The Guardian, a UK newspaper that keeps a close eye on the United States, profiles an Austin priest who is reaching out to young people by making light-hearted mini-videos on TikTok, a popular cellphone app.
He gently spoofs the formality and pomp of traditional Episcopal vestments and hats, and features some of the questions he gets from people unfamiliar with the denomination.
“Wasn’t your church founded by Henry VIII?”
“Somewhat — and Jesus.”
““I’m going out to where people are,” he told The Guardian. “I try to do it speaking their language and being a listener.”
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
