Papist conversion: Episcopal Bishop of SW FL John Lipscomb

An open letter was published today by the episcopal bishop of southwest Florida John Lipscomb:

I have communicated to the Presiding Bishop my request to be released from my ordination vows and the obligations and responsibilities of a member of the House of Bishops. I have taken this step in order to be received into the Catholic Church. Through a long season of prayer and reflection Marcie and I have come to believe this is the leading of the Holy Spirit and God’s call to us for the next chapter of our lives...

... I have a deep love for the sacramental life, most especially the Eucharistic sacrifice through which God continues to pour his grace into our lives in the Word that needs no words.

... I believe God is now calling us to continue our ministry to serve in the healing of the visible Body of Christ in the world. I am convinced our Lord’s deepest desire is for the unity of the Church.

[Read full letter.]

While praying for John (as well as his wife and family) and rejoicing in his intention to join the Catholic Church, I just point out that the open letter misses several opportunities to witness to his episcopal brethren concerning his reasons for joining the Church.

His description of his devotion to the eucharist (only the true sacrament gets a capitalized 'E'), for example, would have been a prime opportunity, and while it is true that the Lord desires the unity of the Church, he also desires personal unity with each human being, and he has also revealed that this personal union is best sought in and through the visible structure of the Catholic Church. This strikes me as a more fundamental reason to convert to Catholicism.

Furthermore, ending your open letter with a Thomas Merton poem that begins "My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going" isn't the most inspirational choice. I think it's clear that John Lipscomb at least knows where he isn't staying, and has some inkling where he is going, else he wouldn't put himself through the drama of a highly-public conversion.

[And do realize that these observations in no way detract from a) my joy at his decision and b) my fervent prayers for him and his family and c) my admiration of his honesty and bravery.]

The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida has a statement. Lipscomb's successor is quoted as saying "I am pleased that [Lipscomb] and Marcie have found their place of spiritual solace."

The diocese of SW Florida (see map) contains 79 congregations and about 35,000 members.

As background, a 2003 article published by the St. Petersburg Times notes that "From the start, Bishop John B. Lipscomb has been at the forefront of the fight against the ordination of the American Episcopal Church's first openly gay bishop." Also: "Lipscomb has been vocal about opposing what he views as the Episcopal church's slide away from scriptural teachings."

Here's another interesting quote: "I have said consistently that I have no interest in leaving the Episcopal Church or the Anglican Communion and I have no intention of leading this diocese out of the Episcopal Church," he said." Well, (we should all) thank God intentions can change.

In Februrary, The Tampa Tribune did an extensive article on John Lipscomb that I found very illuminating. Some excerpts:

The way John Bailey Lipscomb sees it, he got his miracles on the front end of life.

It was 1950, a time when society shunned unwed mothers and technology saved few premature babies. Lipscomb came into this world way too early, a 41/2-pound preemie born to a young woman who gave him up for reasons he never knew.

"Why I wasn't aborted or why I didn't die in the hospital, I can only owe to God," he says. "I got a real double blessing right from the start." Maybe that's why Lipscomb, 57, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida since 1997, doesn't bemoan the double-whammy that hit toward the back end of life.

In 2002, he learned he had Parkinson's disease. Then, three years ago during a mission trip to Africa, he contracted malaria. Both are chronic conditions that can worsen over time.

Wow, that's alot to have on one's plate. It may also explain the acceleration of his plans to enter the Church. The story also mentions that he recently went back to school at Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Indiana to complete a doctorate in theology. I'm guessing that the extra studies didn't hurt his interest in the Catholic Church. The article also mentions John Lipscbom suggesting someone "organize a 30th anniversary celebration of the ordination of women in the Episcopal Church."

Yes, conversion takes time, and never occurs in a vacuum. All the more reason to keep him in our prayers.

And for the further-interested, the Tampa Tribune article also has a short interview.

Thanks to Michael Lewis for the tip. Amy has also posted on this story.