Post by jadedsage on Nov 14, 2004 21:28:37 GMT -5
Associated Press
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. - Two Episcopal priests who led Druidic activity will not be suspended, said a bishop, who blamed the local scandal on conservative groups out to destabilize the Episcopal Church USA.
The Rev. William Melnyk and his wife, the Rev. Glyn Ruppe-Melnyk, had participated only in "exploratory thinking" with Druid circles as students of pre-Christian Celtic spirituality, said Bishop Charles E. Bennison, leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.
But his discussions with the couple, he said, convinced him that they had not led any Druid groups or joined nature-worshiping Druid rites.
"They made a small error of judgment that has been very costly to their ministry and their church, and the church at large," Bennison said Tuesday.
Melnyk resigned Saturday as rector of St. James' Church in Downingtown, after a parish board asked him to step down. His wife remains rector of St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Malvern.
The couple's involvement in Druidism came to light last month after the Episcopal Church's women's ministry listed two of the couple's Druidic liturgies on its Web site for possible use in developing feminist liturgies. The church removed the liturgies, but several Christian groups and private Web sites accused the church of promoting pagan rites. The church denied it.
Last week, the Melnyks wrote letters of apology, saying they "recanted and repudiated" their Druid connection, and that their goal had been to reach out to marginal Christians.
Bennison said he would send the couple written reprimands.
The Washington-based conservative Institute on Religion and Democracy alerted Christian media to the online rites, and aimed "to intimidate people in our church ... who would think out of the box," Bennison said.
Erik Nelson, research associate for the institute's Episcopal Action Project, said he was surprised Bennison "would continue to defend (the two priests) when they repented and admitted it was wrong."
Ruppe-Melnyk, reached at her church Tuesday, said, "We are just trying to keep from escalating an unfortunate and misrepresented situation."
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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, www.philly.com
DOWNINGTOWN, Pa. - Two Episcopal priests who led Druidic activity will not be suspended, said a bishop, who blamed the local scandal on conservative groups out to destabilize the Episcopal Church USA.
The Rev. William Melnyk and his wife, the Rev. Glyn Ruppe-Melnyk, had participated only in "exploratory thinking" with Druid circles as students of pre-Christian Celtic spirituality, said Bishop Charles E. Bennison, leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.
But his discussions with the couple, he said, convinced him that they had not led any Druid groups or joined nature-worshiping Druid rites.
"They made a small error of judgment that has been very costly to their ministry and their church, and the church at large," Bennison said Tuesday.
Melnyk resigned Saturday as rector of St. James' Church in Downingtown, after a parish board asked him to step down. His wife remains rector of St. Francis-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church in Malvern.
The couple's involvement in Druidism came to light last month after the Episcopal Church's women's ministry listed two of the couple's Druidic liturgies on its Web site for possible use in developing feminist liturgies. The church removed the liturgies, but several Christian groups and private Web sites accused the church of promoting pagan rites. The church denied it.
Last week, the Melnyks wrote letters of apology, saying they "recanted and repudiated" their Druid connection, and that their goal had been to reach out to marginal Christians.
Bennison said he would send the couple written reprimands.
The Washington-based conservative Institute on Religion and Democracy alerted Christian media to the online rites, and aimed "to intimidate people in our church ... who would think out of the box," Bennison said.
Erik Nelson, research associate for the institute's Episcopal Action Project, said he was surprised Bennison "would continue to defend (the two priests) when they repented and admitted it was wrong."
Ruppe-Melnyk, reached at her church Tuesday, said, "We are just trying to keep from escalating an unfortunate and misrepresented situation."
---
Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, www.philly.com