http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=28830
[Catholic Online] 7 Aug 2008--Catholics who keep up with Anglicanism may have observed that the whole thing seems to be visibly coming apart.
On the one hand, at June's rally of the world's conservative Anglicans in Jerusalem -- the Global Anglican Futures Conference (GAFCON) -- over a thousand conservative leaders declared their willingness to work outside the official structure and indeed to intervene in the errant Western Anglican churches in defense of their marginalized and oppressed conservatives.
On the other, over 200 conservative bishops, mostly from Africa, simply refused to attend late July's Lambeth Conference, the decennial meeting of the world's Anglican bishops, because the bishops of the Episcopal Church -- who, by ordaining an openly fornicating homosexual bishop, had thumbed their noses at the rest of the world's Anglicans, and the Christian moral tradition to boot -- were seated with full voice and vote.
Of particular interest will be the fate of the small Anglo-Catholic party, the wing closest to Catholicism in doctrine and devotion, now found almost entirely in England and the English-speaking former colonies. It was once, in the 1920s and early 1930s, the most creative and effective party in Anglicanism, but has kept declining since.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
A New Reformation
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8811
[VirtueOnline] 7 Aug 2008--We who have prayed for a new Reformation in the Anglican Communion should remember that reformations are a messy, untidy business, and reformers themselves are an odd and uncomfortable lot. Their eyes see into the middle distance and be they bold, bright-eyed, or brittle, their range of vision, though not limited to the near horizon, is not yet adapted to the rolling ages glimpsed by God's prophets who see with kingdom eyes.
Reformers, reform now, seeking redress, justice, mishpat, that Old Testament sense of fair play, that includes honesty, give and take, truthfulness, and keeping promises. Prophets with kingdom eyes seek a kingdom yet to come and when they have the courage they walk their walk on that sea of many peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.
It is the long view of history past and confidence in grace not only present, but future, that keeps me from leaping upon the separatist bandwagon. I know some of our "reformers" personally and I know enough about them to be seriously concerned over the testimony that they bear.
[VirtueOnline] 7 Aug 2008--We who have prayed for a new Reformation in the Anglican Communion should remember that reformations are a messy, untidy business, and reformers themselves are an odd and uncomfortable lot. Their eyes see into the middle distance and be they bold, bright-eyed, or brittle, their range of vision, though not limited to the near horizon, is not yet adapted to the rolling ages glimpsed by God's prophets who see with kingdom eyes.
Reformers, reform now, seeking redress, justice, mishpat, that Old Testament sense of fair play, that includes honesty, give and take, truthfulness, and keeping promises. Prophets with kingdom eyes seek a kingdom yet to come and when they have the courage they walk their walk on that sea of many peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.
It is the long view of history past and confidence in grace not only present, but future, that keeps me from leaping upon the separatist bandwagon. I know some of our "reformers" personally and I know enough about them to be seriously concerned over the testimony that they bear.
Episcopal bishop will ordain gays
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/08/07/episcopal_bishop_will_ordain_gays/
[The Boston Globe] 7 Aug 2008--A month ago, the world's Anglican bishops flew off to London, hoping to do something to keep the world's third largest Christian family from falling apart over the ordination of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire.
But as the bishops return to their dioceses around the world, the plight of the Episcopal Church, and its parent Anglican Communion, remains as muddled as ever. With conservatives contending that the denomination is moving toward schism and liberals arguing that the denomination is stabilizing, the path forward is unclear.
Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, said in an interview upon his return from London that he will continue to ordain gay clergy, which he called "pastorally important."
He also said that local priests will continue to bless same-sex marriages, although Shaw said that those priests are doing so on their own and that "I haven't authorized anybody to do anything."
[The Boston Globe] 7 Aug 2008--A month ago, the world's Anglican bishops flew off to London, hoping to do something to keep the world's third largest Christian family from falling apart over the ordination of an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire.
But as the bishops return to their dioceses around the world, the plight of the Episcopal Church, and its parent Anglican Communion, remains as muddled as ever. With conservatives contending that the denomination is moving toward schism and liberals arguing that the denomination is stabilizing, the path forward is unclear.
Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, head of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, said in an interview upon his return from London that he will continue to ordain gay clergy, which he called "pastorally important."
He also said that local priests will continue to bless same-sex marriages, although Shaw said that those priests are doing so on their own and that "I haven't authorized anybody to do anything."
Foremost UK Gay Activist Admits there is No Gay Gene
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08080605.html
[LifeSite News] 7 Aug 2008--One of the untouchable dogmas of the homosexualist movement is the assertion of the existence of a "gay gene", or a genetic marker that causes same-sex attraction. The assertion of a genetic factor in homosexual preference has never been demonstrated by scientists and now at least one prominent campaigner in the British homosexualist movement has admitted this fact.
Peter Tatchell, an Australian-born British homosexual activist who founded the "direct action" group OutRage! that specialises in media stunts such as disrupting Christian religious services, wrote on Spiked Online that he agrees with the scientific consensus that there is no such thing as a "gay gene."
Contrary to the findings of some researchers who have tried to posit a purely genetic origin for same-sex attractions, Tatchell wrote, "Genes and hormones may predispose a person to one sexuality rather than another. But that's all. Predisposition and determination are two different things."
Homosexual activists have adopted the "gay gene" theory to bolster their assertion that any objection on moral grounds to homosexual activity is akin to objecting to left-handedness or skin colour. It has supported the accusation that Christians and others who object to the homosexual movement are racists and bigots.
[LifeSite News] 7 Aug 2008--One of the untouchable dogmas of the homosexualist movement is the assertion of the existence of a "gay gene", or a genetic marker that causes same-sex attraction. The assertion of a genetic factor in homosexual preference has never been demonstrated by scientists and now at least one prominent campaigner in the British homosexualist movement has admitted this fact.
Peter Tatchell, an Australian-born British homosexual activist who founded the "direct action" group OutRage! that specialises in media stunts such as disrupting Christian religious services, wrote on Spiked Online that he agrees with the scientific consensus that there is no such thing as a "gay gene."
Contrary to the findings of some researchers who have tried to posit a purely genetic origin for same-sex attractions, Tatchell wrote, "Genes and hormones may predispose a person to one sexuality rather than another. But that's all. Predisposition and determination are two different things."
Homosexual activists have adopted the "gay gene" theory to bolster their assertion that any objection on moral grounds to homosexual activity is akin to objecting to left-handedness or skin colour. It has supported the accusation that Christians and others who object to the homosexual movement are racists and bigots.
Is There a Terrorist in Your Home?
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080806/is-there-a-terrorist-in-your-home.htm
[The Christian Post] 7 Aug 2008--A man knocks on your door. As soon as you answer, you recognize him from the posters around town. He’s a known thief and sexual predator of young girls who has just escaped from prison. He asks if he can go into your teens’ bedroom to hang out with them for a while. Of course you say, “No way!” so he asks if he can just come into your living room and hang out. You say, “Absolutely not!” So he finally just settles for hanging out with the whole family as you watch a litany of popular TV shows that night; as you spend “family time” together.
If we, under any circumstances, wouldn’t let that man into the rooms of our kids (whether male of female) why would we let a TV or computer reside in our kids’ bedrooms? These modern occupiers of time dispense a river of polluted entertainment riddled with the same values driving the visitor at your front door. Why would you let all those people into your house? Every time we let unsupervised media into our homes and into our kids’ minds, we have invited a terrorist into our home.
[The Christian Post] 7 Aug 2008--A man knocks on your door. As soon as you answer, you recognize him from the posters around town. He’s a known thief and sexual predator of young girls who has just escaped from prison. He asks if he can go into your teens’ bedroom to hang out with them for a while. Of course you say, “No way!” so he asks if he can just come into your living room and hang out. You say, “Absolutely not!” So he finally just settles for hanging out with the whole family as you watch a litany of popular TV shows that night; as you spend “family time” together.
If we, under any circumstances, wouldn’t let that man into the rooms of our kids (whether male of female) why would we let a TV or computer reside in our kids’ bedrooms? These modern occupiers of time dispense a river of polluted entertainment riddled with the same values driving the visitor at your front door. Why would you let all those people into your house? Every time we let unsupervised media into our homes and into our kids’ minds, we have invited a terrorist into our home.
US verdict on Lambeth: Just more talk
http://www.lapidomedia.com/news/lambeth-tolerance_01-08-2008.php
[Lapido Media] 7 Aug 2008--American Anglicans at the centre of the row over gay marriage spoke last night of their ‘skepticism’ at the outcome of the Lambeth Conference.
Briane Turley, 51, twice a Fulbright Scholar, and former Professor at the University of West Virginia, has accused Dr Rowan Williams of being ‘elastic’ with the Gospel, and of replacing the demands of love with ‘tolerance of anything’.
‘What you are left with is endless conversation’ he said, speaking from his parish, the Church of the Holy Spirit, Tulsa, Oklahoma, last night.
[Lapido Media] 7 Aug 2008--American Anglicans at the centre of the row over gay marriage spoke last night of their ‘skepticism’ at the outcome of the Lambeth Conference.
Briane Turley, 51, twice a Fulbright Scholar, and former Professor at the University of West Virginia, has accused Dr Rowan Williams of being ‘elastic’ with the Gospel, and of replacing the demands of love with ‘tolerance of anything’.
‘What you are left with is endless conversation’ he said, speaking from his parish, the Church of the Holy Spirit, Tulsa, Oklahoma, last night.
The Next Twenty Years for the Anglican Communion
http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/indepth/articles/the_next_20_years_for_the_anglican_communion/
[sydneyanglicans.net] 7 Aug 2008--‘Crisis’, ‘schism’, ‘division’, ‘break-up’ – this has been the language of the last five years in the Anglican Communion. Again and again we have reached ‘defining moments’, ‘crucial meetings’ and ‘turning points’, only to discover that they simply lead into another period of uncertainty.
Uncertainty is now over. The decisive moments have passed. Irreversible actions have occurred. The time has come for sustained thought about a different future. The Anglican Communion will never be the same again. The Windsor process has failed, largely because it refused to grapple with the key issue of the truth. A new and more biblical vision is required to help biblically faithful Anglican churches survive and grow in the contemporary world.
Originally published on 21 October 2007.
[sydneyanglicans.net] 7 Aug 2008--‘Crisis’, ‘schism’, ‘division’, ‘break-up’ – this has been the language of the last five years in the Anglican Communion. Again and again we have reached ‘defining moments’, ‘crucial meetings’ and ‘turning points’, only to discover that they simply lead into another period of uncertainty.
Uncertainty is now over. The decisive moments have passed. Irreversible actions have occurred. The time has come for sustained thought about a different future. The Anglican Communion will never be the same again. The Windsor process has failed, largely because it refused to grapple with the key issue of the truth. A new and more biblical vision is required to help biblically faithful Anglican churches survive and grow in the contemporary world.
Originally published on 21 October 2007.
Same Sex Blessings and the Archbishop
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/15259/
[Stand Firm] 7 Aug 2008--I've noticed several bloggers and journalists this morning, most notably Steve Waring of the Living Church, highlighting the ABC's answer to a question from the BBC regarding the meaning of the second Windsor moratorium regarding same sex blessings; does the moratorium dealing with same sex blessings seek the cessation of the blessings themselves or does it seek to halt the creation of official diocesan or national liturgies for blessings?
Mr. Waring points to this line in particular of the archbishops answer:
"There are those in the U.S.A. who would say ‘pastoral response.’ Well, it’s a blessing and I’m not very happy about that,” he said.
In light of the disappointing Indaba Reflections from Lambeth Conference, many who inhabit the Anglican "center" or "center-right" have understandably focused a good deal of attention on the ABC's closing press conference, and on the above answer in particular, loading his words there down, I think, with more weight than they can or were intended to bear. Responses to questions by reporters, however true and thoughtful, are necessarily "off the cuff".
Confusion on the matter of same sex blessings is profound and longstanding.
[Stand Firm] 7 Aug 2008--I've noticed several bloggers and journalists this morning, most notably Steve Waring of the Living Church, highlighting the ABC's answer to a question from the BBC regarding the meaning of the second Windsor moratorium regarding same sex blessings; does the moratorium dealing with same sex blessings seek the cessation of the blessings themselves or does it seek to halt the creation of official diocesan or national liturgies for blessings?
