Lawyers with hearts – Gold Law Firm Canned Food Drive 2007

We concluded today. We collected 8,973 cans, beating last years total of 8,290 cans by 683!

Micah Snell and What Happened In The Diocese of Los Angeles With His Ordination Process

Micah has written this piece. While I realize that it was the Commission on Ministry, and not Bishop Bruno, who decided not to endorse his candidacy to ordination, the rationale for the same – Micah’s conservatism – is still one that should be noticed and understood.

I would actually go so far as to say that most Bishops, including mine and Bishop Bruno, exercise a great deal more charity to those with whom they disagree on the presenting issues than do activist laity and clergy. Notice the same sex blessings issue was effectively voted down by the House of Bishops prior to GC2003, only to have Deputies pass it and then the bishops. The same, I think, is true of the ordination process at the local level as far as whether orthodox aspirants and postulants will be allowed to progress to ordination – the main obstacle may not be the bishops, who will generally want clergy to match up with their various congregations in their Dioceses – but the Commissions on Ministry and the Standing Committees.

That of course, brings me to my own responsibilities on the Standing Committee of Western Louisiana. I will not write further on that on this blog, but it is safe to say I will be taking this responsibility even more seriously than I did before. I would hope that every reader of this blog would do the same, whether they are serving on a vestry, a discernment committee, a standing committee, a commission on ministry. Using my usual bluntness, please don’t kick problems up-stairs. Deal with them as soon as they come before you. Realize these folks could be bishops one day. The church will be much better off.

Dog Bites Man: Nashotah Graduate Refused Ordination In The Diocese of Los Angeles

From an email from a parishioner of this parish:

Blessed Sacrament is an orthodox parish in the diocese of Los Angeles. With the approval and blessing of the Diocese Commission and our Bishop, J.J. Bruno, our parishioner, Micah Snell entered Nashotah House as a vocationer for ordination to the priesthood. Now he has a letter from Bishop Bruno refusing to ordain him.

From Mr. Snell:

> Friends,
>
> I have received notice that the Rt. Rev. Jon Bruno, Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles, will not ordain me as a priest in his diocese. The deciding factor (according to his letter) was my Candidacy interviews where the diocesan Commission on Ministry found my beliefs and practices incompatible with those of the diocese. The CoM made a negative report and the bishop has embraced their consensus.
>
> At this point only a few more things need be said:
> 1. Jennifer, Elisabeth, and I are very well. The bishop’s decision was not expected but in some ways the timing could not be better.
>
> 2. We have a tremendous amount of support from friends, clergy, and faculty. They uniformly reassure me that I have a vocation and that I will not be stranded. Indeed more offers for help have been given than I could possibly receive.
>
> 3. I have written to Bishop Bruno asking him for clarity and discernment about what I should do next. Greg Herr, the senior warden of Blessed Sacrament Church Placentia has also contacted the bishop though we have yet to receive a response. Fr. David Baumann returns from his retreat this coming week and will in a timely fashion make whatever response he deems appropriate. The bishop’s decision may have significant implications for the parish and other vocationers from the parish. We are looking for a unified and gracious resolution to the situation as a whole, and in that respect it is important that my role not be exaggerated or isolated. If you are tempted to take any sort of action in response to the bishop’s decision I ask that you abstain. His Grace will be made fully aware of the parish’s concerns in due manner.
>
> 4. A lot more could be said. The point of this message is to distribute the key facts of the situation. I have omitted everything not pertinent. Probably you have questions. Some of them will have better answers in the coming weeks. I know you will speculate but I ask that you presume nothing about anyone involved. Please give no one undue cause for grief. More will be said when it is appropriate.
>
> Greg Herr will make an announcement about the bishop’s letter tomorrow (Sunday morning) at both BSC services. He will be available for questions afterward. I am happy to take your questions or concerns and will answer whatever I can.
>
> This message is public and may be shared. The distribution was BCC’d to avoid any potential log-jamming of inboxes.
>
> I remain indubitably yours and His,
> -MWS
>
> –
> Micah takes himself frivolously (and occasionally in the 3rd person) at http://www.UnbridledWarhorse.com.

Well, since that is apparently the criteria in the Diocese of Los Angeles, perhaps the Standing Committee here in Western Louisiana should take a similar view…BLD