Comments on: Diocese of B.C. Setting the record straight on Venerable Bruce Bryant-Scott’s letter

By: Stuck in Toronto

Stuck in Toronto — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:29:19 +0000

The truth will out. It appears to have been done so at the very hands of those who would suppress it!

May I remind all that fear is cast out with love.

Finally may I suggest that Vulnerable Venerables’ and the many others who have made similar mistakes should seek remedial training for the sake of their immortal souls. Childrens Sunday school in a Baptist Church (Im not sure how far back our corrupt teaching goes) may be a good place to start.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:31:47 +0000

I too found this a moving sermon. i’m far removed from the anxieties in Canada but these words apply to many situations and struggles both personal and communal.

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:44:40 +0000

After thirty years as a member of another parish, God saw fit to
“move” me to St. Matthias. The very first impression I had was that
the Holy Spirit was palpable in the church – a new experience for me, and one that has continued. Pastor Ron was away when I
arrived, but his first Sunday back still evokes a lot of emotion for me
with the memory of the overwhelming love his parish family conveyed to him and his wife, Deirdre. It quickly became apparent
that this man was a gentle, loving, caring teacher and shepherd who richly deserved the love of his parish family.

On February 26th I happened to be at St. Matthias church when the
bishop’s designate, Mr. Bryant-Scott, along with his two associates
arrived and requested Pastor Ron to vacate the premises. Seeing
how this was carried out was a very painful thing to witness. As he
was leaving, Pastor Ron shook hands with the associates and
Mr. Bryant-Scott. Even in this very difficult situation, Pastor Ron
demonstrated the quiet strength of someone who knows without a
doubt the One Whom he serves.

By: Lois

Lois — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:41:44 +0000

I was one of those at St Matthias whom Pastor Ron had stand in the service when he spoke on “My Peace I Leave with You”. The words “Be not afraid” were spoken to me in the midst of a time of crisis in my life. I find that I am still often singing or humming the words of the hymn we sang, “Be not afraid, I go before you.” When Pastor Ron gave me those words, he was being just that, my Pastor. A few days following that service I happened to speak with another member of St Matthias whom Pastor Ron, in that service, had indicated was going through a deep crisis, and she too shared how comforting and strengthening were those words given to her.

The following day I was astonished to read in Bruce Bryant-Scott’s letter that he had interpreted these words of comfort to be a subtle encouragement by Pastor Ron to the congregation to not be afraid of schism. Pastor Ron is a true pastor. He cares for his congregation and he points us to the One who walks with us through difficulties in life. I am so grateful for him and it is very difficult to see him so misunderstood and maligned.

I pray that the leadership of the Diocese of the Anglican Church of British Columbia would somehow come to experience the humility and compassion of Christ in their own lives so that they in turn could demonstrate this to those under their authority rather than using their power and anger to control and dictate.

By: Winter Traveler

Winter Traveler — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:40:53 +0000

This situation is an excellent example of the difference between the ACoC’s version of Christianity and that being practiced by orthodox ANIC churches such as St. Matthias. How the Diocese of B.C could respond to Cannon Corcoran’s sermon and the Christian way in which this congregation is attempting to discern God’s call on their ministry is stunning. I am appalled by the vindictiveness of the Ven. Bruce Bryant-Scott and the diocese of B.C. and humbled by the Christian charity being exhibited by Cannon Concoran and his flock. May God continue to bless St. Matthias in the days ahead and may the Holy Spirit fall on them with fresh power and guard and protect them from all who would do them harm.

By: John

John — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:27:15 +0000

I am a member of St. Matthias. I was there that Sunday Cannon Corcoran’s sermon was in a word “awesome”. There were not many dry eyes where I and other family members sat. We all felt and feel on a day to day basis blessed out of our socks to have such a fantastic pastoral team. I am also the son of an Anglican minister and the grandson of another Anglican minister. Despite having attended, tried, many denominations in my youth and twenties I’ve always returned to my cradle faith. My point being that in this journey I’ve been ministered to by many and in all these travels never once have I felt as loved and cared for as I am at St. Matthias. At one dark point in my life I was living in a fishing community on the west coast of Vancouver Island with several churches in the area. I was drawn, no other way to explain, to make the 4 Hr drive (one way) to attend St. Matthias.

Reading the Venerable Bryant-Scott’s comments was one of the times when I was ashamed of being an Anglican. He took words spoken with God’s love for his children and corrupted them. He took something good and made it sound evil. I wonder if the Venerable Bryant-Scott will ever realize that words used such as his serve the purposes of another master.

By: Ronalynn

Ronalynn — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:31:19 +0000

I am the wife of the couple whom Cannon Corcoran was referring to who he had married this past summer and was suddenly facing heart surgery. Cannon Corcoran phoned me in advance of the sermon to ask my permission to use our story. Of course I consented! I felt very blessed and cared for to stand and receive the scripture he repeated to me- that Jesus has overcome every trouble in the world that I, or anyone else, will ever encounter. The interesting note, is that my husband does not regularly attend church with me because he is the organist at another church, of another denomination in the city. This has never deterred either Cannon Corcoran, or another clergy member, or a single parish family member from sharing and expressing the same love and care to HIM as they do to me. Venerable Bryant-Scott’s comments were completely removed from the context of the sermon.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 04:18:08 +0000

He is a truly a Man of God
Bless him !!!!

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:22:57 +0000

That brought tears to my eyes.