Mr. Waring points to this line in particular of the archbishops answer:
"There are those in the U.S.A. who would say ‘pastoral response.’ Well, it’s a blessing and I’m not very happy about that,” he said.
In light of the disappointing Indaba Reflections from Lambeth Conference, many who inhabit the Anglican "center" or "center-right" have understandably focused a good deal of attention on the ABC's closing press conference, and on the above answer in particular, loading his words there down, I think, with more weight than they can or were intended to bear. Responses to questions by reporters, however true and thoughtful, are necessarily "off the cuff".
Confusion on the matter of same sex blessings is profound and longstanding.
KENYA: Boycotting primate wants Lambeth Conference to continue
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_99815_ENG_HTM.htm
[Episcopal Life Online] 7 Aug 2008--Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi of Kenya, who boycotted the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops from around the world, has said the archbishop of Canterbury should continue to convene the once-every-10-years gathering but underlined his view that homosexuality needs to be seen as sinful.
The Kenyan archbishop took issue with remarks by Robinson, according to whom leaders such as Nzimbi are calling for the exclusion from the Anglican Communion of those churches that support the greater inclusion of gay and lesbian people.
Nzimbi said the current problem within the Anglican Communion was not based on who should stay or go, but on compliance to the word of God.
"When you obey the Scriptures you repent of your sins. What is ... bringing problems is the interpretation of the Scriptures," he said. "If we all obey the Scriptures, and what they tell us, I know that inner oneness will make us have the outer form of the Anglican Communion that which we want."
Nzimbi also questioned a statement in a document issued at the end of the Lambeth Conference that stated that the way the Anglican Communion has been perceived to handle polygamy has complicated the issue of how it deals with homosexuality. "Polygamy," the document noted, "has been part of the history and of the present of some provinces [member churches] of the communion."
However, stated Nzimbi, "Nobody sanctions polygamy. It should be one man, one woman. When it comes to homosexuality, it is sinful, just as polygamy is."
[Episcopal Life Online] 7 Aug 2008--Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi of Kenya, who boycotted the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops from around the world, has said the archbishop of Canterbury should continue to convene the once-every-10-years gathering but underlined his view that homosexuality needs to be seen as sinful.
The Kenyan archbishop took issue with remarks by Robinson, according to whom leaders such as Nzimbi are calling for the exclusion from the Anglican Communion of those churches that support the greater inclusion of gay and lesbian people.
Nzimbi said the current problem within the Anglican Communion was not based on who should stay or go, but on compliance to the word of God.
"When you obey the Scriptures you repent of your sins. What is ... bringing problems is the interpretation of the Scriptures," he said. "If we all obey the Scriptures, and what they tell us, I know that inner oneness will make us have the outer form of the Anglican Communion that which we want."
Nzimbi also questioned a statement in a document issued at the end of the Lambeth Conference that stated that the way the Anglican Communion has been perceived to handle polygamy has complicated the issue of how it deals with homosexuality. "Polygamy," the document noted, "has been part of the history and of the present of some provinces [member churches] of the communion."
However, stated Nzimbi, "Nobody sanctions polygamy. It should be one man, one woman. When it comes to homosexuality, it is sinful, just as polygamy is."
Food shortage facing Zimbabwe
http://www.religiousintelligence.com/news/?NewsID=2430
[Religious Intelligence] 7 Aug 2008--Zimbabwe could continue grappling with a severe grain shortage as the government has only secured 60 per cent of the country's seed maize requirements for use in this year's agricultural season.
Agriculture Minister Rugare Gumbo made the startling revelations when he addressed farmers at the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) annual congress held in Harare yesterday.
With less than two months before the start of the 2008-09 agricultural season, which gets underway in October, Gumbo disclosed that the government has only secured 30,000 tonnes of maize seed out of a required 50,000 tonnes. Gumbo said the government had committed scarce foreign currency resources to import the bulk of the 30,000 tonnes of maize seed. He said only 11,300 tonnes of maize seed was sourced from local seed houses while 18,700 tonnes was imported from neighbouring countries.
[Religious Intelligence] 7 Aug 2008--Zimbabwe could continue grappling with a severe grain shortage as the government has only secured 60 per cent of the country's seed maize requirements for use in this year's agricultural season.
Agriculture Minister Rugare Gumbo made the startling revelations when he addressed farmers at the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) annual congress held in Harare yesterday.
With less than two months before the start of the 2008-09 agricultural season, which gets underway in October, Gumbo disclosed that the government has only secured 30,000 tonnes of maize seed out of a required 50,000 tonnes. Gumbo said the government had committed scarce foreign currency resources to import the bulk of the 30,000 tonnes of maize seed. He said only 11,300 tonnes of maize seed was sourced from local seed houses while 18,700 tonnes was imported from neighbouring countries.
Indian pastor arrested under anti-conversion laws
http://www.religiousintelligence.com/news/?NewsID=2432
[Religious Intelligence] 7 Aug 2008--A pastor in India was taken into custody along with his wife and two children following implementation of the controversial anti-conversion act.
Police raided Pastor Sam Oomen’s church on August 4 after a man who was baptised levelled charges of forced conversion and allurement.
“India’s growing anti-conversion movement puts the church in real jeopardy,” said Andy Dipper, the chief executive of Release International, an organisation which serves to protect persecuted Christians worldwide.
Partners of Release International claim that the charges are false and that the man who brought them was baptised with his consent, although efforts to release the pastor and his wife on bail have so far failed.
[Religious Intelligence] 7 Aug 2008--A pastor in India was taken into custody along with his wife and two children following implementation of the controversial anti-conversion act.
Police raided Pastor Sam Oomen’s church on August 4 after a man who was baptised levelled charges of forced conversion and allurement.
“India’s growing anti-conversion movement puts the church in real jeopardy,” said Andy Dipper, the chief executive of Release International, an organisation which serves to protect persecuted Christians worldwide.
Partners of Release International claim that the charges are false and that the man who brought them was baptised with his consent, although efforts to release the pastor and his wife on bail have so far failed.
Rowan Williams: gay relationships 'comparable to marriage'
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4473814.ece
[Times Online] 7 Aug 2008--Rowan Williams believes that gay sexual relationships can “reflect the love of God” in a way that is comparable to marriage, The Times has learnt.
Gay partnerships pose the same ethical questions as those between men and women, and the key issue for Christians is that they are faithful and lifelong, he believes.
Dr Williams is known to be personally liberal on the issue but the strength of his views, revealed in private correspondence shown to The Times, will astonish his critics.
The news threatens to reopenbitter divisions over ordaining gay priests, which pushed the Anglican Communion towards a split.
Related Letters:
http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2008/08/archbishop-rowa.html#more
Archbishop Rowan: gay sex comparable to 'marriage' - Times Online
[Times Online] 7 Aug 2008--Rowan Williams believes that gay sexual relationships can “reflect the love of God” in a way that is comparable to marriage, The Times has learnt.
Gay partnerships pose the same ethical questions as those between men and women, and the key issue for Christians is that they are faithful and lifelong, he believes.
Dr Williams is known to be personally liberal on the issue but the strength of his views, revealed in private correspondence shown to The Times, will astonish his critics.
The news threatens to reopenbitter divisions over ordaining gay priests, which pushed the Anglican Communion towards a split.
Related Letters:
http://timescolumns.typepad.com/gledhill/2008/08/archbishop-rowa.html#more
Archbishop Rowan: gay sex comparable to 'marriage' - Times Online
Archbishop of Canterbury compares gay relationships to marriage
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/2512123/Archbishop-of-Canterbury-compares-gay-relationships-to-marriage.html
[Telegraph] 7 Aug 2008--In private correspondence, seen by the Daily Telegraph, Dr Rowan Williams, refutes the Anglican Communion's traditional teaching that homosexuality is sinful.
Furthermore, he expresses his hope that the Church will change its position to be more accepting of gay partnerships.
His comments – made in a letter written shortly before he became Archbishop of Canterbury – will infuriate the conservatives who boycotted the recent Lambeth Conference in protest at the presence of liberals who elected Anglicanism's first openly gay bishop.
Leading evangelicals have claimed that he is in an "untenable position".
Related article:
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=28835
Archbishop of Canterbury Views Homosexual Acts and Marriage as Comparable? - Catholic Online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/07/anglicanism.gayrights
Rowan Williams: gay couples reflect the love of God - Guardian
[Telegraph] 7 Aug 2008--In private correspondence, seen by the Daily Telegraph, Dr Rowan Williams, refutes the Anglican Communion's traditional teaching that homosexuality is sinful.
Furthermore, he expresses his hope that the Church will change its position to be more accepting of gay partnerships.
His comments – made in a letter written shortly before he became Archbishop of Canterbury – will infuriate the conservatives who boycotted the recent Lambeth Conference in protest at the presence of liberals who elected Anglicanism's first openly gay bishop.
Leading evangelicals have claimed that he is in an "untenable position".
Related article:
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=28835
Archbishop of Canterbury Views Homosexual Acts and Marriage as Comparable? - Catholic Online
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/07/anglicanism.gayrights
Rowan Williams: gay couples reflect the love of God - Guardian
Some Canada Anglicans may reject same-sex moratorium
http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSN0642936320080806
[Reuters] 7 Aug 2008--There seems little chance that all Canadian Anglican clergy will honor the moratorium on blessing same-sex unions requested by the worldwide Anglican communion.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, leader of the global Anglican church, warned on Sunday that the 80-million-member church would be "in grave peril" if the U.S. and Canadian branches did not agree to moratoriums on same-sex blessings and on the ordination of gay bishops.
But the head of the Canadian church, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, told Reuters in a phone interview on Wednesday it would be especially tough for Bishop Michael Ingham of the British Columbia diocese of New Westminster to halt the homosexual blessings altogether.
[Reuters] 7 Aug 2008--There seems little chance that all Canadian Anglican clergy will honor the moratorium on blessing same-sex unions requested by the worldwide Anglican communion.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, leader of the global Anglican church, warned on Sunday that the 80-million-member church would be "in grave peril" if the U.S. and Canadian branches did not agree to moratoriums on same-sex blessings and on the ordination of gay bishops.
But the head of the Canadian church, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, told Reuters in a phone interview on Wednesday it would be especially tough for Bishop Michael Ingham of the British Columbia diocese of New Westminster to halt the homosexual blessings altogether.
Lambeth Conference: Mystery bishop case is solved
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/martinbeckford/blog/2008/08/06/lambeth_conference_mystery_bishop_case_is_solved
[Telegraph] 7 Aug 2008--One more tale from the Lambeth Conference before the phrase "once-a-decade gathering of Anglican bishops" is mothballed until 2018.
I had been told last week that there was an impostor on the campus, who had got in by assuming another bishop's identity and was merrily contributing to his Indaba group under a false name.
Well the good news is that I've discovered who the phantom bishop is. But unfortunately the story doesn't quite live up to its billing as the episcopal version of Day of the Jackal.
It turns out that it was the C of E's very own John Saxbee, the Bishop of Lincoln, who arrived at the University of Kent with three weeks' worth of purple shirts only to discover that the organisers weren't expecting him.
[Telegraph] 7 Aug 2008--One more tale from the Lambeth Conference before the phrase "once-a-decade gathering of Anglican bishops" is mothballed until 2018.
I had been told last week that there was an impostor on the campus, who had got in by assuming another bishop's identity and was merrily contributing to his Indaba group under a false name.
Well the good news is that I've discovered who the phantom bishop is. But unfortunately the story doesn't quite live up to its billing as the episcopal version of Day of the Jackal.
It turns out that it was the C of E's very own John Saxbee, the Bishop of Lincoln, who arrived at the University of Kent with three weeks' worth of purple shirts only to discover that the organisers weren't expecting him.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
A response to Peter Ould
http://ayjay.tumblr.com/post/44804994/a-response-to-peter-ould
[More than 95 theses] 6 Aug 2008--But on another point I think Ould is mistaken, and dangerously so. In his view, the diocesan “boundary crossings” — like the one that has led to the creation of my church, All Souls’ Anglican, are simply and plainly sinful. They are “acts of sin in response to sin”; “If we truly believe that the Spirit was at work in the Ecumenical Councils of the first millenium, then we have to see these violations of the Nicene principle of diocesan integrity as serious breaches of catholicity.”
