Life at the Edge of the Furnace
Matt Kennedy+

What should openly Network parishes in revisionist diocese expect after 2006?

No one can really answer that question. But there are six assumptions I believe ACN clergy in hostile diocese should adopt.

1. Assume you will be inhibited and ultimately deposed by your bishop. Whether it happens or not, if you mentally and spiritually accept this possibility threats will not frighten you.

2. Assume that some parishioners who seem solid will begin to break as inter-diocesan pressure mounts. As with any organism, the strongest drive within the parish body is the drive to maintain homeostasis. Change is dangerous. Any break (institutionally or relationally) between you and your diocese will cause even some who agree with you on the merits to align themselves with those who advocate compromise.

3. Assume that you will make a procedural error of some sort that can and most likely will be construed as a violation of canon by a hostile bishop/standing committee. Don’t let such mistakes cow you into surrender out of a misplaced sense of guilt.

4. Assume that you are facing powers and principalities. Are you feeling depressed? Is your family life increasingly marked by discord? Are you being tempted in ways and, to be honest, failing in ways you never imagined? You are under attack, the attacks will intensify. Daily time in prayer and the Word are absolute necessities.

The rest!