Robinson: Right, Wrong, or Repugnant?

 Recently, a well known Anglican conservative commentator and clergyman named Calvin Robinson was dismissed from his position within the Anglican Catholic Church, after his appearance at the National Pro-Life Summit in Washington, DC.  He wasn't dismissed for attending the summit or even for speaking at the same; but rather for a (for him) unavoidable incident of public trolling those who disagree with his positions on things.  First and foremost, the action in an of itself was not terribly horrible; a simple mocking replication of Elon Musk's "my heart goes out to you" gesture from the night of President Trump's inauguration: which prompted accusations of "Nazi salute", despite it being a quite common gesture before large audiences.  The gesture of placing your hand on your heart and then extending it out towards the assembly is a widespread gesture; and has even been used by politicians on the Democratic side, from Hillary Clinton to Tim Walz, Kamala Harris, and the notorious AOC.  However as they ever are prone to do, as soon as a conservative or Republican makes a gesture; they scream "Nazi" and claim the democracy is dying.  Given the intensifying political rhetoric in which the left is demanding people's deaths and destruction for any semblance of relationship with Musk, Trump, or anything conservative; Robinson's desire for mocking the situation was at best: ill-advised.   While some of my conservative church colleagues are quick to say this is just another example of liberals "cancelling" Robinson, there is a problem that many choose to ignore simply because they either love or despise him.  The problem is this: he is a priest.  What do I mean by that?

As a priest, one is charged with protecting the flock of Christ, leading the flock of Christ, feeding the flock with the sacraments of Holy Church, and defending them against those who would destroy the fold.  When we knowingly commit acts which will bring down wrath and anger against not only ourselves as priests, but also the church; then we violate the very essence of our vocation to defend, care for, and protect the church and her people.  There are indeed times in which one cannot avoid offending people and the wrath and anger come; however we are not supposed to seek out occasions to offend people, least our faith and the name of Christ be degraded through our desire for self-satisfaction of intellect.  In short, just because you are "right", does not produce righteousness.  Consider the unfortunate side effects that Robinson's behavior at the Pro Life summit have had on the Pro Life movement:  the liberals now have anecdotal evidence that the pro life movement is fascist, and that the clergy who encourage it support fascist movements.  Anecdotal evidence it may be, because the reality is the opposite; but it is supposed evidence they will use in force to convince people of their own argument from now on.

Through his desire to troll the liberals in media, Robinson brought the entire Pro Life movement into disrepute.  Rather than protecting and defending the faith; he casually tossed the sheep to the wolves and demanded that THEY protect HIM when the firestorm began.   I have no doubt that his intentions may have been honorable in his performance at the summit; but his actions since have left no doubt that his desire to troll and need to always be "right", are of more importance to him than Christian unity or the defense of the church.  His subsequent attacks on the church and clergy following his dismissal show a lack of Charity; which demonstrates that there were underlying issues that the church had not spoken of in order to grant him dignity, but which now he makes abundantly clear were ever-present.   

In the south, as I'm not sure if it's an idiom spoken in other places, we have a saying: you can't keep your mouth shut to save your life.  Sadly, this is true of Robinson.  He simply cannot avoid speaking about anything publicly; no matter how badly it will affect himself or the church as a whole.  There are ways in which we can convince people of what is right; but we as priests must take care, less the medicine we propose by how we propose it be rejected simply for cause of rhetoric.  You cannot force the sick to get well by mocking their illness all the time, and then expecting them to turn to you for the cure.   If you hold the cure to the illness; let the cure speak for itself.  Christ and his truth need no snake oil salesmen, rather they need humble shepherds who will fend off the assaults of the evil one so that the world may see the truth in us; and know that it stands fast forever.  

Humility is a difficult lesson to learn; even harder to practice.  We can either learn it with thankfulness; or with obstinance and refusal to concede.  Know this: that only those who are capable of humbling themselves will find place in the kingdom of God, for Christ himself saith: "whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12).   

Here Endeth the Lesson