I have a number of qualms about the validity of Ould’s reading of the Councils’ “principle of diocesan integrity.” First of all, his reading would have required Christians under the authority of Arian or Donatist leaders to remain under that authority — that is, under the authority of the very people whose vies the Councils were summoned in order to denounce. It is not likely that Augustine or Jerome would have endorsed the principle that Ould articulates here.
But let me address this issue more directly. I left the Episcopal Church and joined a new Anglican church largely because I did not want to have my son instructed in beliefs I do not share. Consider this: the man who is now the rector at the parish I left — a wonderfully kind and generous man, by the way — preached, on Easter Sunday no less, that it does not matter whether Jesus was or was not raised physically from the dead. Now, I happen to think that it matters very much whether Jesus was or was not raised from the dead, and unless I am tragically mistaken, St. Paul did too (see 1 Corinthians 15). I am glad that my son, instead of hearing this sermon, heard a sermon from Father Martin Johnson that joyfully and boldly proclaimed the fact of the Resurrection.
What does Peter Ould have to say to me? He does not believe that All Souls’ Church should exist, at least in its current form, so what options does he think were legitimate and appropriate ones for us? Is it his view that we we obliged to remain at our former church and allow our son to receive false teaching — and not just from the pulpit — which we could then, presumably, correct once we got home? Or would we be allowed to form a new church as long as it had no bishop other than TEC’s — an independent church, say? How about becoming Baptists or Presbyterians or Methodists? If Ould’s concern is the maintaining of catholicity, and catholicity requires bishops whose territories are geographically distinct, then attending any of those non-Anglican churches would violate catholicity just as much as attending a church affiliated with the Southern Cone would.
[More than 95 theses] 6 Aug 2008--But on another point I think Ould is mistaken, and dangerously so. In his view, the diocesan “boundary crossings” — like the one that has led to the creation of my church, All Souls’ Anglican, are simply and plainly sinful. They are “acts of sin in response to sin”; “If we truly believe that the Spirit was at work in the Ecumenical Councils of the first millenium, then we have to see these violations of the Nicene principle of diocesan integrity as serious breaches of catholicity.”
I have a number of qualms about the validity of Ould’s reading of the Councils’ “principle of diocesan integrity.” First of all, his reading would have required Christians under the authority of Arian or Donatist leaders to remain under that authority — that is, under the authority of the very people whose vies the Councils were summoned in order to denounce. It is not likely that Augustine or Jerome would have endorsed the principle that Ould articulates here.
But let me address this issue more directly. I left the Episcopal Church and joined a new Anglican church largely because I did not want to have my son instructed in beliefs I do not share. Consider this: the man who is now the rector at the parish I left — a wonderfully kind and generous man, by the way — preached, on Easter Sunday no less, that it does not matter whether Jesus was or was not raised physically from the dead. Now, I happen to think that it matters very much whether Jesus was or was not raised from the dead, and unless I am tragically mistaken, St. Paul did too (see 1 Corinthians 15). I am glad that my son, instead of hearing this sermon, heard a sermon from Father Martin Johnson that joyfully and boldly proclaimed the fact of the Resurrection.
What does Peter Ould have to say to me? He does not believe that All Souls’ Church should exist, at least in its current form, so what options does he think were legitimate and appropriate ones for us? Is it his view that we we obliged to remain at our former church and allow our son to receive false teaching — and not just from the pulpit — which we could then, presumably, correct once we got home? Or would we be allowed to form a new church as long as it had no bishop other than TEC’s — an independent church, say? How about becoming Baptists or Presbyterians or Methodists? If Ould’s concern is the maintaining of catholicity, and catholicity requires bishops whose territories are geographically distinct, then attending any of those non-Anglican churches would violate catholicity just as much as attending a church affiliated with the Southern Cone would.
Is The 'Anglican Communion' Dividing?
http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=28816
[Catholic Online] 6 Aug 2008--St. Peter, as the legend goes, was fleeing the persecution in Rome when he met Christ going the other way. The Lord asked him, "Quo Vadis?" -- where are you going? He might well be asking the members of the Anglican Communion the same question. Their reply would be, "We're not quite sure, Lord, but we think we're going in about five different directions right now."
In other words, the Anglican Communion is splitting up. Like a great ship that has hit an iceberg, the whole thing is breaking into pieces. This summer has seen several different events that have brought the crisis to a climax.
[Catholic Online] 6 Aug 2008--St. Peter, as the legend goes, was fleeing the persecution in Rome when he met Christ going the other way. The Lord asked him, "Quo Vadis?" -- where are you going? He might well be asking the members of the Anglican Communion the same question. Their reply would be, "We're not quite sure, Lord, but we think we're going in about five different directions right now."
In other words, the Anglican Communion is splitting up. Like a great ship that has hit an iceberg, the whole thing is breaking into pieces. This summer has seen several different events that have brought the crisis to a climax.
The Trigger-Happy Church
http://accurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2008/08/trigger-happy-church.html
[Anglican Curmudgeon] 6 Aug 2008--At Lambeth, TEC's bishops were (whether deliberately, or negligently---it makes no difference) giving out wrong information about the lawsuits they are involved in with their own parishes. The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt. Rev. Jonathan Gledhill, in the Province of Canterbury, reports on his Weblog about the meeting of his indaba group on August 2 (Day 18 of the Lambeth Conference):
In the discussion afterwards we are told that the US House of Bishops has regretted for the hurt it has caused and its lack of consultation and has issued a public apology - though no one has the exact wording. We are also told that the Canadians have voted against same-sex blessings - though two dioceses are pressing their bishops to change that. We are told that in the lawsuits in America between parishes and their dioceses it is the dioceses who are the defendants and the conservative parishes who are the accusers.
Since it is well known to many individual Episcopalians who have been involved in the many lawsuits instigated and still pending at all levels here that the statement I have put into boldface type above is simply not the case, it did not take long for a blog reader familiar with the details in Virginia to inform the good Bishop of the facts on the ground there. The Rev. Canon Kendall Harmon put the information up on his site at TitusOneNine, and it elicited this comment from a reader:
In the interest of being scrupulously fair: this just refers to the Virginia situation, is it possible there are other parishes/dioceses where the reasserters are suing?
Well, let us be scrupulously fair, and see just what the facts are. The Episcopal Church and/or one of its Dioceses played the role of plaintiff---the party who initiates a case in court, by filing a complaint---in bringing the pending or former lawsuits I have listed below over Church property and assets in the courts of the United States. This list makes no claim to be complete; it comprises just the ones I have read about (I have listed them alphabetically by State, and not chronologically)....
[Anglican Curmudgeon] 6 Aug 2008--At Lambeth, TEC's bishops were (whether deliberately, or negligently---it makes no difference) giving out wrong information about the lawsuits they are involved in with their own parishes. The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt. Rev. Jonathan Gledhill, in the Province of Canterbury, reports on his Weblog about the meeting of his indaba group on August 2 (Day 18 of the Lambeth Conference):
In the discussion afterwards we are told that the US House of Bishops has regretted for the hurt it has caused and its lack of consultation and has issued a public apology - though no one has the exact wording. We are also told that the Canadians have voted against same-sex blessings - though two dioceses are pressing their bishops to change that. We are told that in the lawsuits in America between parishes and their dioceses it is the dioceses who are the defendants and the conservative parishes who are the accusers.
Since it is well known to many individual Episcopalians who have been involved in the many lawsuits instigated and still pending at all levels here that the statement I have put into boldface type above is simply not the case, it did not take long for a blog reader familiar with the details in Virginia to inform the good Bishop of the facts on the ground there. The Rev. Canon Kendall Harmon put the information up on his site at TitusOneNine, and it elicited this comment from a reader:
In the interest of being scrupulously fair: this just refers to the Virginia situation, is it possible there are other parishes/dioceses where the reasserters are suing?
Well, let us be scrupulously fair, and see just what the facts are. The Episcopal Church and/or one of its Dioceses played the role of plaintiff---the party who initiates a case in court, by filing a complaint---in bringing the pending or former lawsuits I have listed below over Church property and assets in the courts of the United States. This list makes no claim to be complete; it comprises just the ones I have read about (I have listed them alphabetically by State, and not chronologically)....
Salvation through Buddhism?
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/september/1.20.html
[Christianity Today] 6 Aug 2008--Many Christian leaders lamented the results of a Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey from June, which revealed that 57 percent of those affiliated with evangelical churches agree with the statement that many religions can lead to eternal life.
But that number may not be as alarming as it first appears, said Terry Mattingly, editor of media blog GetReligion. Many survey respondents, he said, may not have distinguished between religion and denomination.
[Christianity Today] 6 Aug 2008--Many Christian leaders lamented the results of a Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey from June, which revealed that 57 percent of those affiliated with evangelical churches agree with the statement that many religions can lead to eternal life.
But that number may not be as alarming as it first appears, said Terry Mattingly, editor of media blog GetReligion. Many survey respondents, he said, may not have distinguished between religion and denomination.
Homosexual Honesty
http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2008/08/06/homosexual-honesty/#more-4630
[Anglican Mainstream] 6 Aug 2008--It is nice to get a bit of honesty on the issue of homosexuality. It does not come our way very often in the mainstream media. And when this honesty comes from homosexual activists, it is even more refreshing. Indeed, when heterosexuals tell the truth about homosexuality, they are dismissed as homophobes. So what happens to homosexual truth tellers? Are they homophobic as well?
A very revealing case of homosexual honesty comes from Peter Tatchell, an Australian-born, British-based homosexual activist, who spills the beans on the “gay gene”. There is none, he asserts, and says homosexual desire is not genetically determined.
Writing for Spiked online, June 24, 2008, he makes some very interesting remarks about homosexual determinism. He in fact sounds very much like, well, me. I have been saying similar things for years, and have been howled down by the homosexual lobby as bigoted, intolerant and homophobic. But it is nice to hear homosexuals saying similar things.
[Anglican Mainstream] 6 Aug 2008--It is nice to get a bit of honesty on the issue of homosexuality. It does not come our way very often in the mainstream media. And when this honesty comes from homosexual activists, it is even more refreshing. Indeed, when heterosexuals tell the truth about homosexuality, they are dismissed as homophobes. So what happens to homosexual truth tellers? Are they homophobic as well?
A very revealing case of homosexual honesty comes from Peter Tatchell, an Australian-born, British-based homosexual activist, who spills the beans on the “gay gene”. There is none, he asserts, and says homosexual desire is not genetically determined.
Writing for Spiked online, June 24, 2008, he makes some very interesting remarks about homosexual determinism. He in fact sounds very much like, well, me. I have been saying similar things for years, and have been howled down by the homosexual lobby as bigoted, intolerant and homophobic. But it is nice to hear homosexuals saying similar things.
Lambeth at a ‘Local’ Level
http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2008/08/06/lambeth-at-a-local-level/#more-4631
[Anglican Mainstream] 6 Aug 2008--Knowing something of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s reputation for the deconstruction and emptying of the Anglican church in America ( her Sunday sermon at Salisbury on Sunday, July 13th made reference to tearing down the church in order to make something new ), I also took myself and my (long suffering) wife, along to the forum at Salisbury Cathedral on the evening of Monday, 14th July, in anticipation of asking a few questions. I have to say, Shirley, that I came away from that evening with my worst fears confirmed. This lady, at the very least, is an impostor who needs to be exposed and, at worst, a false prophet, warnings about whom are given in numerous places in the Bible.
Just in case I had not listened carefully enough to what Katharine had said I tried, the following day, to procure a transcript or recording of the evening but was told that the machinery had malfunctioned. This, therefore is my recollection of the evening, and please correct me where necessary.
Bishop Katharine started the evening by giving a little, academic talk on the Latin for “conversation” and how it had its roots in monastic life. This immediately gave a tone of authority and credibility that I can only assume was designed to put us at a disadvantage. I understand that this is a standard tactic of hers. She then started to talk about conversations, especially those in the Garden of Eden and at the River Jordon. My mind immediately shot to the Lambeth Conference, where indeed the theme has been conversations - and listening, a lot of listening - in groups of 40, called “Endabas.” As Archbishop Jonathan Sentamu pointed out, Endabas have not worked in South Africa so why should they work there? However I was more minded of the conversation between Balaam and his donkey.
