Church division is painful

Re “7 Anglican clerics snub U.S. bishop,” Feb. 17

I’m what you would call a cradle-to-the-grave Episcopalian and have been a lay Eucharistic minister for more than 20 years. I love the Episcopal Church and am deeply saddened by the controversial and divisive issues it has faced in recent years. Although Episcopalians rarely discuss evil and Satan, I believe God attempts to unite us in love and Satan tries to divide us. The Book of Common Prayer, concerning the ordination of a bishop, states that a bishop should carry on the work of leading, supervising and uniting the church. Later, the prospective bishop is asked if he or she will guard the faith, unity and discipline of the church. If a bishop, priest, deacon or layperson is in any way creating divisiveness, that person should think long and hard about his or her motives.

JIM KRAUSE

Atascadero, Calif.

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Re “ ‘No talk of schism’ at Anglican conference” and “Anglican angst,” editorial, Feb. 16

What a shame that the main news coming out of the Anglican Church meeting in Tanzania, as reported in your article and editorial, is the division about a gay bishop and a female leader. A hundred years ago, the argument might have been between those who still wanted to justify slavery. Jesus never talked about these subjects; he did, however, lay out very clear instructions as to how we should treat the poor, the meek and the marginalized. I suggest that the mainly African bishops who are so upset with us look to what is happening in their own continent, for instance in Darfur. The first priority of the Anglican Church throughout the world should be to end wars (wherever they are being waged) and to relieve suffering.

PAUL ELDER

Agoura Hills