Swine Flu Preparedness

The newest variation of the Flu, the Swine Flu, has been receiving a remarkable amount of press in the past few days. According to the Associated Press, two days ago President Obama said that the outbreak may be cause for some concern but is not yet cause for alarm. See the full article here. As of today, the World Health Organization (WHO) seems to concur with President Obama. Daily updates on the worldwide situation are posted on the WHO swine flu website, along with other helpful information.

We in the Episcopal Church need to be prepared both for the best and worst case scenario in this, just as we need to be prepared in other threats. If down the road the swine flu does become a cause for alarm, we must be ready to be the face of hope and the force for good that we are called to be. In the spirit of this mission, Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) has collected some informative and helpful resources on the swine flu and what to look out for. To stay informed, follow this link to their comprehensive listings.

RHODE ISLAND SEMINARIAN RECEIVES TACHAU AWARD

Alexandria, VA (April 27, 2009) – The Jean B. Tachau Memorial Biblical Languages Prize for study at St. George’s College in Jerusalem, was awarded today to second-year student, Patrick Greene (Diocese of Rhode Island.) The award is given each year in recognition of academic excellence and proficiency in the study of the Biblical languages of Hebrew and Greek.

“Virginia Seminary has seen the study of scripture and Biblical languages as central to its mission of raising up leaders for the church to ‘go into all the world and preach the Gospel,’” said the Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, dean and president of Virginia Seminary.

The Jean B. Tachau Memorial Biblical Languages Prize was established 1992 by the Venerable Archdeacon Charles B. Tachau, VTS ’63, in memory of his mother, Jean B. Tachau. At the end of each academic year, the Prize is awarded to second-year students preparing for Holy Orders who have shown the most progress or proficiency in the study of the Biblical languages of Hebrew and/or Greek. The award provides financial support for study at St. George’s College in Jerusalem or for independent travel and study of biblical languages in the Holy Land.

Founded in 1823, Virginia Theological Seminary is the largest of the 11 accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church. The school prepares men and women for service in the Church worldwide, both as ordained and lay ministers, and offers a number of professional degree programs and diplomas. Currently, the Seminary represents more than 42 different dioceses and 5 different countries, for service in the Church.

Media Contact: Susan Shillinglaw
Tel: 703-461-1764 www.vts.edu

Bishop Wolf on NPR and the evening news

Yesterday, April 2nd 2009, Bishop Wolf Interviewed with NPR as well as Channel 10 and Channel 12 news, regarding the deposition of Ann Holmes Redding. If you missed the broadcasts, watch and listen to them here!

• Listen to NPR's Interview with Ann Holmes Redding and Bishop Wolf http://kuow.org/program.php?id=17255
  
• Watch Channel 10's video of the Bishop http://www.turnto10.com/jar/special_sections/ap_video
  
• Watch Channel 12's video of the Bishop http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/local_wpri_providence_episcopal_priest_defrocked_practicing_muslim_20090401
  

Also, for a well written article on the issue, read what reporter Janet Tu wrote for the Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008961581_webdefrocked01m.html

Bishop Wolf Deposes Ann Holmes Redding

Effective April 1, 2009, The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf, Bishop of the Diocese of Rhode Island, deposed Ann Holmes Redding as a priest in the Episcopal Church. Dr. Redding lives in the Diocese of Olympia Washington, but was canonically resident in the Diocese of Rhode Island, where she was under the authority of Bishop Wolf. The determination came after a process lasting nearly twenty-one months.

In June 2007, the Diocese of Rhode Island learned of a public profession of adherence to the Muslim faith by Dr. Redding. Bishop Wolf conferred with Dr. Redding who acknowledged taking her Shahadah to become a Muslim. Bishop Wolf then issued a Pastoral Direction to Dr. Redding, directing her to undertake a period of one year for discernment of her faith commitment. After the agreed upon period, the status of Dr. Redding was considered by the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Rhode Island.

The Standing Committee determined that Dr. Redding had abandoned the Communion of the Episcopal Church, within the meaning of the Canons of the Church, by her formal admission into a religious body not in Communion with the Episcopal Church. The Bishop affirmed that determination and issued an inhibition prohibiting Dr. Redding from exercising the gifts and spiritual authority conferred on her by Episcopal Ordination, and from public ministry.

The Inhibition continued until March 31, 2009 during which time Dr. Redding had the opportunity to withdraw, or issue a notice of intention to withdraw, from the Muslim faith. Dr. Redding also had the opportunity to renounce her orders. Dr. Redding did neither and, under the Canons of the Church, Bishop Wolf was required to consider deposing Dr. Redding.

Bishop Wolf found Dr. Redding to be a woman of utmost integrity and their conversations over the past two years have been open, honest and respectful. However, Bishop Wolf believes that a priest of the Church cannot be both a Christian and a Muslim. Consequently, as a result of the abandonment of the Communion of the Episcopal Church, Bishop Wolf imposed a sentence of deposition in accordance with the Canons of the Church.