A Godly Man and True: Daniel Martins

Bishop Martins of Springfield

For some time, I've been following the thought provoking blog of one of the Communion Partner Bishops, The Right Reverend Daniel Martins of Springfield, Illinois.  He first came to my notice at the recommendation of Fr. David Halt, a priest in the Diocese of Springfield and an old Army buddy.  

Over the last few years, it has been increasingly difficult to function with integrity as a traditionalist in mainline American protestantism.  Creedal Faith is almost regularly redefined and often the authority of Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition is rejected outright in favor of personal feelings and "individual evolving truth" (whatever that means.)    For many of us in the Communion Partner Movement http://www.communionpartners.org/, Bishop Martins is proving a real inspiration and source of leadership, especially in light of the departure of the Diocese of South Carolina from the Episcopal Church.

A few months back, Title IV disciplinary charges were brought against Bishop Martins and several other bishops after they expressed theological opinions about the nature of the church in civil court cases outside their dioceses.  In the past few days, the results of the "conciliation process" were released http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=17294.

Many have criticised Bishop Martins for signing the conciliation document.  It is easy to condemn a brother in the first flush of anger, but I believe that he, and the others charged, have prayerfully done what they believe is the best for their dioceses and for the ministry to which they are called.  Bishop Martins' response to his critics can be found at http://cariocaconfessions.blogspot.com/ in his March 10th, 2013 posting, entitled "Conciliation."

Daniel, Right Reverend Father in God, know that one dinosaur here in Southern Ohio appreciates the difficulty of your situation, and your faithfulness to God in the midst of that situation. May God bless you, and give you wisdom and strength to keep the faith received.

Sincerely,
Bill Pursley+
Communion Partner Rector 

PS: You can follow the Bishop's thoughts at http://cariocaconfessions.blogspot.com/ and at http://movingdiagonally.blogspot.com/.