Episcopalians: An End to Heresy?

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Despite its strong liberal tone, the report by no means suggests that there should be no limits to theological inquiry. The individual right of expression must be balanced by the "right of the Church to maintain its distinctive identity and continuity as a community of faith." This identity is threatened when a church member denies such "characteristic and indispensable terms" as "love of God, His truth and grace; His self-revealing action; the redemption in Christ." The report also cautions churchmen that they do not "enter the field of theological and social debate merely as inquirers. They are not neutral about Christ."

A Last Resort. In order to make the report acceptable to the majority of church officials, the committee does not suggest that heresy proceedings be abolished; nor does Bishop Pike, who served as one of the committee's ten advisers.

But the committee emphasizes that heresy should be invoked "only as a last resort" and that the initiation of such tri als should be made as "difficult as possible." Bishop Bayne thinks that the report's main points are very likely to be approved at the church's triennial general convention in Seattle next month.

Pike himself hailed the report as "a charter for aggiornamento [updating] in the Episcopal Church," encouraging "spontaneity and enlightenment." Pike, who resigned his post as bishop of California, said that if the report is adopted in Seattle he will withdraw his de mand for a heresy trial. But he will keep if This Be Heresy as the title of his new book. Bishop Bayne took the cool view. He disagrees with much of Pike's stand, but feels that his views come "nowhere near threatening the church's jugular."