Rev. Ray Ryland

Rev. Ray Ryland is a contributing editor of This Rock magazine and chaplain of the Coming Home Network.

recent articles

The Gift

“You’re a married priest? I didn’t know we had married priests. I think the Church should let all her priests marry.”   Words like these have greeted me frequently since my ordination to the priesthood in 1983, with dispensation from the rule of celibacy. I always assure those who favor optional celibacy that both my … Read more

Soloviev’s Amen: A Russian Orthodox Argument for the Papacy

During the past six or seven centuries, succeeding pontiffs have repeatedly invited the separated Eastern Churches to return to communion with Rome. The few responses from the East have been negative — with only one exception, as far as I can determine. One member of an Eastern Orthodox Church responded positively in print… a Russian … Read more

The Gift: A Married Priest Looks at Celibacy

“You’re a married priest? I didn’t know we had married priests. I think the Church should let all her priests marry.” Words like these have greeted me frequently since my ordination to the priesthood in 1983, with dispensation from the rule of celibacy. I always assure those who favor optional celibacy that both my wife … Read more

Remembering Thomas Merton

During the early 1960s, my family and I spent three summers in Sewanee, Tennessee, where I—an Episcopalian priest—studied in the graduate program of St. Luke’s School of Theology. There I met another seminarian with whom I shared a common interest: We were both admirers of Thomas Merton. At that time I’d read only Merton’s spiritual … Read more

Soloviev’s Amen: A Russian Orthodox Argument for the Papacy

During the past six or seven centuries, succeeding pontiffs have repeatedly invited the separated Eastern Churches to return to communion with Rome. The few responses from the East have been negative—with only one exception, as far as I can determine. One member of an Eastern Orthodox Church responded positively in print… a Russian Orthodox layman … Read more

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