Before I came to this Parish, the matter of the larger visible unity of Christ's Church was layed before the Anglican Church in America, and the world-wide Traditional Anglican Communion. Indeed, it is our Lord's prayer that the unity of His Church be such as to make the world believe that He is the Messiah. Such unity, after centuries of fractures and divisions, could not come about without humble acts of reconciliation; but these can only be effective if done in obedience to Christ.

Since all the TAC bishops signed a letter of petition to Rome in October, 2007, movement has been slow and steady. In October 2009, Pope Benedict issued an Apostolic Constitution, inviting Anglicans to keep their heritage of worship, which he treasures, in full Communion with the See of Peter.

Not everyone sees this matter in the same light. But as Christians, we are called to conduct ourselves in charity and love. We are to proceed with prayer, seeking God's Will, not our own. We seek clarity from the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promised to us.

On Passion Sunday, April 10, I have invited Fr William Bower, well known to this parish, to visit, and to speak at a Parish Forum after the Solemn Mass. I invite parishioners with all views also to speak, in an orderly and charitable atmosphere of mutual respect and forbearance.

Listening to your Vestry, I have accepted their deliberations, and settled with them on Sunday, May 1, the Octave of Easter, as the date for a formal parish vote on this matter. As this vote is a matter of individual conscience, no proxy voting will be permitted. However, provision will be made for absentees, so that the mind of the parish may be discerned.

In Christ, Fr. Christopher Kelley, Rector
Saint Mary of the Angels Church
Hollywood, CA.