INTERVIEW: Rev. Aaron Long (UECNA) & Rev. Donald Veitch (Reformed BCP-Man)

Rev. Aaron Long (United Episcopal Church of North America), Pastor of Paul’s Chapel, Lexington, NC held forth on several issues. We had about 1000 questions and barely got though—maybe—1 question. Issues: professionalization of clergy, graduate theological training without adequate pastoral training, title-mongery amongst Anglicans, wanting to be the General rather than a SGTMAJ or Marine grunt doing the leg work on the streets, the value of the BCP more widely (especially for those leaving the mega-church mindset), the need for Anglicanism and Presbyterianism to break down the socio-economic aspect (upper middle to middle classes), Bishop Robinson, and, most helpfully, Aaron’s response to any Bishop or clergy advocating for invocations to saints or prayers for the departed. The last part was short, but telling—he would bring such clergy up on charges for violating Article 22 of the 39 Articles. We would add, what does it say to the common man or woman—of any socio-economic status—to claim allegiance to the Confessional standard of the 39 Articles, yet put an imprimatur on saints’ invocations? Deceit? Duplicity? Dishonesty? Doctrinal relativism? Go-along-to-advance-onselfism? Can we get some straight-talk here? Rev. Long was direct. Rev. Long would bring that Bishop up on charges. We intend to ask Bishop Edward Malcolm (CoE Cont’) the same question in the interview forthcoming on Friday, 13 Jan. As for Pastor Long, we still have about 999 more questions to get at—God willing, in due time.