Michael Coren is exercising his newly minted liberalism in the Anglican Church of Canada, a denomination that will probably temporarily suit him well considering his about-face on just about everything he stood for when he wrote “Why Catholics are Right” – or, as he should retitle it, “Why Catholics used to be Right”. I doubt that he’ll be permanently happy in the ACoC: some time ago, when asked why he didn’t become an Anglican he replied, “I’m sick of arguing with atheists in the pulpit”. An exaggeration of the type, as this article will attest, that annoys him when employed to poke fun at the dizzying oscillations of his public persona.

Here are some highlights:

The change was to a large extent triggered by the gay issue. I couldn’t accept that homosexual relationships were, as the Roman Catholic Church insists on proclaiming, disordered and sinful. Once a single brick in the wall was removed the entire structure began to fall.

I refused to base my entire world view and theology, as so many active Catholics do, around abortion, contraception and sex rather than love, justice and forgiveness.

I am not a Roman Catholic but I am quite sure that Catholic theology does not rest on a foundation of opposing homosexuality, contraception and abortion, nor do active Catholics have that as a basis for their personal – not that there should be any such thing for a Roman Catholic – theology; the fact that Coren refers to “my theology” is in itself suspicious. As I mentioned above, this is an exaggeration so ridiculous, it is laughable – and yet it does appear to be the bedrock upon which Michael Coren has decided to base his denominational allegiance.

Frankly, it was tearing me apart. I wanted to extend the circle of love rather than stand at the corners of a square and repel outsiders. So I quietly and privately drifted over to an Anglican Church that while still working out its own position on many social issues, is far more progressive, open, relevant and willing to admit reality.

“Extending the circle of love” is an Anglican Church of Canada speciality. The motto of the General Synod of 2007 was “Draw the circle wide, draw it wider still”. It goes without saying that the further the circle of love is extended, the fewer people want to be in it. The openness and relevance of the ACoC has driven more people out in less time than any competing crackpot approach in the history of the church.

Michael Coren is obviously restless. As St. Augustine said: “Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee”; I hope that he finds that rest – I’d be surprised if he finds it in the arms of the ACoC.