Journal Article

Anti-Ritualism & Self-Determination

Little, Lee R.

2024

Overview

For any group-religious or otherwise-to be successful, four basic requirements must be met: visionary leadership; a firmly-held belief in the veracity of their claims and/or positions; a unique approach to communal religious life that is not offered elsewhere in the immediate geographic region; and subsequently a critical mass of dedicated followers and resources. A series of more minor disputes during the 1868 and 1871 General Conventions over ecumenism and eucharistic theology led to George D. Cummins (1822-1876), assistant bishop of Kentucky, leading a group of likeminded evangelical Episcopalians to a new denomination called the Reformed Episcopal Church in 1874. [...]Upfold plainly stated in his 1864 episcopal address to the diocesan convention that he would refuse to officiate at any church in the diocese with altar flowers.2 This was during a period of increased Roman Catholic immigration to the United States, threatening the continued Protestant alignment of the Episcopal Church, particularly as Roman Catholic schools filled the void left by a lack of both public and Protestant educational options.3 Upfold experienced feeble health, requiring the diocese to call Joseph C. Talbot (1816-1883) as bishop coadjutor in 1865. Speaking to the 1874 diocesan convention, Talbot stated that the act was \"the more remarkable\" event in the history of the Episcopal Church, with the \"unhappy and misguided\" Cummins publicly deserting his vows and fellow bishops, and wounding both the Church of God and his soul.

• Publisher: Historical Society of the Episcopal Church
• Subject: Communion / Episcopal churches / Leadership / Religion / Religious congregations / Religious orthodoxy / Theology