AboutJohn White Expertise I am an active lay member of the Church. I will discuss the history of our church, what we believe, how we worship, and issues of practical faith. Any serious question will receive a serious reply.
Experience
I am a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church in the United States. I am interested the history and mission of the churches in many nations that comprise the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Expert: John White Date: 6/5/2008 Subject: Holy Rites/Church Hierarchy
Question I have a two part question. I'm not Anglican, so I am curious.
1)Our local Episcopalian church has two services. One is early and is the Holy Eucharist, Rite I. The other later service is the Holy Eucharist, Rite II. What's the difference?
2)Specifically about the ECUSA, is there a system of authority regarding specific dioceses and parishes? The point of my question is that with the recent controversy over the ordination of an openly gay priest in a relationship, if the ECUSA were to decide in favor of allowing such ordinations, would individual parishes be required to recognize those ordinations?
Thanks!
Answer Rite I is the "traditional" language, closer to the 1926 and earlier language, full of the "thee's and thou's", reminiscent (somewhat) of the original Elizabethan Prayer Book. Rite II is more modern language. But both rites follow a similar order of service, and contain the same basic liturgies. You can view the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer online. Just Google "Book of Common Prayer" and you will find several sites that republish the full prayer book with all of its services.
The Episcopal Church at present does not prohibit the ordination of gay persons, celibate or in relationship. It is up to the bishop of each diocese, and the diocesan convention of each diocese, to determine if it is the policy of the diocese to accept such priests or to ordain individuals. So there is freedom of conscience given to bishops within their jurisdiction. But it is the policy of the national church not to discriminate in the ordination process.
