Ecumenical Service
Gathers to Intercede
for Fr David Moyer
David W. Virtue |
5 September 2002
A packed parish heard Fr. David L. Moyer read the timeless story of David and Goliath at Church of the Good Shepherd last night as he told how hard the last six months had been, and thanked his parishioners for their prayers.
Billed as an ecumenical service of support for Fr. Moyer it became an evening of battle hymns sung, and OT stories read of God defending his people, and NT readings of standing firm in the face of oppression.
By midnight the six months of Moyer's inhibition are officially up and Charles E. Bennison, Bishop of Pennsylvania is free to depose him and toss him out of his parish and the Diocese of PA.
But this was Moyer's night. The parish with more than 300 present stood and applauded Fr. Moyer, singing the ancient hymns of the church that included A Mighty Fortress is our God, How Firm a Foundation and The Church's One Foundation. The hymns captured the spirit of the occasion. Scriptures stressing the need to stand firm in the midst of persecution buoyed the parishioners as they waited in quiet, prayerful anticipation for the ax to fall on their beloved rector.
"It is an excommunication of the people", said a visiting parish priest, who spoke warmly of Moyer's ministry. "You are a priest forever Fr. Moyer", he said, turning to Moyer and intoning in Latin the sacredness and permanence of Moyer's priesthood.
No Episcopal priest has ever faced being thrown out of his parish and the Diocese of Pennsylvania in its 200-year history because that cleric affirmed the historic Faith while the bishop would not do the same.
Moyer, 52, the beleaguered, but clearly much loved parish priest thanked the many parishioners and friends who came last night for their prayers for he and his family and introduced the archbishop from Central Africa, The Most Dr. Rev. Bernard Malango who came to support Moyer in his hour of deposition.
The African Primate had previously been in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada supporting the "Vancouver 12" as they face similar disciplinary actions by the ultra-liberal Bishop Michael Ingham. Malango was tired but clearly happy to be here.
As the evening wore on, priest after priest from across the diocese and the country stood up at the lectern to praise and support Moyer.
The Rev. William Ilgenfritz, St. Stephens, Whitehall, PA, a fellow Forward in Faith priest and wannabee bishop said the struggle Moyer had been in for so long was "not about this building, nor about these stones or mortar. In the end if that is all we care about then we miss the real issue. It is about the people perishing as our churches burn. Your rector has been placed in a situation where he has risked everything to try and save the people."
Ilgenfritz pleaded, "Allow him to do his ministry. Allow him to do what God has called him to do. I am very proud to know David Moyer and to call him my friend, and I am proud to stand for the faith once delivered."
"If they take our buildings, pensions and salaries it doesn't make a bit of difference, they can't take Jesus from us."
Do not fear the consequences of being faithful, he said.
"There is part of me that is deeply sympathetic towards Bennison and people like him. He doesn't know who he is contending with and doesn't know who he should be contending for. He is gonna lose big time."
"Pray for him that God will open his eyes to the truth of the gospel and when to know your church is burning and make sure you can get all your brothers and sisters outside."
"He is not of my color but he is of my kind", said the Rev. Dr. Maurice Hughes, the Black pastor of Zion AME Church in Philadelphia, who stood up in support of Moyer.
"Ephesians chapter 6 says to put on the whole armor of God. We are contending not against flesh and blood but against wickedness in heavenly places."
An Australian Anglo-Catholic priest, the Rev. David Chislett from a traditionalist parish in Queensland, Australia, said he and his people "have had the same sorts of things happen to them in Australia except in the Diocese of Sydney. One of the things that has happened to me is that I have gotten excited about OT stories. Over the last 15 years I have come to see the victory of the people of God over their enemies...the OT has come alive to me all over again."
Chislett said being a Christian is not an insurance policy against Calvary. "When the train goes through the tunnel the safest place is to stay on the train."
Archbishop Malango said how happy he was to be there with all those who faithfully support Fr. Moyer. "David and Rita have known of my love and care for them and I have written and sent a letter to them and to the Primates in support of David. In seven days I will be in Hong Kong at the Anglican Consultative Council meeting and I will be telling stories, particularly this story to all the bishops."
By midnight Moyer could learn his fate, but the words of the hymn lustily sung by 300 voices last night will carry him up and bear him along...
"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie
My grace all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine."
The service closed with the singing of Onward Christian Soldiers. It was a fitting end.
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