Episcopalians
for Traditional Faith (ETF), dedicated to preserving and promoting use
of the 1928 Prayer Book within the Episcopal Church USA, was formed in
March 2002 on Long Island, NY. In the following article, The Rev. Jerome
F. Politzer, member of the ETF Advisory Council, relates how another
organization, the Prayer Book Society (PBS), of which he is President
Emeritus, began the movement to keep the 1928 Prayer Book in use.
Following the first approval of the new
Episcopal Prayer Book at the 1976 General Convention in Minneapolis,
Professors Aiden, Weatherby, and Sullivan resigned from the Prayer Book
Society and left the Episcopal Church. The overwhelming majority of the
laity in the Church who favored the traditional prayer book were left
desolate, without leadership or voice.
Into the breach stepped three
indomitable women who picked up the standard of the Prayer Book Society
and marched forward. They were Julia Cunningham of the Diocese of
Tennessee, Ann Robinson of the Diocese of Connecticut, and Nancy von
Klemperer of the Diocese of Long Island. They were ably supported by
three courageous priests who were not afraid to risk their careers for
the sake of the truth, beauty, and moral integrity of the traditional
prayer book. They were the Rev. Dr. William Ralston, Jr., the Rev James
Law, and the Rev. Logan Jackson who became president of the Board.
They rallied the membership and
enlarged the Board of Directors. They were successful in obtaining
passage at the 1979 General Convention in Denver of a resolution
authorizing the use of the 1928 Prayer Book alongside the new 1979
Prayer book. And they were assured by the chairman of the Liturgical
Committee of the House of Bishops that under this resolution no bishop
could forbid the use of the 1928 Prayer Book.
Unfortunately, this was not to be the
case. Following the Convention, the House of Bishops unleashed a
nationwide program attempting to stamp out all use of the 1928 Prayer
Book. Traditional clergy and parishes were forced into compliance. Those
who resisted were demonized and subjected to intense pressure. During
the period of what was called "liturgical renewal" the Church
lost one third of her membership (from 3.6 million to 2.4 million).
"The Prayer Book Society
Publishing Company" was established to foster the educational aims
of the Society. It published the newsletter "Mandate" and the
theological journal "Lex Orandi." It also published three
editions of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, along with numerous
pamphlets and film documentaries promoting the teachings contained
therein. A series of Sunday school lessons was prepared for traditional
parishes and work was started laying the groundwork for a theological
seminary to train men for the priesthood.
Although the Society was totally shut
out from the decision making process in the Church, it was able to
defeat resolutions outlawing the use of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer
which were proposed at the 1982 and the 1985 General Conventions. It
also helped to prevent the Church from taking the first steps towards
forming a super church as proposed by the Consultation on Church Union.
(This scheme was called C.O.C.U. by its supporters and C.U.C.K.O.O. by
its detractors.)
During the ten-year period from 1981 to
1991 the Rt. Rev. Clarence Haden, retired Bishop of Northern California,
was patron, and the Rev. Jerome F. Politzer, Rector of St. John's
Chapel, Monterey, California, was president. Due to the devoted service
of members of the Board and the loyal support of thousands of Church
members, the traditional Book of Common Prayer (edition of 1928) was
saved for future generations.
--
The Rev'd Jerome F. Politzer, April 11, 2001
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