I was astonished - and outraged - to read this report.
A SACRILEGIOUS decision by the National Cathedral of the Episcopal Church (the even woker, if t’were possible, estranged American child of the C of E) in Washington to charge $7 per person for attendance at their Christmas Eve Eucharist has provoked a rightful furore in Christian circles.
Payment for church services or to obtain ecclesiastical office is the sin of Simony (see Acts 8:9-23), in which the Grace of God is blasphemously treated as a commercial asset.
. . .
The event in question is not an organ recital, chamber concert or art display for which a small donation would not be inappropriate. No, it is the service of the Eucharist, the Mass, the Lord’s Supper where Jesus manifests Himself in His Body and Blood for salvation of the world. Even to consider charging admission fees to this great feast in which all distinctions of social class, sex, nation, tribe or colour pale into nothingness in the light of the universe-shattering, arras-rending love of Jesus stems from gross spiritual deformity.
There's more at the link.
I entirely agree with the last paragraph quoted above. In fact, I can't help but recall what happened on one occasion when Jesus visited his Temple in Jerusalem. Violence resulted. One wonders whether a repeat visit, this time in the nation's capital, might not be entirely appropriate . . . indeed, a consummation devoutly to be wished upon those who approved this travesty of faith.
Peter
I couldn't believe it either...sigh
ReplyDeleteThe Episcopalians haven't been Christian for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteEpiscopalians.
ReplyDeleteHow low can they go?
ReplyDeleteSo betraying Christ is only worth $7, or do they expect to make a killing on volume?
ReplyDeleteThe National Cathedral charges admission just to go on a tour to see the inside, if I recollect correctly. I'm told the inside is beautiful, though I think they recently had some stained glass removed that had some indirect association with the Confederacy. Woke asshole history-erasers.
ReplyDeleteAny "National Cathedral" is a violation of the US Constitution, on the face of it.
ReplyDelete"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." in the First Amendment is pretty obviously being blatantly violated here, and has been since ever.
Like many things that never should have happened, the land it sits on and the "National" Cathedral should be sold off to private entities, at cost plus interest as the bottom bid, and the monies received refunded to the federal treasury.
If the auction bid doesn't meet that level of funding, raze it to the ground, recycle the stone, and make it a park.
it never should have been built with a single dollar of taxpayer money, nor given a single square centimeter of federal land, and the only excuse for its existence is profound mental retardation, or deliberate criminal malfeasance.
America is not anybody's theocracy, nor was ever intended to be such.
Therefore the American government has no business running a church. Any church.
Ever.
Change my mind.
Re: the Epicopalian National Cathedral, what the Episcopalians do with their churches is their own internal problem, and between them and God.
ReplyDeleteUsed to be one, as a teen.
ReplyDeleteLeft over the lack of Christianity among the members of the church we attended.
Then they went Fng nuts.
John in Indy
Jesus is not present in the wine or bread. That is paganism as well as denying His death was the complete propitulation for mankind's sin.
ReplyDeleteThe collection plate must be doing badly if they now need to charge up front. How terribly sad.
ReplyDeleteA number of Episcopal churches left and formed the Anglican Church North America (ACNA, not affiliated with the C of E). The Episcopal Church, like so many mainline denominations, decided man's way was better than God's and started making it up as they wanted. ACNA said, "Nope. Infallible Word of God means just what it says." We're not perfect, and we know we can't live up to God's standards. But we try as best we can, and beg forgiveness when we inevitably fall short. It is sad that so many choose the easier path of lowering their standards.
ReplyDeleteMen of God, you have known of the falling away. Now you are seeing it.
ReplyDeleteThe harvest is plenty, the workers are few.
May be a work-around to keep the homeless from flooding in for the service. If that's the case, it leaves me torn.
ReplyDeleteI'm not. All should have the chance to come worship the Lord--even if they're stinky and unpleasant to look at.
DeleteThe National Cathedral is just what it's called by the media. It isn't a part of, or owned by the federal government. So calm your tits, Aesop.
ReplyDeleteI think past POTUSs' used to go there for photo ops a lot. It's in Georgetown, so fairly close to the White House. It gets used for state funerals for former POTUSs. Some POTuS have used it for a Presidential prayer service after inauguration. I'm sure they charge plenty for using it for such things.
Its official name is the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.
It’s a nice place to visit but….. I have a photo I took there a few years ago where a bottle of water there cost twice what a can of Coke did. Fascinating place. Didn’t know it had any religious connections….
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised, as a Episcopalian of 20 year (now Eastern Orthodox 18 years(has it been that long?)). I look at the Episcopalian Organization now as I do my crazy ex-girlfriend: yep, still crazy, still glad she's my ex, even as it saddens me that she has gone down that path.
ReplyDeleteI still have "relatives in the old country" which saddens me even more.
Even so, "Lord, have mercy on your servants."
Then it isn't the "National" cathedral, is it, MYOB?
ReplyDeleteJust another fraud by religious hucksters.
Like that's never happened before.
Everyone in DC calls it the National Cathedral. And I mean everyone. It's local terminology. Just like when people say Arlington, and they mean the national cemetery and not the whole city of Arlington. As far as I know, the actual church governors don't call it the National Cathedral for official purposes. Your ire is misdirected.
ReplyDeleteUnless the church has apostolic succession, there is no Eucharist.
ReplyDeleteThat leaves the Catholics, the Orthodox, and a smattering of sedevacantists.
Protestants are just playing "church."
Clearly, you haven't experienced a visit to evangelical church. Never a cover charge, but at least 3 calls for donations, the ever important Tithe, the giving from your heart because the Tithe is a law from God, and naturally a "gift" for the pastor or visiting pastor!
ReplyDeleteQuote: "Any "National Cathedral" is a violation of the US Constitution, on the face of it."
ReplyDeleteThat is funny, because it is not "The National Cathedral of the Federal Church". It is a privately built, owned, and named Cathedral of the ECUSA ("Episcopalian Church of the United State of America.")
It is called by them _The National Cathedral_ because it was built by them _in_ the Nation's Capital. It is no more an Establishment of Religion than the Wall Street Market's closing early on Good Friday.