The "419 Episcopalians" to lose their priest licenses

[Ian David]

Bonus points to anyone who can tell me why we should call these guys "The 419 Episcopalians."

Breakaway clerics to lose priest licenses
published Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Episcopal leaders are moving to strip clergy members at breakaway conservative churches of their licenses to practice in the Diocese of Virginia.

They warn that such clergy members have six months to reverse their decision to abandon the church before they are removed from the Episcopal ministry. The breakaway churches have cited disagreements with the denomination's liberal views on homosexuality.

Bishop Peter Lee has "inhibited" -- or officially warned -- 21 clergy members from Virginia churches where the majority of congregants have voted in the last year to leave the Episcopal Church, the diocese said Tuesday in a statement.

<snip>

Eleven churches in the diocese, including two of its most prominent, have voted to leave the Episcopal Church and align with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, established by Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola. Four others have voted to join the Church of Uganda.

More:
http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2007/01/24/1

[Deep13]

1. Can't imagine what "419" means.

:shrug:

[Loki]

2. I believe it is in relationship to the internet

scams that originated out of Nigeria. 419 is the number of the penal code in Nigeria that these fell under. Now we have another scam coming out of Nigeria in the person of +Akinola who is subverting the church here in the US

[nealmhughes]

3. From the anti-Nigerian "I am a representative of the late Prince...." scam?

[DURHAM D]

4. Good. n/t

[Geoff R. Casavant]

5. Here's a slim theory re: "419"

I tied googling "419 episcopalians and this is what I deduced from the links. May not be the truth, but it has a lot of truthiness:

1. The priests and churches that are breaking away intend to join up with priests from Nigerian dioceses.

2. Nearly everyone has received those scam emails asking for assistance in moving lots of money for a dignitary of some kind. The nation most often mentioned is Nigeria.

3. Here's the good part -- the section of Nigerian criminal law that makes these illegal is -- you guessed it -- Section 419. The Secret Service, which also investigates computer fraud, even has a "Project 419" set up to investigate such matters.

http://www.wfn.org/2003/07/msg00158.html

So, the use of the "419" not only ties the offending priests to Nigeria, but made the side implication that what they are doing is immoral at the very least.

[Ian David]

6. DUers are SO SMART! n/t

[Geoff R. Casavant]

8. Aw shucks.

Of course, two people beat me to the punch. But I'll take praise in any shape or form.

[xchrom]

7. i guess the 419ers didn't think the ''liberals'' were up for some hardball.

then again -- conservatives always, always make the mistake of underestimating the determination of ''liberals''.

[Solo_in_MD]

9. The schism is going to get ugly

Though the real fight is over the property.

[xchrom]

10. that's fine -- the church will survive.

into every life a little ugly must fall.

[TechBear_Seattle]

11. Every Episcopal priest vows obedience to the bishop

From the Book of Common Prayer (of the Episcopal Church of the United States), page 526:

The Bishop says to the ordinand

Will you be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this Church has received them? And will you, in accordance with the canons of this Church, obey your bishop and other ministers who may have authority over you and your work?

Answer

I am willing and ready to do so; and I solemnly declare that I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church.

(Emphasis added)

Under those canons the priest swears to uphold, the General Convention is the final authority with regards to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church. Since it was the General Convention who authorized the consecration of Gene Robertson as bishop, these dissenters are in direct violation of their holy vows. Inhibition -- that is to say, being stripped of all authority to excercise their priesthood -- is better than they deserve.