However, my blood pressure started to rise when she replaced the recipient, Jesus Christ , of God’s affirmation (“ You are my Son, whom I love. With you I am well pleased.” Mark 1.11) with us. This was clearly an abuse of scripture, like Genesis 15:6, that credits us with righteousness, through faith (in the Jesus Christ). She then proceeded, for seven minutes to skilfully manipulate and massage 400 souls, sitting beneath the high vaulting of the north transept of this ancient building, with that distinctive slow and mesmeric drawl. She led us with her rod and staff into paths of introspection that were designed to engender the feel-good factor and hopefully to put to bed anyone, like myself, who might have come with the slightest of negative thoughts. The lady is a consummate performer. Naturally this begged for a response from the assembled: “How did people feel?” As one person after another bared their feelings to this lady, I became more than a little tortured with the thought that maybe this was the direction in which the whole evening was going; so I raised my hand so as to ask a question. The Bishop of Ramsbury, officiating from the platform, extended the sceptre towards me and I was offered the microphone.
Talking of conversations I spoke about one that I had had two weeks previously, on the steps of All Souls, Langham Place , London, with the celebrated homosexual activist, Peter Tatchell. I likened our conversation to that between the two thieves hanging either side of Jesus Christ. One was trying to make the other realise that both of them deserved God’s wrath but that Jesus Christ was indeed totally innocent. He was numbered amongst the transgressors and there was none of “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.” The temperature became a little arctic here, I believe.
[Anglican Mainstream] 6 Aug 2008--Knowing something of Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s reputation for the deconstruction and emptying of the Anglican church in America ( her Sunday sermon at Salisbury on Sunday, July 13th made reference to tearing down the church in order to make something new ), I also took myself and my (long suffering) wife, along to the forum at Salisbury Cathedral on the evening of Monday, 14th July, in anticipation of asking a few questions. I have to say, Shirley, that I came away from that evening with my worst fears confirmed. This lady, at the very least, is an impostor who needs to be exposed and, at worst, a false prophet, warnings about whom are given in numerous places in the Bible.
Just in case I had not listened carefully enough to what Katharine had said I tried, the following day, to procure a transcript or recording of the evening but was told that the machinery had malfunctioned. This, therefore is my recollection of the evening, and please correct me where necessary.
Bishop Katharine started the evening by giving a little, academic talk on the Latin for “conversation” and how it had its roots in monastic life. This immediately gave a tone of authority and credibility that I can only assume was designed to put us at a disadvantage. I understand that this is a standard tactic of hers. She then started to talk about conversations, especially those in the Garden of Eden and at the River Jordon. My mind immediately shot to the Lambeth Conference, where indeed the theme has been conversations - and listening, a lot of listening - in groups of 40, called “Endabas.” As Archbishop Jonathan Sentamu pointed out, Endabas have not worked in South Africa so why should they work there? However I was more minded of the conversation between Balaam and his donkey.
However, my blood pressure started to rise when she replaced the recipient, Jesus Christ , of God’s affirmation (“ You are my Son, whom I love. With you I am well pleased.” Mark 1.11) with us. This was clearly an abuse of scripture, like Genesis 15:6, that credits us with righteousness, through faith (in the Jesus Christ). She then proceeded, for seven minutes to skilfully manipulate and massage 400 souls, sitting beneath the high vaulting of the north transept of this ancient building, with that distinctive slow and mesmeric drawl. She led us with her rod and staff into paths of introspection that were designed to engender the feel-good factor and hopefully to put to bed anyone, like myself, who might have come with the slightest of negative thoughts. The lady is a consummate performer. Naturally this begged for a response from the assembled: “How did people feel?” As one person after another bared their feelings to this lady, I became more than a little tortured with the thought that maybe this was the direction in which the whole evening was going; so I raised my hand so as to ask a question. The Bishop of Ramsbury, officiating from the platform, extended the sceptre towards me and I was offered the microphone.
Talking of conversations I spoke about one that I had had two weeks previously, on the steps of All Souls, Langham Place , London, with the celebrated homosexual activist, Peter Tatchell. I likened our conversation to that between the two thieves hanging either side of Jesus Christ. One was trying to make the other realise that both of them deserved God’s wrath but that Jesus Christ was indeed totally innocent. He was numbered amongst the transgressors and there was none of “This is my son in whom I am well pleased.” The temperature became a little arctic here, I believe.
Five million quid down the drain as Lambeth Conference ends
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/damian_thompson/blog/2008/08/04/five_million_quid_down_the_drain_as_lambeth_conference_ends
[Telegraph] 6 Aug 2008--Well, that was a waste of everyone's time. The Archbishop of Canterbury's spin doctors may pretend that the £5 million Lambeth Conference was an unexpected success because the 650 bishops didn't actually come to blows. Oh, please.
I'll tell you what was an unexpected success: the Gafcon meeting of anti-gay conservatives in Jerusalem, which managed to keep well within the boundaries of the Anglican Communion even though 230 of its bishops boycotted Lambeth.
Gafcon put the wind up the Lambeth bishops so thoroughly that most of them were more than happy to shift the blame for the troubles of the Anglican Communion on to gay-ordaining American Episcopalians. And, in the absence of votes, they didn't have to put their hands up in order to do so. They just vaguely assented to a smorgasbord of "structures" dreamt up by Rowan and his allies which are targeted at liberals but which will take years to come into force – by which time the Episcopal Church will be marrying and consecrating every gay and lesbian it can lay its hands on.
Rowan's cheerleaders were ready to declare the conference a triumph of statesmanship when Jonathan Wynne-Jones broke the story in the Sunday Telegraph that two senior bishops – Winchester and Exeter – were asking Dr Williams to organise a peaceful separation between the "core Communion" and the liberal fringe. Indeed, Bishop Michael Scott-Joynt of Winchester explicitly said that Rowan's "covenant" scheme was unlikely to work.
[Telegraph] 6 Aug 2008--Well, that was a waste of everyone's time. The Archbishop of Canterbury's spin doctors may pretend that the £5 million Lambeth Conference was an unexpected success because the 650 bishops didn't actually come to blows. Oh, please.
I'll tell you what was an unexpected success: the Gafcon meeting of anti-gay conservatives in Jerusalem, which managed to keep well within the boundaries of the Anglican Communion even though 230 of its bishops boycotted Lambeth.
Gafcon put the wind up the Lambeth bishops so thoroughly that most of them were more than happy to shift the blame for the troubles of the Anglican Communion on to gay-ordaining American Episcopalians. And, in the absence of votes, they didn't have to put their hands up in order to do so. They just vaguely assented to a smorgasbord of "structures" dreamt up by Rowan and his allies which are targeted at liberals but which will take years to come into force – by which time the Episcopal Church will be marrying and consecrating every gay and lesbian it can lay its hands on.
Rowan's cheerleaders were ready to declare the conference a triumph of statesmanship when Jonathan Wynne-Jones broke the story in the Sunday Telegraph that two senior bishops – Winchester and Exeter – were asking Dr Williams to organise a peaceful separation between the "core Communion" and the liberal fringe. Indeed, Bishop Michael Scott-Joynt of Winchester explicitly said that Rowan's "covenant" scheme was unlikely to work.
Christian Aid launches Africa food crisis appeal
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.aid.launches.africa.food.crisis.appeal/21168.htm
[Christianity Today UK] 6 Aug 2008--International development agency Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal to support the millions of people going hungry across Africa in the face of escalating food prices.
In its scale and reach, this is a crisis of proportions unmatched for decades. Most African countries are not self-sufficient in food and are now being hit by massive price hikes so that once cheap imports are unaffordable. In the first three months of this year, all major foodstuffs hit their highest prices in real terms for nearly 30 years, according the World Food Programme (WFP).
Ethiopia is facing a potential catastrophe with 126,000 children in immediate danger of death and a further six million at risk of malnutrition, according to the UN. Kenya has seen price hikes of 50 per cent in six months.
[Christianity Today UK] 6 Aug 2008--International development agency Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal to support the millions of people going hungry across Africa in the face of escalating food prices.
In its scale and reach, this is a crisis of proportions unmatched for decades. Most African countries are not self-sufficient in food and are now being hit by massive price hikes so that once cheap imports are unaffordable. In the first three months of this year, all major foodstuffs hit their highest prices in real terms for nearly 30 years, according the World Food Programme (WFP).
Ethiopia is facing a potential catastrophe with 126,000 children in immediate danger of death and a further six million at risk of malnutrition, according to the UN. Kenya has seen price hikes of 50 per cent in six months.
The Post-Lambeth Anglican Communion: Clarified Divisions, Hardened Stances, & Unfettered “Freedom”
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/15164/
[Stand Firm] 6 Aug 2008--With that being said, what can an Anglican within TEC who has no place to go -- he or she has examined and rejected the Baptists, various other mainline churches, various splinters from mainline churches, Rome, Orthodoxy, and the alternate Anglican entities -- actually accomplish as an Anglican within TEC, now that the historic, once-every-decade Lambeth Conference has come and gone?
I have several principles to articulate, and then some concrete actions to recommend. My hope is that these thoughts will help me to focus, and also help those not only in TEC but also in other troubled provinces in the West -- Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, for instance -- to think through how they must move through the Post-Lambeth Anglican world....
[Stand Firm] 6 Aug 2008--With that being said, what can an Anglican within TEC who has no place to go -- he or she has examined and rejected the Baptists, various other mainline churches, various splinters from mainline churches, Rome, Orthodoxy, and the alternate Anglican entities -- actually accomplish as an Anglican within TEC, now that the historic, once-every-decade Lambeth Conference has come and gone?
I have several principles to articulate, and then some concrete actions to recommend. My hope is that these thoughts will help me to focus, and also help those not only in TEC but also in other troubled provinces in the West -- Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, for instance -- to think through how they must move through the Post-Lambeth Anglican world....
Labour MP Attempts to Remove Religious Freedom of Conscience after Christian Marriage Registrar Victory
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08080503.html
[LifeSite News] 6 Aug 2008--The victory of a Christian marriage registrar who had asked to be allowed to recuse herself from performing homosexual civil partnership ceremonies, has infuriated secularist and homosexual activists in the media and in Parliament. A Labour MP has tabled a motion in Parliament that would eliminate the freedom of religious conscience of public servants who oppose the homosexualist political agenda.
The motion, tabled by Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, urges ministers to amend the law to ensure that public servants with "arbitrary" religious beliefs will be forced to either violate their conscience or quit their jobs.
The motion proposes, "That this house believes that no public servant should be allowed to discriminate on this arbitrary basis and, should this case not be reversed on appeal, calls on the Government to clarify and amend the law to guard the public against discrimination and prejudice by public servants in the future."
In July, Lillian Ladele won a complaint against the Islington Council in which she complained that her work environment had been made intolerable over her religiously based conscientious objection to homosexual civil unions.
[LifeSite News] 6 Aug 2008--The victory of a Christian marriage registrar who had asked to be allowed to recuse herself from performing homosexual civil partnership ceremonies, has infuriated secularist and homosexual activists in the media and in Parliament. A Labour MP has tabled a motion in Parliament that would eliminate the freedom of religious conscience of public servants who oppose the homosexualist political agenda.
The motion, tabled by Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, urges ministers to amend the law to ensure that public servants with "arbitrary" religious beliefs will be forced to either violate their conscience or quit their jobs.
The motion proposes, "That this house believes that no public servant should be allowed to discriminate on this arbitrary basis and, should this case not be reversed on appeal, calls on the Government to clarify and amend the law to guard the public against discrimination and prejudice by public servants in the future."
In July, Lillian Ladele won a complaint against the Islington Council in which she complained that her work environment had been made intolerable over her religiously based conscientious objection to homosexual civil unions.
