July 28, 2008

Archbishop Sean Cardinal O’Malley

Archdiocese of Boston

 66 Brooks Drive

 Braintree, MA 02184

Dear Archbishop O’Malley, fellow clergy, and our Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ,

We want to write to share our sorrow over the schismatic event staged by “Womenpriests” recently in Boston. We are particularly saddened that representatives of our denomination, the United Church of Christ, should have sanctioned and facilitated this demonstration. Please accept our deepest and sincere apology for the behavior of Rev. Nancy Taylor of Old South Church, UCC and the UCC related Church of the Covenant. They do not reflect the heart and mind of our United Church of Christ whose premise is “that all may be one.” Those of us who truly value the unity of all Christians and treasure our ecumenical relationships with you as Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ are grieved.

We are also fully aware that this event was not motivated by a sincere desire to honor the call of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit on the ministry of committed Christian women. We know that “Womenpriests” openly include candidates who are engaged in the practice of sexual license. It is significant that the participants would not take the vow of obedience or chastity.  We are aware of the statements on their website proclaiming a false gospel of self and mutual affirmation, denying the fall of humanity and our need for repentance from sin and personal transformation through the atoning crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are reminded in this situation of the powerful words of Pope Benedict XVI addressed to our own church leaders several weeks ago, “Too often those who are not Christians, as they observe the splintering of Christian communities, are understandably confused about the Gospel message itself. Fundamental Christian beliefs and practices are sometimes changed within communities by so-called "prophetic actions" that are based on a hermeneutic not always consonant with the datum of Scripture and Tradition.”

We note that it is not incidental that this event was hosted in Boston by a church that is prideful about its aggressive religious sanction of homosexual, bi-sexual and transgender relationship and same gender “marriage.” We also note that the pansexual activist group Integrity participated and assisted with hospitality.

These are difficult and painful times for those of us who love the church. We pray for you and with you that we will see a powerful renewal of faith in our region through the work of the Holy Spirit in our time, and we appreciate your efforts to be faithful in an era of unfaithfulness.

In the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rev. David Runnion-Bareford

                                                            Executive Director,       Biblical Witness Fellowship

            a confessing movement in the

            United Church of Christ since 1978