On All Saints Day I decided I was going to study the saints and and others who influenced the church. Continuing my my focus on the saints, and other key people of our faith. You all are going to get a double dose today.
November 14 1784 Samuel Seabury was consecrated in Aberdeen. He was the first Bishop of the Episcopal Church of America. Originally Seabury traveled to England seeking approval, and ultimately to be consecrated as a Bishop.
Seabury did not have success in England. Being an American citizen he could no longer take the oath of allegiance to the king. From England Seabury traveled to Scotland in hopes of favor with The Scottish Episcopal Church.
The Scottish Bishops were more accepting of Seabury. They refused to recognize the authority of King George III. So with one condition he was consecrated and made Bishop. The one condition the Bishops gave Seabury was to incorporate The Scottish Holy Eucharist Liturgies to their Book of Common Prayer.
Shortly after Seabury consecration concern raised up in England over fears of what was going on in America. English Parliament was pressured to make provision for the ordination of foreign bishops.
Seabury’s bold and no nonsense attitude brought a closeness between The Episcopal Church of America and The Church of England. Many realized the fight was not over faith, liturgy, or doctrine, but over politics.
Prayer for The Consecration of Samuel Seabury
We give you thanks, O Lord our God, for your goodness in bestowing upon this Church the gift of the episcopate, which we celebrate in this remembrance of the consecration of Samuel Seabury; and we pray that, joined together in unity with our bishops, and nourished by your holy Sacraments, we may proclaim the Gospel of redemption with apostolic zeal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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