A spin better than a twister

As you probably know by now, Mr Armgstrong has pleaded "no contest" to a charge of grand theft. Armstrong is one of the favourites of the schismatics in ACNA. As soon as the deal was announced, the spin started over on a virtueless site. Even I startled by their hybris and unmitigated bravado this time.

 

We believe that the courts are not the place to deal with theological differences, and that to have allowed this dispute to continue to be played out in the news by going to trial would have served only to diminish all Christian witness. With this plea offer now in place such further harm to the entire church in this already difficult age for Christianity will be prevented. [Emphasis added]

Even now , after the favored son has admitted he stole the money ("no contest" is an admission of guilt without having to say the words) they are still portraying him as the martyr maximus of the "theologically persecuted."

 

The truth is, of course, they don't want the courts to deal with the matter. The scrutiny of the legal system will cause their church of cards to collapse and expose them as the deceitful pirates that they are. They would have been tarred and feathered in the public eye and their martyr card would be revoked.

 

Now, be sitting down before you read this next quote:

We further believe the disparity between the magnitude of charges made against Father Armstrong by the Episcopal Diocese and the final content of the plea agreement vindicates not only Father Armstrong, but also clearly affirms our confidence that we ran an effective and well managed church in our days at the helm of Grace & St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, and continue to do so at St. George's Anglican Church.

So, if we believe the spin, Armstrong sacrificed himself (but only .00001 percent)  to keep the judicial system from dealing with the theology of the schismatics and to prove he and the schismatic thieves were really honest?

I tell you, Walt Disney on LSD couldn't have created fantasy as good as this. I had decided not to comment on Armstrong's admission of theft, but the spin wouldn't let me remain silent.

Dan Martins elected bishop of Springfield

Dan Martins has beenelected bishop of Springfield. I wonder how long before we hear that they are preparing to steal the silver and flee to ACNA? I wonder, will he get the necessary consents? If I were a bishop, I'd not consent to his election.

Armstrong pleads "No contest" to theft charges.

Sometimes I sit on a story because I just don't want to post it. This is one such story. Thanks to the Lead for reporting it so I can just comment and send you over there for the read.

One of ACNA's poster boys has pleaded no contest to felony theft charges.  The Rev. Don Arrnstrong had long contended he would be proven innocent of charges. That has not proven to be the case.

 

Armstrong had claimed the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado had trumped up the charges and the true nature of the dispute was rooted in theological differences. Martyn Minns and Peter Akinola immediately accepted Armstrong and his congregation into CANA even while threat of state criminal prosecution hung over Armstrong.

This is a sad day for the church universal. So many people have been wounded because of this man's actions. Read more at the Lead.

South Carolina prepares to fire first shot

The Diocese of South Carolina is preparing the road to thinking they can leave The Episcopal Church (TEC). Are we surprised? Bishop Lawrence has long been known as a person of suspect integrity who has repeatedly obfuscated his plans to lead the diocese out of TEC.

Resolved that Article I of the Diocese of South Carolina is hereby amended to read as follows: The Church in the Diocese of South Carolina accedes to and adopts the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. and acknowledges this authority accordingly.

Here is an interesting bit that is added in the resolution explanation.

In the event that any provision of the Constitution of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America is inconsistent with, or contradictory to, the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, the Constitution and Canons of this Diocese shall prevail..

Read the whole resolution here.