The Challenges of Covenant and Canons for the Future of a Ius Commune Anglicanae
http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/sse/The%20Challenges%20of%20Covenant%20and%20Canons%20and%20the%20Future%20of%20a%20Ius%20Commune%20Anglicanae.pdf
[Global South Anglican] 6 Aug 2008--“The Covenant as an instrument by itself fails to address the fullness of the conciliar tradition that needs to be regained by Anglicans. A church rooted in the catholic heritage is called to be church rooted in the claims a deposit of faith that includes a canonical and conciliar tradition that is one of the marks of the church since the Apostolic Period. Anglicanism abandoned a conciliar and canonical understanding of the church when Henry Tudor ascribed all legislative responsibility to the Parliament at the Reformation. A draft of a Covenant without a canonical and conciliar structure illustrates once again that Anglican leaders seem unable to grasp the conciliar nature of the Church. A new model for a new day is required where conversations about Canons and Covenants are not simply the speculation of non-binding conferences that insure autonomy over and above authority. The blending of covenant and canon is a way to embrace the conciliar model where matters of faith and practice at all levels of the Church come into an expression of praxis that is framed in a theology of the church that is biblical, Christological, salvific historical and ecclesiological in character consistent for the ages.”
[Global South Anglican] 6 Aug 2008--“The Covenant as an instrument by itself fails to address the fullness of the conciliar tradition that needs to be regained by Anglicans. A church rooted in the catholic heritage is called to be church rooted in the claims a deposit of faith that includes a canonical and conciliar tradition that is one of the marks of the church since the Apostolic Period. Anglicanism abandoned a conciliar and canonical understanding of the church when Henry Tudor ascribed all legislative responsibility to the Parliament at the Reformation. A draft of a Covenant without a canonical and conciliar structure illustrates once again that Anglican leaders seem unable to grasp the conciliar nature of the Church. A new model for a new day is required where conversations about Canons and Covenants are not simply the speculation of non-binding conferences that insure autonomy over and above authority. The blending of covenant and canon is a way to embrace the conciliar model where matters of faith and practice at all levels of the Church come into an expression of praxis that is framed in a theology of the church that is biblical, Christological, salvific historical and ecclesiological in character consistent for the ages.”
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Anglican bishops critical of Archbishop of Canterbury’s plan for church unity
http://catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=13436
[Catholic News Agency] 5 Aug 2008--Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has said the Anglican Communion can help solve its present conflicts by observing moratoria upon the blessing of same-sex unions, the consecration of openly homosexual bishops, and the consecration of bishops who cross province boundaries to minister to evangelical congregations in liberal dioceses. However, some Anglican bishops say the plan will not work, with one prelate calling for the liberal churches’ “orderly separation” from the communion.
Archbishop Williams, speaking in an address on Sunday that marked the close of the Anglican Communion’s 2008 Lambeth Conference, said the “pieces are on the board” to overcome Anglican controversies which include concerns surrounding theology, biblical authority, and sexual ethics. Advocating a “global Church of interdependent communities,” he said there was still much work to do to overcome the disputes, the Times Online reports.
However, it is believed that conservative bishops will continue to consecrate boundary-crossing bishops. Bishop Gregory Venables, the Primate of the Southern Cone, has taken an entire U.S. diocese into his province and is expected to continue attracting parishes and diocese from the Episcopal Church.
Meanwhile, homosexual lobbyists in the U.S.-based group Integrity said they would fight the moratoria forbidding the ordination of homosexual clergy and the blessing of same-sex unions.
"We bless same-sex relationships and will continue to do so,” said Reverend Susan Russell, a member of Integrity.
[Catholic News Agency] 5 Aug 2008--Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has said the Anglican Communion can help solve its present conflicts by observing moratoria upon the blessing of same-sex unions, the consecration of openly homosexual bishops, and the consecration of bishops who cross province boundaries to minister to evangelical congregations in liberal dioceses. However, some Anglican bishops say the plan will not work, with one prelate calling for the liberal churches’ “orderly separation” from the communion.
Archbishop Williams, speaking in an address on Sunday that marked the close of the Anglican Communion’s 2008 Lambeth Conference, said the “pieces are on the board” to overcome Anglican controversies which include concerns surrounding theology, biblical authority, and sexual ethics. Advocating a “global Church of interdependent communities,” he said there was still much work to do to overcome the disputes, the Times Online reports.
However, it is believed that conservative bishops will continue to consecrate boundary-crossing bishops. Bishop Gregory Venables, the Primate of the Southern Cone, has taken an entire U.S. diocese into his province and is expected to continue attracting parishes and diocese from the Episcopal Church.
Meanwhile, homosexual lobbyists in the U.S.-based group Integrity said they would fight the moratoria forbidding the ordination of homosexual clergy and the blessing of same-sex unions.
"We bless same-sex relationships and will continue to do so,” said Reverend Susan Russell, a member of Integrity.
Archbishop Peter Jensen on Lambeth 2008
http://acl.asn.au/abp-peter-jensen-statement-on-lambeth08/
[Anglican Church League] 5 Aug 2008--“We have been praying for the Lambeth conference and now that it has ended we look forward to talking with those who were there.
It seems it has fulfilled the desires of the Archbishop of Canterbury and we also look forward to hearing from him.
Our absence focussed minds on the problems within the communion and spoke louder than our presence would have. However, the issues which have caused such division are still before us and require decisive action so that the mission of the church will not be further impaired.”
[Anglican Church League] 5 Aug 2008--“We have been praying for the Lambeth conference and now that it has ended we look forward to talking with those who were there.
It seems it has fulfilled the desires of the Archbishop of Canterbury and we also look forward to hearing from him.
Our absence focussed minds on the problems within the communion and spoke louder than our presence would have. However, the issues which have caused such division are still before us and require decisive action so that the mission of the church will not be further impaired.”
Reflections on the Lambeth Reflections
http://ugleyvicar.blogspot.com/2008/08/reflections-on-lambeth-reflections.html
[The Ugley Vicar] 5 Aug 2008--Is there somewhere on earth where the Sunday afternoons are so interminably long and wet that one’s life would be more enhanced by reading in detail the Reflections on the Lambeth Conference 2008 than by, say, watching another re-run of The Great Escape or attempting again a Sudoku puzzle you messed up earlier? Perhaps there is, but for most of us life is too short for me to recommend the exercise (in fact I would much rather you read my own reflections on What on earth is God doing? than even these comments).
We need to remind ourselves what the Lambeth Conference was convened to achieve. The answer is, nothing. Remember, with the exception of the very first (and with interruptions for world wars), Lambeth Conferences have occurred decennially. They are held because it is time to hold one, not (essentially) because there is something that needs to be done which only a gathering of Anglican bishops from all the corners of the globe can achieve.
[The Ugley Vicar] 5 Aug 2008--Is there somewhere on earth where the Sunday afternoons are so interminably long and wet that one’s life would be more enhanced by reading in detail the Reflections on the Lambeth Conference 2008 than by, say, watching another re-run of The Great Escape or attempting again a Sudoku puzzle you messed up earlier? Perhaps there is, but for most of us life is too short for me to recommend the exercise (in fact I would much rather you read my own reflections on What on earth is God doing? than even these comments).
We need to remind ourselves what the Lambeth Conference was convened to achieve. The answer is, nothing. Remember, with the exception of the very first (and with interruptions for world wars), Lambeth Conferences have occurred decennially. They are held because it is time to hold one, not (essentially) because there is something that needs to be done which only a gathering of Anglican bishops from all the corners of the globe can achieve.
Radio Hall of Fame will not Bow to Homosexual Pressure to Dump Dobson
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08080103.html
[LifeSite News] 5 Aug 2008--The National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago has drawn the wrath of homosexual activists who object to the induction of Dr. James Dobson, a major figure in the US Christian pro-life and family movement. Wayne Besen, a homosexual activist, organised a campaign against the Hall of Fame that resulted in several hundred emails demanding that Dr. Dobson be removed from the list of nominees.
Dr. Dobson is the founder and head of Focus on the Family, one of the most prominent US Protestant evangelical organisations. According to homosexual activist Wayne Besen, Dr. Dobson is "an extremist who has built his empire on the backs of gays and lesbians" and "a bigot who distorts scientific research." Focus on the Family is one of Besen's favourite targets and he has set up a website meant to refute the medical and psychological research put forward by Focus on the nature and treatment of homosexuality as a disorder.
"It is an affront for the Radio Hall of Fame to honor James Dobson, a right wing demagogue," said Besen.
Since the late 1970s Focus has been a leading advocate of traditional Christian social values, those most derided and demonized by the homosexualist and feminist movements. Dobson broadcast his first Focus radio broadcast in 1977 and currently reaches about 220 million people in 164 countries. In the 1980s, Focus became a key player in the efforts to bring together a coalition of Christian denominations to fight the "Culture Wars" over abortion, the defence of natural marriage and the rights of Christians in the public square.
Gary Schneeberger, vice president for media and public relations (PR) at Focus on the Family, said that Besen's complaint is noisy and has generated a lot of media attention, but is lacking substance.
[LifeSite News] 5 Aug 2008--The National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago has drawn the wrath of homosexual activists who object to the induction of Dr. James Dobson, a major figure in the US Christian pro-life and family movement. Wayne Besen, a homosexual activist, organised a campaign against the Hall of Fame that resulted in several hundred emails demanding that Dr. Dobson be removed from the list of nominees.
Dr. Dobson is the founder and head of Focus on the Family, one of the most prominent US Protestant evangelical organisations. According to homosexual activist Wayne Besen, Dr. Dobson is "an extremist who has built his empire on the backs of gays and lesbians" and "a bigot who distorts scientific research." Focus on the Family is one of Besen's favourite targets and he has set up a website meant to refute the medical and psychological research put forward by Focus on the nature and treatment of homosexuality as a disorder.
"It is an affront for the Radio Hall of Fame to honor James Dobson, a right wing demagogue," said Besen.
Since the late 1970s Focus has been a leading advocate of traditional Christian social values, those most derided and demonized by the homosexualist and feminist movements. Dobson broadcast his first Focus radio broadcast in 1977 and currently reaches about 220 million people in 164 countries. In the 1980s, Focus became a key player in the efforts to bring together a coalition of Christian denominations to fight the "Culture Wars" over abortion, the defence of natural marriage and the rights of Christians in the public square.
Gary Schneeberger, vice president for media and public relations (PR) at Focus on the Family, said that Besen's complaint is noisy and has generated a lot of media attention, but is lacking substance.
Uganda First Lady Decries Increase in Risky Sexual Behavior while West Threatens to Pull Funding over Ugandan "Homophobia"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08080107.html
[LifeSite News] 5 Aug 2008--At the premiere of the soon-to-be-released documentary "Miss HIV" in Kampala, the wife of Uganda's president, Janet Museveni, lamented the rise in dangerous sexual behaviour in the country and the resultant rise in HIV-AIDS rates.
According to New Vision, Musevini said that Ugandans are abandoning behavior-based solutions to HIV-AIDS in favour of methods, imported from the West, that only serve to perpetuate the disease.
"It is not too late to reverse the trend," she said. "We can adopt our own indigenous solutions, which are less expensive and are 100% sure of preventing the spread of this deadly disease. I find it very baffling how we could throw away what worked, and embrace ideas from elsewhere. Then we watched as rates of infection soared again to claim lives."
Musevini's words echoed those of anti-AIDS crusader Sam Ruteikara, who wrote in the Washington Post several weeks ago that Western methods of combating AIDS, which strive to protect casual sex at all costs, are being imported into Uganda and are resulting in a rise in risky sexual behaviour and the overall HIV-AIDS rate.
[LifeSite News] 5 Aug 2008--At the premiere of the soon-to-be-released documentary "Miss HIV" in Kampala, the wife of Uganda's president, Janet Museveni, lamented the rise in dangerous sexual behaviour in the country and the resultant rise in HIV-AIDS rates.
According to New Vision, Musevini said that Ugandans are abandoning behavior-based solutions to HIV-AIDS in favour of methods, imported from the West, that only serve to perpetuate the disease.
"It is not too late to reverse the trend," she said. "We can adopt our own indigenous solutions, which are less expensive and are 100% sure of preventing the spread of this deadly disease. I find it very baffling how we could throw away what worked, and embrace ideas from elsewhere. Then we watched as rates of infection soared again to claim lives."
Musevini's words echoed those of anti-AIDS crusader Sam Ruteikara, who wrote in the Washington Post several weeks ago that Western methods of combating AIDS, which strive to protect casual sex at all costs, are being imported into Uganda and are resulting in a rise in risky sexual behaviour and the overall HIV-AIDS rate.
