On Toying With Desecration

Throughout this country, there are currently in litigation some fifty cases of what the New York Times euphemistically called “church-state conflicts.” But on close examination of each case, one finds less bona fide conflict than a consistent, vociferous, active, and very decided minority bent upon eliminating any act of religion or worship or religious symbolism from the communal fabric of our national life. For this minority, the Church is not an authentic part of the public forum; and the machinery of litigation has proved a powerful weapon in its crusade.

Now a new chord has been struck in this dissonance. That minority has found an odd ally. On the basis of published reports and the statements of William A. Stringfellow, lawyer and lay Episcopal theologian, it is safe (but not pleasant) to anticipate a 51st case of “church-state conflict” in the civil courts. At least one if not more of the women who wish to become ordained priests of the Episcopal Church is expected to bring ‘civil suit against Church authorities, claiming that any refusal to admit them to priesthood is a violation of their civil rights and an act of sex discrimination. The priestly candidates intend to secure their ordination and establish the validity of their priesthood by court order. And this time, it is not public prayer or religious symbolism or the moral content of school texts that is at stake. It is the central religious action, the sacral core of Christianity that is to be submitted to the litigious mind for authentication.

Throughout this country, there are currently in litigation some fifty cases of what the New York Times euphemistically called “church-state conflicts.” But on close examination of each case, one finds less bona fide conflict than a consistent, vociferous, active, and very decided minority bent upon eliminating any act of religion or worship or religious symbolism from the communal fabric of our national life. For this minority, the Church is not an authentic part of the public forum; and the machinery of litigation has proved a powerful weapon in its crusade.

Now a new chord has been struck in this dissonance. That minority has found an odd ally. On the basis of published reports and the statements of William A. Stringfellow, lawyer and lay Episcopal theologian, it is safe (but not pleasant) to anticipate a 51st case of “church-state conflict” in the civil courts. At least one if not more of the women who wish to become ordained priests of the Episcopal Church is expected to bring ‘civil suit against Church authorities, claiming that any refusal to admit them to priesthood is a violation of their civil rights and an act of sex discrimination. The priestly candidates intend to secure their ordination and establish the validity of their priesthood by court order. And this time, it is not public prayer or religious symbolism or the moral content of school texts that is at stake. It is the central religious action, the sacral core of Christianity that is to be submitted to the litigious mind for authentication.