Ex Bona Fide

Ultrajectine Orientalium Catolicam Ecclesia

Pastoral Letter on the Protestant Episcopal Church of the USA

Bishop Andre' J. W. Queen, SCR, Vicar General of the Church, Provincial Ordinary, Western United States

To all of our brothers and sisters in communion with the Old Catholic Church of the United States, and all who love God, Greetings and Blessings In the Lord Jesus Christ.

Of Immediate Events

We have watched, with great dismay and disappointment, the setting aside of ancient Christian Faith, and substitution of it with the spirit of this current age. In confirming an individual who is openly part of the gay lifestyle on one day, only to follow by legitimizing the acts of diocese who have engaged in so-called “same-sex unions”, the Protestant Episcopal Church of the USA has gravely departed from not only its own theological tradition, but also from Divine Revelation Itself. The PECUSA has moved further away from the Sacred Deposit of Faith, and has stepped completely outside of the entire community of ancient Apostolic Churches.

The Pain Caused

To those members of the PECUSA who recognize the grave error, we share their pain and grieve with them their definitive loss. To those who propose to stay and carve out pockets of orthodox Anglican communities, we empathize with them, however, we point out that ultimately it is not possible to be a part of a Communion of Churches, and at the same time, be apart from a Communion of Churches. That ultimately those individuals who chose orthodox Anglican faith over innovation, must make an uncomfortable but necessary choice between the comfortable confines of passive acceptance of innovation and the painful rejection of it for the greater glory of God. We are concerned and share the pain of our many friends and co-workers in Christ within the Episcopal Church, that we have known throughout the years.

We Must Sojourn In Truth

In spite of pain and dismay, we commend you to sojourn in truth, rejecting that which is false, and accepting whatever persecution befalls you, for the sake of the Kingdom, in obedience to God. We do not ask what we do not undertake ourselves, rejecting the Spirit of this Age, which has so imprisoned the souls of many who would call themselves “Old Catholic”, instead clinging to the ancient Deposit of Faith in which the Saints of God instruct and guide us, and the Word of God emboldens us.

In Good Faith

This current situation requires this Church of God to reiterate its position. We adhere and are obedient to Scripture and Tradition, which teaches us that homosexual behavior is contrary to God’s will, and as such is gravely sinful. We further restate our adherence to Scripture in the sacramental nature of Marriage, and that Holy Matrimony is that sacramental estate involving, as proper matter, a natural man and natural woman, both being baptized Christians properly disposed to receive the sacrament. The Statement of Faith of this Church, her Constitutions and Canons do not admit of exception. In this, we stand in line with fellow sacramental Apostolic Churches, loving God and hating the lie.

So We Must Act

To ensure that the position of the Church is clearly understood, joint ministry activities with the Protestant Episcopal Church of the USA must cease immediately, future plans for such activities are authoritatively terminated, and seminarians are prohibited from attending PECUSA seminaries and theological institutes. Further activities which do or may include clergy of the PECUSA, must be approved by the proper Ordinary having jurisdiction over that Diocese or Parish. While regrettable, these restrictions are necessary during these difficult times.

Our friendship, companionship, kinship and communion are offered to those brethren in the faith, in the Ultrajectine Church, and our true compassion for those lost in sin, who seek God’s love and compassionate forgiveness.

Given by my Apostolic authority as Vicar General of this Church of God, at my Provincial See in the City of Chicago, on Thursday, August 7th, after the Eighth Sunday after Easter, in the year 2003, in the Fifth year of my Episcopate.

Andreas Ioannes Gulielmus Reginius

ESBN: 99548-060127-912621-70