Surmise, frustration, and interest greet proposals
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=61273
[Church Times] 5 Aug 2008--Initial reactions to the Windsor Continuation Group’s suggestions reflected a scepticism that exists within the group itself. On the subject of the moratoriums, the group acknowledges that, on three previous occasions, most recently the Primates’ Meeting in Dar es Salaam in 2007, requests to desist have been “less than wholeheartedly embraced on both sides”.
As a result, much surmise and varying degrees of frustration followed Monday’s airing of the group’s observations, writes Pat Ashworth. Even the Bishop of Durham, Dr Tom Wright, was throwing up his hands and could not come up with a comment.
[Church Times] 5 Aug 2008--Initial reactions to the Windsor Continuation Group’s suggestions reflected a scepticism that exists within the group itself. On the subject of the moratoriums, the group acknowledges that, on three previous occasions, most recently the Primates’ Meeting in Dar es Salaam in 2007, requests to desist have been “less than wholeheartedly embraced on both sides”.
As a result, much surmise and varying degrees of frustration followed Monday’s airing of the group’s observations, writes Pat Ashworth. Even the Bishop of Durham, Dr Tom Wright, was throwing up his hands and could not come up with a comment.
Top Hamas Leader’s Son Converts to Christianity
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080804/top-hamas-leader-s-son-converts-to-christianity.htm
[The Christian Post] 5 Aug 2008--The son of a top Hamas leader has converted to Christianity and prays someday his family will also accept Jesus Christ as their savior, an Israeli newspaper reported.
Masab Yousef, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef, revealed for the first time in an exclusive interview with Haaretz newspaper that he has left Islam and is now a Christian. Prior to the interview’s publication last Thursday, Yousef’s family did not know of his faith conversion even though he is in regular contact with them.
“[T]his interview will open many people's eyes, it will shake Islam from the roots, and I'm not exaggerating,” Yousef, who now resides in the United States, said. “What other case do you know where a son of a Hamas leader, who was raised on the tenets of extremist Islam, comes out against it?”
“I consider Islam a big lie,” said the son of one of Hamas’ founders. “The people who supposedly represent the religion admired Mohammed more than God, killed innocent people in the name of Islam, beat their wives and don’t have any idea what God is.
“I have no doubt that they’ll go to hell. I have a message for them: There is only one way to Paradise – the way of Jesus who sacrificed himself on the cross for all of us.”
[The Christian Post] 5 Aug 2008--The son of a top Hamas leader has converted to Christianity and prays someday his family will also accept Jesus Christ as their savior, an Israeli newspaper reported.
Masab Yousef, son of West Bank Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef, revealed for the first time in an exclusive interview with Haaretz newspaper that he has left Islam and is now a Christian. Prior to the interview’s publication last Thursday, Yousef’s family did not know of his faith conversion even though he is in regular contact with them.
“[T]his interview will open many people's eyes, it will shake Islam from the roots, and I'm not exaggerating,” Yousef, who now resides in the United States, said. “What other case do you know where a son of a Hamas leader, who was raised on the tenets of extremist Islam, comes out against it?”
“I consider Islam a big lie,” said the son of one of Hamas’ founders. “The people who supposedly represent the religion admired Mohammed more than God, killed innocent people in the name of Islam, beat their wives and don’t have any idea what God is.
“I have no doubt that they’ll go to hell. I have a message for them: There is only one way to Paradise – the way of Jesus who sacrificed himself on the cross for all of us.”
Uganda: Time to Apologise to Victims of Homosexuality
http://allafrica.com/stories/200807290538.html
[allAfrica.com] 5 Aug 2008--The Pope's visit to Australia has been eclipsed by a public outcry from victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests, according to an article published in Reuters of July 19. The victims seem to point to the major avenue of homosexual practice and how it was propagated the world over.
The Pope's public apology on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church to victims of sexual abuse in Australia comes hot on the heels of another similar apology made in the US. According to The New Vision of July 17 2007, compensation claims by victims of Roman Catholic homosexual priests dating back to the 1940's rendered some dioceses financially bankrupt.
Years to come, the current Pope's legacy might be one of a repentant religious leader since he is on record of having recently apologised to the Muslim community when he quoted from a western scholar who denigrated Prophet Mohammed.
The greatest lesson for the world from the Pope's apology is that homosexuality in the Roman Catholic Church, as is the case perhaps in other churches and institutions, seems to have started with a few paedophiles in very powerful and influential positions, be it religious, educational, civil or public.
The vulnerable groups like the youth, school children, orphans, young prisoners and other groups have provided a fertile ground for introducing, propagating and establishing homosexuality as an acceptable life-style.
The current outcry against homosexuality in Uganda's secondary schools is mainly a result of sexual bullying by male 'adults' in higher classes, many of who were introduced to the practice by 'senior citizens,' now enjoying privileged positions in society and some even married.
[allAfrica.com] 5 Aug 2008--The Pope's visit to Australia has been eclipsed by a public outcry from victims of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests, according to an article published in Reuters of July 19. The victims seem to point to the major avenue of homosexual practice and how it was propagated the world over.
The Pope's public apology on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church to victims of sexual abuse in Australia comes hot on the heels of another similar apology made in the US. According to The New Vision of July 17 2007, compensation claims by victims of Roman Catholic homosexual priests dating back to the 1940's rendered some dioceses financially bankrupt.
Years to come, the current Pope's legacy might be one of a repentant religious leader since he is on record of having recently apologised to the Muslim community when he quoted from a western scholar who denigrated Prophet Mohammed.
The greatest lesson for the world from the Pope's apology is that homosexuality in the Roman Catholic Church, as is the case perhaps in other churches and institutions, seems to have started with a few paedophiles in very powerful and influential positions, be it religious, educational, civil or public.
The vulnerable groups like the youth, school children, orphans, young prisoners and other groups have provided a fertile ground for introducing, propagating and establishing homosexuality as an acceptable life-style.
The current outcry against homosexuality in Uganda's secondary schools is mainly a result of sexual bullying by male 'adults' in higher classes, many of who were introduced to the practice by 'senior citizens,' now enjoying privileged positions in society and some even married.
Archbishop Orombi clarifies The Times letter
http://www.anglicantv.org/blog/index.cfm/2008/8/4/Archbishop-Orombi-clarifies-The-Times-letter
[Anglican TV] 5 Aug 2008--After The Times newspaper printed a letter from Archbishop Orombi, AnglicanTV contacted His Grace for further clarification. Specifically we wanted to know if the Archbishop was implying he wanted Rowan to resign. Below is Archbishop Orombi's response.
Kevin Kallsen (AnglicanTV) "Does your letter in The Times this week imply that you are calling for the resignation of the ABC?"
Archbishop Henry Orombi: "No. I am not suggesting that the Archbishop of Canterbury should resign. And, for the record, it was The Times (of London) that approached me about writing an essay on why the Church of Uganda Bishops were not attending Lambeth.
"It seems to me that the maturing of the global nature of the Anglican Communion, beyond its colonial beginnings, would involve separating the role of the spiritual leader of the Communion from that of the Primate of All England. The Primate of All England should still retain the title primus inter pares, for he does retain a significant place of honour and historical significance. I would not want to diminish that in any way. We are very grateful for the British missionaries who came to us in Uganda and brought to us the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We shall never forget that and never cease giving thanks.
"However, I do think it's time to realise that the Anglican Communion is no longer an extension of the Church of England. The Church of England is, of course, free to elect or appoint their Primate in whatever way they deem appropriate. But, should the Primate of All England necessarily or automatically be the spiritual leader of a world-wide, global Communion? That's the question I am asking.
Related article:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08080105.html
Chaos at Canterbury: Rowan Williams Said to Have "Betrayed" Church - LifeSite News
[Anglican TV] 5 Aug 2008--After The Times newspaper printed a letter from Archbishop Orombi, AnglicanTV contacted His Grace for further clarification. Specifically we wanted to know if the Archbishop was implying he wanted Rowan to resign. Below is Archbishop Orombi's response.
Kevin Kallsen (AnglicanTV) "Does your letter in The Times this week imply that you are calling for the resignation of the ABC?"
Archbishop Henry Orombi: "No. I am not suggesting that the Archbishop of Canterbury should resign. And, for the record, it was The Times (of London) that approached me about writing an essay on why the Church of Uganda Bishops were not attending Lambeth.
"It seems to me that the maturing of the global nature of the Anglican Communion, beyond its colonial beginnings, would involve separating the role of the spiritual leader of the Communion from that of the Primate of All England. The Primate of All England should still retain the title primus inter pares, for he does retain a significant place of honour and historical significance. I would not want to diminish that in any way. We are very grateful for the British missionaries who came to us in Uganda and brought to us the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We shall never forget that and never cease giving thanks.
"However, I do think it's time to realise that the Anglican Communion is no longer an extension of the Church of England. The Church of England is, of course, free to elect or appoint their Primate in whatever way they deem appropriate. But, should the Primate of All England necessarily or automatically be the spiritual leader of a world-wide, global Communion? That's the question I am asking.
Related article:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/aug/08080105.html
Chaos at Canterbury: Rowan Williams Said to Have "Betrayed" Church - LifeSite News
GAFCON post-Lambeth Press Release
http://www.gafcon.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=87&Itemid=12
[GAFCON] 5 Aug 2008--The Primates' Council of GAFCON will wish to study the outcome of the Lambeth Conference carefully and consult with those they are leading. They are meeting towards the end of August and will make their response following that meeting.
[GAFCON] 5 Aug 2008--The Primates' Council of GAFCON will wish to study the outcome of the Lambeth Conference carefully and consult with those they are leading. They are meeting towards the end of August and will make their response following that meeting.
Saddle Up, Boys… We’ve Got a Long Way to Go
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/15188/
[Stand Firm] 5 Aug 2008--I want to dispel two memes beginning to be manufactured about the Lambeth conference, one by Lambeth organizers, the other by TEC revisionists.The first is that the Lambeth conference was a success. The second is that it held any kind of line, or was a setback for the Episcopal Church.
Before the Lambeth Conference even ended, there began the efforts to cast it as a success because, after all, "the communion didn't split," and "no one walked out," and no decisions that were made caused further division among the opposing factions.
Ruth Gledhill mentioned that a poll of bishops in attendance revealed widespread support for Rowan Williams, noting that among those attending, three-quarters of them approved of his leadership during the conference.
No doubt this will be part of the spin coming from TEC bishops in the days and weeks to come, as they return to their dioceses and report on their experiences at the conference, but let's take a moment to remind ourselves why this is nonsense.
[Stand Firm] 5 Aug 2008--I want to dispel two memes beginning to be manufactured about the Lambeth conference, one by Lambeth organizers, the other by TEC revisionists.The first is that the Lambeth conference was a success. The second is that it held any kind of line, or was a setback for the Episcopal Church.
Before the Lambeth Conference even ended, there began the efforts to cast it as a success because, after all, "the communion didn't split," and "no one walked out," and no decisions that were made caused further division among the opposing factions.
Ruth Gledhill mentioned that a poll of bishops in attendance revealed widespread support for Rowan Williams, noting that among those attending, three-quarters of them approved of his leadership during the conference.
No doubt this will be part of the spin coming from TEC bishops in the days and weeks to come, as they return to their dioceses and report on their experiences at the conference, but let's take a moment to remind ourselves why this is nonsense.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Lambeth conference fails to resolve gay clergy debate
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/04/2323106.htm
[ABC News] 4 Aug 2008--The 650 bishops meeting in Canterbury, England all follow the same faith, but getting them to agree on some religious principles has proved impossible and it is threatening to tear the Anglican Church apart.
[ABC News] 4 Aug 2008--The 650 bishops meeting in Canterbury, England all follow the same faith, but getting them to agree on some religious principles has proved impossible and it is threatening to tear the Anglican Church apart.
The bishops from all over the world have been attending the Lambeth conference but after nearly three weeks of talks, they have failed to resolve the crisis over same sex unions and homosexuality.
More than 200 conservative bishops boycotted the conference and each day, the bishops at the conference have prayed for them.
Two-hundred and fifty bishops, including the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen, and six other Sydney bishops, stayed away to protest over same sex unions and the consecration of a gay bishop in the United States, Bishop Gene Robinson.
