April 28, 2010

Shepherds Among the Pews

A message by Scott Cooper,

Delivered at St. Andrews Episcopal Church

Prineville, Oregon, April 28, 2010

People who follow the news—even casual readers—have been aware in recent weeks of the growing scandal consuming the Roman Catholic Church. Our hearts go out to the victims of terrible crimes of abuse perpetuated against innocent youth, this time in schools and churches across Europe. It was not that long ago that this same storm was raging on our own shores.

Over Easter Week this year, the Archbishop of Canterbury managed to inject the Anglican Communion into the fray by observing that the Catholic Church in Ireland has lost its credibility. While he singled out the Roman Catholic Church, he might well have mentioned all churches. As the poet says, “No man is an island, entire of itself, every man is part of the main…Send Not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”