Mr. Vietor’s Conversion Story

In my junior year of high school, we were required to write an essay comparing and contrasting two of the Gospels. This was the first time I had ever really read any scripture, and after working through Matthew, I sat down one night and read John straight through. This was a powerful experience. I felt that God had lead me to that night and prepared me to hear these words: “He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water’ (7:38).” By the time I finished reading, I was converted.

In response, I felt called to service, and so for college I went to the United States Naval Academy. Through that experience, I came to see that God was calling me to another kind of service. Eventually, I went to Yale Divinity School, then moved back to Virginia, was ordained in the Episcopal Church, and was serving a parish in Charlottesville. Even though there were many things that bothered my conscience, my thought was that God had placed me in the Episcopal Church for a reason.

As I saw things, my task was to help reform the Episcopal Church from within as part of the development of the Anglican Communion as a whole. Then the Anglican Communion could get back on track in its talks with Rome and the Orthodox. The ultimate goal was the reunion of the churches, which necessarily would be under the Pope. This might take even a hundred years – who could know? But this is how I understood my role. I was leading people in a direction, and the direction was toward the Catholic Church.

Finally, I came to the point where I simply had to leave the Episcopal Church. My conscience would not let me remain and I knew where I had to go. How to get there was another question. I ended up resigning from my position and renouncing my orders in May 2007 with no clear job prospects and five children to feed. My wife and I felt that the Lord had told Abraham, first, go, and second, that He would show him the land. Once we left the Episcopal Church, then the way forward became clear.

A wonderful job came available and we were able to remain in our home. I met with the Bishop and began the Pastoral Provision process toward ordination. Several families from my old parish were interested in what I was doing and wanted to come along. We formed a group and were received into the Catholic Church on the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Our vision is to establish an Anglican Use parish here in the Diocese of Phoenix.

Many people have helped me and my family on this journey, especially the members of the Anglican Use Society, to whom I give sincere thanks. May Saint Paul’s Anglican Use likewise be an encouragement to many.