One in the Groups of Anglicans

At the behest of my very good friend Mr. Campbell, I have been given the great honor of being allowed to participate in this endeavor that is The Anglo-Catholic.  Christian has asked that my initial post be of an introductory nature.  So, without any further ado, I beg your forbearance.

My name is Fr. William P. “Doc” Holiday.  The nickname is the result of my last name and American western history, not earned by way of the academy.  I serve as a curate at the Cathedral of the Incarnation (Orlando, FL), ACA/TAC, and have been so blessed since Advent season of 2007.  I am a Cooperator with the Priestly Society of the Holy Cross, an association of clergy intrinsically united with Opus Dei, and it is my fervent hope that once the Ordinariate is established that I will be able to enter this Society as a full member.  I entered the ACA/TAC by way of another “Continuing” Anglican jurisdiction (you will become aware in short order that I in no way appreciate the moniker “Continuum” in the context of current Anglican affairs), and I entered Anglicanism via the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, via the Presbyterian Church in America, via the Baptist church, via being eye brow deep in the temporal.  Consequently, I approach things theological, and all the associated “logics”, from the perspective of one who has walked a very circuitous journey.  My worldview has run the gamut from paganism, broad evangelicalism, foaming-at-the-mouth rabid Calvinism (my M. Div. is from Reformed Theological Seminary), latitudinarian Anglicanism, to Catholicism,  and by that I mean real Catholic, capital “C” Catholic, Pope Catholic.  I came to this point by way of much prayer, study, and spiritual direction, and am happy to be here because I know I don’t need to search anymore.  Mother Church has opened her doors to me and my brothers and sisters and now we merely wait to step through.  Actually, when I came into the ACA/TAC, I was contemplating going directly to Rome, but being aware of the TAC’s overtures toward the Holy See I decided that if I could in any way assist in the effort to bring tens of thousands into the Church, as opposed to just me, I should put forth the effort.  Additionally, there exists in true Anglicanism a depth and richness of spirituality, a glory in liturgy, and a desire for the maintenance of Catholic tradition, that is not to be found in many Latin Rite parishes.  This is the Anglican patrimony of which so many speak in the context of Anglicanorum Coetibus, the patrimony we desire to bring into the Church of which we were once part.

Another facet of my life that lends to a somewhat unique perspective regarding my take on things, and my presentation as well, is my secular background.  After graduating high school in Kenton County, KY., I enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps (a belated happy birthday to all you Devil Dogs [It's a Marine thing you others wouldn't understand]) where I served for over four years.  After my discharge I entered a career in law enforcement.  I am currently in my 25th year of service in that capacity.  Yes, you read right, still active.  By God’s grace I was able to segue my affinity with police officers into my priesthood by serving as a Chaplain for the Orange County (FL) Sheriff’s Office, a very large agency that serves the metro Orlando area.  During my tenure in law enforcement I served in Patrol, Street Crimes, Traffic, Aviation, and  for most of the time in my love of loves, SWAT.  As you can well imagine, that gives me a sort of “rubber-meets-the-road” perspective of ministry, and an ability to talk about guns if any of you so desire.

I pray that my role here will be to engage in a practical theological approach to many of the matters discussed.  I have a very distinct desire to overcome the prevalent, “Can’t see the forest for the trees,” paradigm so evidently displayed by so many self-proclaimed authorities in the matter of reunion before us.  Unfortunately, there are so many who conjecture concerning the meaning of something they read, or hear, and then by way of that conjecture parse the matter to what they present as logical consistency, when in fact their initial perception was flawed consequently making all they say about the matter at hand invalid, and I would submit quite often ridiculous.  In short, we need to address matters Anglo-Catholic objectively, parsing information of which we are sure, and letting things yet to be determined rest until they are determined.

I pray this was not burdensome, and I also beg your forgiveness if at times I become a bit edgy in my zeal to address issues that are so very dear to my heart, and there is nothing closer to my heart than the desire to see the fruition of the gracious work of the Holy Father in paving a way for us to come home.

Your servant in our Lord Jesus Christ and His most blessed and ever-virgin Mother,

“Doc”+