The changes in the inner circle of the OCSP have a certain Kremlinological fascination. My regular correspondent sent me a link to
North Texas Catholic for March 2012. By this point, only Msgr Steenson had been ordained, but a first tranche of former Anglican priests was in the process of coming in. A contingent of former Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth priests -- certainly the local inner clique as of March 2012 -- appeared with Steenson and Bp Vann in a photo in the newsletter. Hurd and Bartus were out of town.
As with any photo taken on top of Lenin's Tomb, there are puzzles.
Joshua Whitfield was apparently a candidate to go in via the OCSP, but instead he became Anglican Use the same year. UPDATE: Whitfield was ordained with several of the others in the photo by Bp Vann in June 2012, but he has served
de facto as a Pastoral Provision priest, and the St Rita's bio linked says that's what he is. Is there a story here?
Fr Tobola was a member of the 2008 Fort Worth Four, and his case appears to have been proceeding smoothly even as of March 2012. Indeed, he's standing right next to Msgr Steenson, who goes so far as to have an arm around his shoulder (this may have been a bad sign). Fr Crary, however, already had apparently not made the cut.
I'm wondering if Hough IV was deliberately stooping in order not to look taller than Msgr Steenson. It wouldn't surprise me at all.
Clearly Msgr Steenson was fond of old boys' reunions. If anyone was skeptical of the August 2012 allegation of an Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth clique, photos like this ought to dispel doubts.