He was not invited to the conference, but turned up anyway.
Was it supposed to?! It certainly was not set up to.
The death of liberal Anglicanism
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/04/anglicanism.religion1
[Guardian] 4 Aug 2008--Maybe liberal Anglicans are waking up to the fact that liberalism and institutional Christianity are not gently compatible, as they were told by lots of well-meaning Anglican thinkers. That tradition is admirable, but it is dead. Williams is a deeply admirable man, but he has no vision for Christianity's renewal in the context of liberal culture. He is offering a slightly nicer version of Roman Catholicism – an international communion whose unity trumps all other concerns.
[Guardian] 4 Aug 2008--Maybe liberal Anglicans are waking up to the fact that liberalism and institutional Christianity are not gently compatible, as they were told by lots of well-meaning Anglican thinkers. That tradition is admirable, but it is dead. Williams is a deeply admirable man, but he has no vision for Christianity's renewal in the context of liberal culture. He is offering a slightly nicer version of Roman Catholicism – an international communion whose unity trumps all other concerns.
So a fairly stark choice has emerged: stay within Anglicanism, and be part of its post-liberal realignment. Or seek a new sort of Christian culture, accepting of liberalism, free of the old power-itch. Leave the ruins of Christendom behind, and build afresh, on new foundations.
Kiwi bishop labels Anglican conference 'exercise in futility'
http://3news.co.nz/News/InternationalNews/KiwibishoplabelsAnglicanconferenceexerciseinfutility/tabid/417/articleID/65553/cat/61/Default.aspx
[3news.co.nz] 4 Aug 2008--A New Zealand bishop at the Anglican Church's Lambeth Conference has denounced it as an "exercise in futility".
[3news.co.nz] 4 Aug 2008--A New Zealand bishop at the Anglican Church's Lambeth Conference has denounced it as an "exercise in futility".
The conference which is held only once every 10 years ended with both sides in the battle over homosexuality refusing to compromise.
The Rt Reverend Richard Ellena, Bishop of Nelson, branded the 20-day meeting, which cost $NZ13.7 million to stage and which is facing a $5.4m shortfall, as a waste of time and money, The Telegraph website reported.
Sunday: A Big Surprise
http://babybluecafe.blogspot.com/2008/08/sunday-big-surprise.html
[BabyBlueOnline] 4 Aug 2008--I'm writing at what has turned into my usual table (it's the table with the glass of Diet Coke in the "short reflections" video) and waiting to order lunch. When I went to get on the elevator I met an African bishop and I asked him where he was from. He told me he was from the Sudan.
He was polite, but reserved, quite reserved. He asked me where I was from. I said I was in CANA and I lived in Virginia. He looked at my quizzically. I said, the Convocation of North Americans, set up by the Church of Nigeria. "I am an Anglican in Virginia," I said.
"You are Nigeria?" he said. I said, yes, CANA is in the Church of Nigeria - I am an American in CANA. We have separated from the Episcopal Church.
Suddenly, he stopped. "You are one that has broken away?" he asked me. I told him yes. His face lit up. "You are standing for the Gospel," he exclaimed, and he brightened and his eyes grew round above his great smile. And we talked about the Lord. He got very excited and told me how the majority of the Americans he's met at Lambeth do not understand. You could see it weighed on him. He gave me a blessing. I thought I was going to start crying right there in the lobby. I was the one honored to meet him. I couldn't even speak. I've done nothing, he's done everything - but he would hear nothing of it.
[BabyBlueOnline] 4 Aug 2008--I'm writing at what has turned into my usual table (it's the table with the glass of Diet Coke in the "short reflections" video) and waiting to order lunch. When I went to get on the elevator I met an African bishop and I asked him where he was from. He told me he was from the Sudan.
He was polite, but reserved, quite reserved. He asked me where I was from. I said I was in CANA and I lived in Virginia. He looked at my quizzically. I said, the Convocation of North Americans, set up by the Church of Nigeria. "I am an Anglican in Virginia," I said.
"You are Nigeria?" he said. I said, yes, CANA is in the Church of Nigeria - I am an American in CANA. We have separated from the Episcopal Church.
Suddenly, he stopped. "You are one that has broken away?" he asked me. I told him yes. His face lit up. "You are standing for the Gospel," he exclaimed, and he brightened and his eyes grew round above his great smile. And we talked about the Lord. He got very excited and told me how the majority of the Americans he's met at Lambeth do not understand. You could see it weighed on him. He gave me a blessing. I thought I was going to start crying right there in the lobby. I was the one honored to meet him. I couldn't even speak. I've done nothing, he's done everything - but he would hear nothing of it.
Vacuum
http://hillsofthenorth.blogspot.com/2008/08/vacuum.html
[Hills of the North] 4 Aug 2008--Nature abhors a vacuum, and it's pretty clear that when Lambeth is behind us, and the vacuum created by the Archbishop's weakness is not filled as it should be, all manner of forces will seek to fill that vacuum.
The plan to do just this is already in place on the American side. While Episcopal Church bishops have dishonestly tried again to deny that same-sex blessings are happening with authorization, all they have done is underscore their mendacity. But even these dissembling bishops have not tried to deny that what lies ahead in the Episcopal Church after Lambeth is a full-bore push to make same-sex blessings--if not marriages--officially sanctioned as a good and holy thing. Some institutional liberal bishops will understand the dangers this poses, but they now have no power or authority, as the inmates are plainly running the asylum. And the revisionists do not have to worry about the next Lambeth invitation just yet, and the hard leftists among them frankly are already wondering whether the Anglican Communion is worth the bother. In short, once Lambeth ends, there are no governors remaining on their behavior.
[Hills of the North] 4 Aug 2008--Nature abhors a vacuum, and it's pretty clear that when Lambeth is behind us, and the vacuum created by the Archbishop's weakness is not filled as it should be, all manner of forces will seek to fill that vacuum.
The plan to do just this is already in place on the American side. While Episcopal Church bishops have dishonestly tried again to deny that same-sex blessings are happening with authorization, all they have done is underscore their mendacity. But even these dissembling bishops have not tried to deny that what lies ahead in the Episcopal Church after Lambeth is a full-bore push to make same-sex blessings--if not marriages--officially sanctioned as a good and holy thing. Some institutional liberal bishops will understand the dangers this poses, but they now have no power or authority, as the inmates are plainly running the asylum. And the revisionists do not have to worry about the next Lambeth invitation just yet, and the hard leftists among them frankly are already wondering whether the Anglican Communion is worth the bother. In short, once Lambeth ends, there are no governors remaining on their behavior.
Six Unanswered Questions
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/15134/
[Stand Firm] 4 Aug 2008-- The Communion, I think, hangs on the answer to these:
1. How many bishops agree or disagree with any affirmation or opinion expressed in the Reflections document
2. What criteria the Reflections drafting group used to determine which opinions were included in the Reflections document
3. The authority the Reflections document carries in relation to past Lambeth resolutions and statements
4. Whether the moratorium on “rites” for same-sex blessings implies the cessation of same sex blessings themselves or simply the official creation and production of “rites” for them.
5. Whether we have entered a de-facto period of Reception for same sex blessings.
6. The authority of the Lambeth Conference as an Instrument of Communion.
[Stand Firm] 4 Aug 2008-- The Communion, I think, hangs on the answer to these:
1. How many bishops agree or disagree with any affirmation or opinion expressed in the Reflections document
2. What criteria the Reflections drafting group used to determine which opinions were included in the Reflections document
3. The authority the Reflections document carries in relation to past Lambeth resolutions and statements
4. Whether the moratorium on “rites” for same-sex blessings implies the cessation of same sex blessings themselves or simply the official creation and production of “rites” for them.
5. Whether we have entered a de-facto period of Reception for same sex blessings.
6. The authority of the Lambeth Conference as an Instrument of Communion.
Lambeth conference: Archbishop blames liberals for church rift
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/04/anglicanism.religion
[Guardian] 4 Aug 2008--The Archbishop of Canterbury blamed liberal North American churches yesterday for causing turmoil in the Anglican communion by blessing same-sex unions and consecrating gay clergy as he attempted to chart a way out of the crisis that has been engulfing the church.
On the final day of the Lambeth conference, a 10-yearly gathering of the world's Anglican bishops, Rowan Williams said practices in certain US and Canadian dioceses were threatening the unity of the Anglican communion.
[Guardian] 4 Aug 2008--The Archbishop of Canterbury blamed liberal North American churches yesterday for causing turmoil in the Anglican communion by blessing same-sex unions and consecrating gay clergy as he attempted to chart a way out of the crisis that has been engulfing the church.
On the final day of the Lambeth conference, a 10-yearly gathering of the world's Anglican bishops, Rowan Williams said practices in certain US and Canadian dioceses were threatening the unity of the Anglican communion.
Bishop Lawrence: GAFCON is Heir Apparent
http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2008/8/3/gafcon-i
[The Living Church] 4 Aug 2008--The Global Anglican Fellowship Conference (GAFCON) is the heir apparent to assume leadership of the Anglican Communion, said three bishops during an informal media briefing this afternoon at the Lambeth Conference.
Bishops Mark Lawrence of South Carolina and Keith Ackerman of Quincy were joined by Bishop Hector Zavala of Chile from the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone on the campus of the University of Kent, Canterbury, shortly before Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was scheduled to deliver his final presidential address of the conference.
Bishop Lawrence criticized the existing Instruments of Communion of being too slow to adapt. “I witnessed a new birth last month [at GAFCON],” Bishop Lawrence said. “The Global South has come to its place of maturity. I don’t know how the two structures will work together in the future. Those who adapt the quickest will be the ones who win the day.”
Bishop Zavala challenged Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to state clearly to the rest of the Communion the intentions of The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops.
“I don’t want to put words in her mouth,” he said. Bishop Zavala said the current crisis is rooted in The Episcopal Church’s decision to disregard Resolution 1.10 from the 1998 Lambeth Conference and consecrate a partnered homosexual person as Bishop Coadjutor of New Hampshire.
“If there is no moratorium then the Communion will split,’ he said.
[The Living Church] 4 Aug 2008--The Global Anglican Fellowship Conference (GAFCON) is the heir apparent to assume leadership of the Anglican Communion, said three bishops during an informal media briefing this afternoon at the Lambeth Conference.
Bishops Mark Lawrence of South Carolina and Keith Ackerman of Quincy were joined by Bishop Hector Zavala of Chile from the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone on the campus of the University of Kent, Canterbury, shortly before Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was scheduled to deliver his final presidential address of the conference.
Bishop Lawrence criticized the existing Instruments of Communion of being too slow to adapt. “I witnessed a new birth last month [at GAFCON],” Bishop Lawrence said. “The Global South has come to its place of maturity. I don’t know how the two structures will work together in the future. Those who adapt the quickest will be the ones who win the day.”
Bishop Zavala challenged Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori to state clearly to the rest of the Communion the intentions of The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops.
“I don’t want to put words in her mouth,” he said. Bishop Zavala said the current crisis is rooted in The Episcopal Church’s decision to disregard Resolution 1.10 from the 1998 Lambeth Conference and consecrate a partnered homosexual person as Bishop Coadjutor of New Hampshire.
“If there is no moratorium then the Communion will split,’ he said.
What the Lambeth Conference Accomplished
http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2008/8/3/what-the-lambeth-conference-accomplished
[The Living Church] 4 Aug 2008--The Lambeth Conference accomplished some very important work, but in the closing press conference on Aug. 3, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said if the North American churches do not accept the need for a moratorium on same-sex blessings and the consecration of additional partnered gay bishops, then the Anglican Communion is no further forward.
On the other hand, the idea of moratorium was apparently not taken seriously by many bishops from The Episcopal Church. Bishops Jon Bruno of Los Angeles and Marc Andrus of California already have said they would not attempt to stop the blessing of gay relationships in their dioceses, and in the Diocese of Massachusetts on Aug. 2, two priests participated in civil same-sex marriages for two couples inside Episcopal churches.
[The Living Church] 4 Aug 2008--The Lambeth Conference accomplished some very important work, but in the closing press conference on Aug. 3, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said if the North American churches do not accept the need for a moratorium on same-sex blessings and the consecration of additional partnered gay bishops, then the Anglican Communion is no further forward.
