Thanks to The Mole Hole for a heads up on this one.
Episcopal Life Online reports that the Episcopal Church of the USA is going to apologize for slavery:
[Episcopal News Service] A two-day solemn observance has been planned for October 3-4 at the historic African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where the Episcopal Church will take a monumental step and publicly apologize for its involvement in the institution of transatlantic slavery. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will serve as celebrant and preacher at the October 4 service of repentance.<
Bishop Shori’s presence at/in the service presumably means that she is apologizing as well. Now, she, of course, has never owned anyone. But as the P.B., she presumably feels it is her duty to represent the entire American Church in this apology.
We note the word ‘repentance’ in the paragraph quoted above.
We think we recall that real apology requires repentance, or feeling sorry that one has done the act being repented, and also the determination not to do that act any more. Or, in other words, to change the relevant behavior pattern.
We think it is at least a bit awkward that in this case of repentance, the P.B. has never committed the act she is repenting; that consequently she cannot stop doing it, inasmuch as she has never done it; and that she can therefore not change her pre-repentant behavior.
We thus fail to see how this act on her part can be anything but an act of utter hypocrisy.
And the same goes for any part of the ECUSA that engages in similar apologies.
All of which leads us to the greater question of the growing irrelevancy of certain of our institutions, national or otherwise.
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2 comments:
Repentance? I was so flustered over the whole subject that this word didn't even register. And it only adds to the fallacy.
I like your comment and insight on the national institution aspect. It is an interesting way to look at this continual erosion of trust that I feel for our Church leaders. Thankfully, there is still much relevance in this Church for me at the community level and with those that we worship with every week. Maybe that’s what really matters the most. I will give this more thought. Thanks!
You don't have to commit the act in the first place to be sorry or repentant. In fact the real meaning of the word is more along the lines of having a "change of mind"...nothing to do with stopping a behaviour. You are missing the point. Anyone who wants to apologise (even on behalf of another generation) should be praised not rubbished and nit-picked!!! Come on people!
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