The answer to this question is both yes and no. As most of us know, the word “episcopal” is merely the adjectival form of the word “bishop.” This term was originally used to describe a church’s hierarchical structure, but the common use of this word today is usually employed to describe the Episcopal Church USA. We are an “episcopal” church in that we adhere to the ancient and Apostolic form of Church governance and polity. Also, we are an “Episcopal” Church in that we use the traditional Book of Common Prayer (the American 1928 edition), which is one of the single greatest literary contributions of the Anglican Church. We share a very similar heritage with the Episcopal Church USA; however, many innovations over the past few decades have made it a necessary matter of conscience for us to disassociate with that body. Though many of our friends, neighbors, and family members belong to this Church we are not members of the Episcopal Church USA.

These are two words within the English lexicon that are sorely misunderstood by most people. This is due largely in part because of (believe it or not) World War II. It was at this time that the military began to issue what has come to be known as “Dog Tags.” These are the aluminum identification tags worn around the necks of all uniformed men and women of the American armed forces. On these “dog tags” are an individual’s name, branch of service, blood type, etc. Also included is the optional “religious preference.” During World War II there were but two options: Catholic or Protestant. The theory at this time was that if you were not Roman Catholic then you had to be Protestant. The word “Catholic” has its origins in the Greek language, but was adopted early on by the Church in the Latin speaking West. This word simply means “throughout the whole,” i.e., universal- “That which is accepted everywhere and by al” according to St. Vincent of Lerins. The East used the word “Orthodox” to describe themselves, and this simply means, “right thinking,” i.e., traditional. Up until 1054 AD the Catholic West and the Orthodox East were united as One Church (with the exception of a few temporary separations). Naturally, the Catholics and the Orthodox claimed to possess the truth over their disagreement that lead to the split. The Catholics maintained the Papacy, and the Orthodox settled matters of faith in councils attended by the Church’s bishops just as the Church had done prior to the schism. So, back to the original question, is St. James a Catholic or Evangelical Church? It is Catholic in the ancient and undivided understanding of the word. It is true that the Roman Catholic Church has a different understanding of the word “Catholic” today, but it is our firm belief that our use of the word “Catholic” is more accurate and more closely emulates those Christians that were first known as Catholics. We are Evangelical in that we, like all Christian peoples, seek the true Word of God. Thus, we must say that Saint James practices the Catholic Faith in its Anglican expression – Anglo Catholic.

To answer this question, it is best to look at it from an historical point of view as in the previous two questions. Therefore, to answer this question better, let’s ask another question. Where does this question come from? This entire issue comes from our sense of justice. Women can do anything that men can do, so, why not let them be priests, acolytes, or lay readers? This sounds reasonable enough. We live in a nation that is the freest in the world, a place where opportunity abounds for everyone. The first problem with this scenario should be obvious. The Church is not a nation, and the second problem is that our sinful and frail nature obscures our judgment as to exactly what is “Divine Justice.” In all of God’s salvation history, there is not one single instance of there being a female priest of God. Both Christianity and Judaism during biblical times have known of priestesses in pagan religions, yet God in His Divine Wisdom has chosen only men to be His iconic representation at the altar. The Church has never made it a practice to actively recruit men for the priesthood; rather, the Church has gone about this in passive ways. One way in which the Church passively recruits for the priesthood is to invite boys and men to serve at Her altar. This is a solemn duty for those who feel called to such a ministry. All understand that this duty of assisting at the altar is not a “show,” but it is rather the serious business of being instruments of God that leads to the edification of souls. We at Saint James are grieved that some have used this issue to be divisive and to vilify God’s Holy Church as a patriarchal institution with misogynist intentions. This could not be further from the truth. Make no mistake about it; women play a vital role in the Church’s mission of spreading the Gospel. We invite all, regardless of gender, age, race, and socioeconomic condition, to come to the full realization of God’s grace and mercy

The single most obvious problem with this question is that it assumes that worship at Saint James is boring. We believe that the parishioners here would disagree heartily with that assumption. It is true that worship is orderly; the music consists of traditional hymns and Anglican chant, all of which is very beautiful. Saint James, nonetheless, is a traditional parish. We believe, as the Church has for some time now that worship is not entertainment. While at worship we believe that we are truly in the presence of God, and as Scripture tells us: O, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of Him (Psalm 46: 9). Why would one want to clap hands, stomp feet, scream and shout, in the house of the Lord when we would not dream of behaving this way when invited to our neighbors house? The house of the Lord (the church) is a place where we can come to solemnly reflect inwardly on our very souls. It is a place where many people come to do this. We must give them, and most importantly God, the utmost respect. The Divine Liturgy (the order of the Church Service) is an orderly rite full of ceremony. This is how the Church has worshiped since the beginning. In each prayer and in each action in the liturgy we all learn something more about God. In the fact that our worship is structured, for example, we learn that God too is structured and orderly. God is not a god of chaos; He is the God of the universe who created the orderly laws of nature such as physics and chemistry. Our worship allows for us to come to a better understanding of God’s nature. When we can more fully understand this, then we know how to order our lives around His will. For this is how the Saints of God have lived their lives on earth—lives ordered around God’s will. This is ultimately the mission of the Church—to make saints of her members.

Here is another terrible misunderstanding by many people. The entire controversy surrounding this issue is grounded merely in semantics. In numerous plays by William Shakespeare and other authors of his era, the phrase, “I pray thee…” occurs very often. No divine praise is assumed in these instances, rather in contemporary language we would say something like, “I implore you” or something else to that effect. The assumption is that our members render divine praise to such people as the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Francis, and other historical and heroic members of the Church. The reality is that these Saints are merely asked (or implored) for their prayers on our behalf. As Christians we all believe in the power of prayer. Exactly how quantifiable that prayer is we do not know, but we do know that it is powerful nonetheless. No Christian man or woman would be insulted when asked for his or her prayers. We pray for one another regularly. Then why is it that some become offended when we ask someone such as the Blessed Virgin Mary to pray for us? Is she not alive and well in the presence of God? We say unequivocally YES she is as are all of God’s saints. And, we have the Holy Hope that through the mercy of God we too will be with them one day. We at St. James hope that this literature was helpful to you. And, we always invite additional questions and comments. Please accept our humble invitation to come and worship with us. And, please feel free to contact us anytime should you have any needs for a priest. May God always bless you richly.