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AN INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP WANTLAND, OHIO CELEBRANT
Bishop William Wantland, retired bishop of Eau Claire, now lives in Oklahoma. He is a long-time FIF/NA Council Member and FIF/NA Chancellor. He was chosen to be the Celebrant at the historic Confirmation Service for the “Ohio Cluster” of parishes on March 14, 2004.
forwardNOW! interviewed the Bishop shortly after the event.
•forwardNOW! - How were the Bishops chosen to provide the “Ohio cluster” with these “emergency measures” this past Sunday? Who did the asking? Do you think that this will give other bishops courage to step out and repeat this in other parts of the country? How important is it that an overseas bishop be a part of these actions.
Bishop Wantland: Several of us were asked to be a part of this effort, and the initial request came from St. Luke's Church, Akron, in concert with five other congregations. I was asked if I knew other senior bishops who might take part. There were five of us available, and several more who wanted to take part, but were already committed for March 14. I do think this will encourage others to take part in the future, should this be necessary. I am not sure it is essential to have overseas bishops present, but Bishop Cavalcanti wanted to be a part of this historic occasion.
forwardNOW: With your legal background, do you fear any reprisals or hostility from the House of Bishops meeting on March 19-25? From any other group?
Bishop Wantland: While reprisals may well come from revisionist bishops, I don't know of a one of us who fears such action. I would not be surprised to see the ViaMedia groups trying to make presentations, or possibly Integrity.
forwardNOW: Will one of you be appointed as an on-going spiritual overseer of the “Ohio cluster?”
Bishop Wantland: We did discuss an ongoing relationship with the six congregations, but I am not sure how that will be handled at present. There will be further discussion with involved parties in the near future.
forwardNOW: Since Forward in Faith has chosen to partner with the American Anglican Council and is a member convocation of the “Network,” what do you say to those FIF/NA members who fear that we have compromised our principles to associate with groups that ordain women? Are we still able to “commit to the Church's historic position on Holy Orders as an integral ingredient for the realignment of orthodox Christianity and the Anglican tradition” as Fr. Moyer says?
Bishop Wantland: If I am not mistaken, FiF/NA claims to be a part of the Anglican Communion, which includes groups that ordain women. If one wishes to be entirely free of any such association, then one must join Rome or Orthodoxy and leave the Anglican Communion. I would hope that it would not be necessary to refer to the fact that FiF/NA has its own Convocation in the Network; that the Network Charter recognizes our right to proclaim our understanding of ordained ministry; that the Network is committed to an in-depth study of the question (something ECUSA has never done); and that we were a part of the study of this question done by AMiA, resulting in a decision NOT to ordain women to the priesthood or episcopate. Our situation is so much better in the Network than at present in ECUSA, with our right to proclaim our understanding of Apostolic Ministry fully assured. To refuse to work with those who support us, even if they do not yet agree with us, is short-sighted and dangerous.
forwardNOW: Some parishes and clergy are intentionally not talking about the events of the wider church in order to “protect” and “isolate” their parishioners. They want to focus on evangelizing, prayer, and Christian Education and not get caught up in the politics of the church. What do you say to them?
Bishop Wantland: Only ostriches bury their heads in the sand, and not to any good purpose. You cannot ignore the reality of what is going on. How can one focus on evangelizing, prayer or Christian Education, if one ignores the blatant attack on the Christian Faith which is the basis for evangelization, a full prayer life, or Christian Education. Those who try to ignore what is going on and just "do the Lord's work" are NOT doing themselves or their people any favors. They are encouraging the forces of revisionism by pretending the problem does not exist.
forwardNOW: How does it feel to be a part of a history-making event by taking part in these confirmations? 110 – Is this the largest group of confirmands for whom you have ministered?
Bishop Wantland: I only wish so many more people could have been present. The congregation of about 1,000 was so full of the Spirit, and everything, music, sermon, liturgy, was fantastic. I have been part of Confirmations for 60 or so people, but this was the first time I took part in a service for 110 confirmands. I was truly blessed to be a part of all this.
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