"I was an Anglican vicar in England when we announced that we were (like thousands of others at the time) leaving to be united with the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
"I was in my late thirties. My parish was thriving. I had a young wife
and family. Everything seemed peachy, but I walked away. My people were
upset - some confused, others bewildered, still others angry with me. In
the discussions that followed, a sweet old lady who identified as
Methodist, but often worshipped with us because her husband was
Anglican, cried out in frustration, 'But surely all that matters is how
much we love Jesus!' . . .
"Not that there is anything wrong with the sentiment of course. The importance of the personal encounter with Christ is something that is stressed not only by American Evangelicals, old Methodist ladies and Anglican bishops. It is also summed up in the teaching of Pope Benedict XVI . . ."
In a recent commentary, Father Dwight Longenecker (parish priest at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church,
Greenville, SC) reflected on the importance of both having a personal relationship with Jesus and for that "relationship to be verified within the full communion" of His church.
To access Fr. Longenecker's complete post, please visit:
Fr. Dwight Longenecker: All That Really Matters Is How Much I Love Jesus? (4 JAN 23)
Background information:
Dwight Longenecker - Catholic priest and author
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