On the other hand, the idea of moratorium was apparently not taken seriously by many bishops from The Episcopal Church. Bishops Jon Bruno of Los Angeles and Marc Andrus of California already have said they would not attempt to stop the blessing of gay relationships in their dioceses, and in the Diocese of Massachusetts on Aug. 2, two priests participated in civil same-sex marriages for two couples inside Episcopal churches.
Ireland: Archbishop criticised over stance on gays
http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2008/08/03/ireland-archbishop-criticised-over-stance-on-gays/
[Anglican Mainstream] 4 Aug 2008--A group representing between 70 and 100 Church of Ireland clergy and lay preachers has publicly attacked Archbishop Alan Harper for "inflaming divisions" surrounding homosexuality.
In a letter to the News Letter, the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy (EFIC) called on the archbishop to reconsider his position on the issue after he said that the Church may need to give a "new status for homosexual relationships" if science proves people are born gay.
The strongly-worded public criticism — which rarely emanates from so many ordained members of the Church — comes as the Irish bishops are in London with more than 600 Anglican bishops for the once-a-decade Lambeth conference.
Related article:
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Harper-replies-on-gay-issue.4353164.jp
Harper replies on gay issue - News Letter
[Anglican Mainstream] 4 Aug 2008--A group representing between 70 and 100 Church of Ireland clergy and lay preachers has publicly attacked Archbishop Alan Harper for "inflaming divisions" surrounding homosexuality.
In a letter to the News Letter, the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy (EFIC) called on the archbishop to reconsider his position on the issue after he said that the Church may need to give a "new status for homosexual relationships" if science proves people are born gay.
The strongly-worded public criticism — which rarely emanates from so many ordained members of the Church — comes as the Irish bishops are in London with more than 600 Anglican bishops for the once-a-decade Lambeth conference.
Related article:
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Harper-replies-on-gay-issue.4353164.jp
Harper replies on gay issue - News Letter
Canterbury VIII The Rev. Todd H. Wetzel
http://www.anglicansunited.com/2008/08/canterbury_viii_the_rev_todd_h.html
[Anglicans United] 4 Aug 2008--From the beginning, numerous voices here at Canterbury have been saying that this was the Archbishop’s show – start to finish – his to win or his to lose.
He’s functioned admirably as teacher and retreat leader. His lectures were excellent. He succeeded in keeping everyone here talking. Meanwhile Canterbury has added the weight of history. This is the mother church of the Communion.
The Communion gathered here at Canterbury is broken.
[Anglicans United] 4 Aug 2008--From the beginning, numerous voices here at Canterbury have been saying that this was the Archbishop’s show – start to finish – his to win or his to lose.
He’s functioned admirably as teacher and retreat leader. His lectures were excellent. He succeeded in keeping everyone here talking. Meanwhile Canterbury has added the weight of history. This is the mother church of the Communion.
The Communion gathered here at Canterbury is broken.
Statement from Global South Primates at Lambeth
http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2008/08/03/statement-from-global-south-primates-at-lambeth/
[Anglican Mainstream] 4 Aug 2008--We deeply regret that during the Conference proceedings substantial theological voices outside of the Western world have not been present in the evening plenary sessions of the Lambeth Conference. We are concerned with the continuing patronising attitude of the West towards the rest of the churches worldwide. We regret attempts to cause divisions and break the bonds between churches in the Global South, and are distressed that the realities in our churches are often misrepresented and misunderstood in the West.
[Anglican Mainstream] 4 Aug 2008--We deeply regret that during the Conference proceedings substantial theological voices outside of the Western world have not been present in the evening plenary sessions of the Lambeth Conference. We are concerned with the continuing patronising attitude of the West towards the rest of the churches worldwide. We regret attempts to cause divisions and break the bonds between churches in the Global South, and are distressed that the realities in our churches are often misrepresented and misunderstood in the West.
Uganda: William 'Betrayed' Anglicans On Homosexuality
http://allafrica.com/stories/200808040496.html
[allAfrica.com] 4 Aug 2008--The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan William is ultimately responsible for the split in the Anglican Communion because he betrayed the clear biblical and church teaching on homosexuality, the Archbishop Uganda said.
He should have disciplined the bishops of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) when they tolerated the ordination of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, to the episcopate, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said.
[allAfrica.com] 4 Aug 2008--The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan William is ultimately responsible for the split in the Anglican Communion because he betrayed the clear biblical and church teaching on homosexuality, the Archbishop Uganda said.
He should have disciplined the bishops of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) when they tolerated the ordination of Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, to the episcopate, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said.
GAFCON, the future and the Jerusalem Statement
http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/2008/08/03/gafcon-the-future-and-the-jerusalem-statement/
[Anglican Mainstream] 4 Aug 2008--The Global Anglican Future CONference held in Jerusalem at the end of June 2008 occurred not to stop a split in the Anglican Communion but because there already exists such a split. That is a sad but hard fact. The presenting problem is homosexual relationships, with things coming to a head in 2003 in the United States with the consecration as bishop of New Hampshire of a partnered homosexual, Gene Robinson. Since the 1970s and the “Gay Liberation” movement the Western Churches have tried to pretend the “gay agenda” is not a problem. The leadership has wanted this to be considered a secondary issue over which there is liberty to disagree. The majority of Christians, however, think otherwise. Votes in the Church of England’s General Synod in 1987 and the Lambeth Conference in 1998 made this crystal clear. A significant number of bishops, however, ignored these resolutions.
In 2002 Rowan Williams was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. Rowan Williams had publicly admitted to ordaining a man he knew had a homosexual partner and acknowledged “that ‘conforming your life … to Christ’ doesn’t necessarily mean giving up a homosexual lifestyle.” Before his appointment was official, therefore, some of us, incumbents of larger Anglican churches, felt obliged to write to the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, registering our opposition. We said:
“such actions and views [as those above] fly in the face of the clear teaching of the Holy Scriptures and the resolutions of the Lambeth Conference 1998. Rowan Williams would not have the confidence of the vast majority of Anglicans in the world, who are now in the third world and who, as loyal Anglicans, take the Holy Scriptures as their supreme authority. His appointment would lead to a major split in the Anglican Communion (including the Church of England).”
Sadly we have been proved correct.
[Anglican Mainstream] 4 Aug 2008--The Global Anglican Future CONference held in Jerusalem at the end of June 2008 occurred not to stop a split in the Anglican Communion but because there already exists such a split. That is a sad but hard fact. The presenting problem is homosexual relationships, with things coming to a head in 2003 in the United States with the consecration as bishop of New Hampshire of a partnered homosexual, Gene Robinson. Since the 1970s and the “Gay Liberation” movement the Western Churches have tried to pretend the “gay agenda” is not a problem. The leadership has wanted this to be considered a secondary issue over which there is liberty to disagree. The majority of Christians, however, think otherwise. Votes in the Church of England’s General Synod in 1987 and the Lambeth Conference in 1998 made this crystal clear. A significant number of bishops, however, ignored these resolutions.
In 2002 Rowan Williams was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. Rowan Williams had publicly admitted to ordaining a man he knew had a homosexual partner and acknowledged “that ‘conforming your life … to Christ’ doesn’t necessarily mean giving up a homosexual lifestyle.” Before his appointment was official, therefore, some of us, incumbents of larger Anglican churches, felt obliged to write to the then Prime Minister, Tony Blair, registering our opposition. We said:
“such actions and views [as those above] fly in the face of the clear teaching of the Holy Scriptures and the resolutions of the Lambeth Conference 1998. Rowan Williams would not have the confidence of the vast majority of Anglicans in the world, who are now in the third world and who, as loyal Anglicans, take the Holy Scriptures as their supreme authority. His appointment would lead to a major split in the Anglican Communion (including the Church of England).”
Sadly we have been proved correct.
The word of God, loud and clear
http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/mission/missionthinking/the_word_of_god_loud_and_clear/
[sydneyanglicans.net] 4 Aug 2008--When was the last time you stopped and considered how remarkable and significant is the public reading of Scripture? As evangelicals, we believe that when the Bible is read aloud the audience hears the very word of God. The listeners are given access by the Spirit of God to the mind of Christ.
This is a belief that we do not share with many other Christians. In some churches, the truth of God is believed to be revealed through reasoning and intellect, leading to phrases like, “It seems logical to me that God would want us to act this way...” In other traditions, access to God comes via the emotions, for example, “I feel that God is saying to me that he wants me to act in this way...”
At their core, both of these approaches are in sharp conflict with the heart of evangelicalism, which maintains that God speaks through his word, the gospel (in Greek, the evangel).
All of this makes the public reading of Scripture crucial to our evangelical Christian life. If we are to be true to our evangelical heritage then we, of all people, should savour and delight in the public reading of the word of God, and should receive it with anticipation and expectation.
Yet, sadly, it seems that our Bible readings are often undervalued. What should form the core of our gatherings is often overlooked and under-appreciated.
[sydneyanglicans.net] 4 Aug 2008--When was the last time you stopped and considered how remarkable and significant is the public reading of Scripture? As evangelicals, we believe that when the Bible is read aloud the audience hears the very word of God. The listeners are given access by the Spirit of God to the mind of Christ.
This is a belief that we do not share with many other Christians. In some churches, the truth of God is believed to be revealed through reasoning and intellect, leading to phrases like, “It seems logical to me that God would want us to act this way...” In other traditions, access to God comes via the emotions, for example, “I feel that God is saying to me that he wants me to act in this way...”
At their core, both of these approaches are in sharp conflict with the heart of evangelicalism, which maintains that God speaks through his word, the gospel (in Greek, the evangel).
All of this makes the public reading of Scripture crucial to our evangelical Christian life. If we are to be true to our evangelical heritage then we, of all people, should savour and delight in the public reading of the word of God, and should receive it with anticipation and expectation.
Yet, sadly, it seems that our Bible readings are often undervalued. What should form the core of our gatherings is often overlooked and under-appreciated.
Bishops ask Archbishop of Canterbury for an 'orderly separation’
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2490833/Bishops-ask--Archbishop-of-Canterbury-for-an-orderly-separation.html
[Telegraph] 4 Aug 2008--Senior church of England bishops have challenged the Archbishop of Canterbury to declare a split in the Anglican Communion for the sake of orthodox Christianity.
They said that the Archbishop, Dr Rowan Williams, would fail to avert a schism because liberals were determined to press ahead with their pro-gay agenda.
Instead, they called on Dr Williams to acknowledge that there were now two distinct Churches and negotiate an “orderly separation” to preserve a traditional identity for Anglicanism.
Liberals warned that such an action could lead to civil war in the Church.
The comments from the bishops of Winchester and Exeter, came as bishops at the Lambeth Conference released their final briefing paper on plans to solve the crisis over homosexuality.
Among the key proposals, they suggest a new framework that could censure rebellious Churches and a central “pastoral forum” to settle disputes.
However, the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, the Bishop of Winchester, said that the Archbishop’s plan to maintain unity lacked a sense of urgency and was unlikely to work.
[Telegraph] 4 Aug 2008--Senior church of England bishops have challenged the Archbishop of Canterbury to declare a split in the Anglican Communion for the sake of orthodox Christianity.
They said that the Archbishop, Dr Rowan Williams, would fail to avert a schism because liberals were determined to press ahead with their pro-gay agenda.
Instead, they called on Dr Williams to acknowledge that there were now two distinct Churches and negotiate an “orderly separation” to preserve a traditional identity for Anglicanism.
Liberals warned that such an action could lead to civil war in the Church.
The comments from the bishops of Winchester and Exeter, came as bishops at the Lambeth Conference released their final briefing paper on plans to solve the crisis over homosexuality.
Among the key proposals, they suggest a new framework that could censure rebellious Churches and a central “pastoral forum” to settle disputes.
However, the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, the Bishop of Winchester, said that the Archbishop’s plan to maintain unity lacked a sense of urgency and was unlikely to work.
Rowan Williams 'has failed,' says Uganda
http://www.religiousintelligence.com/news/?NewsID=2413
[Religious Intelligence] 4 Aug 2008--While a blow up is not expected on the final day of the July 16 to Aug 3 gathering of bishops in Canterbury, the prospects for a united Anglican Communion appear less likely now than at the start of the conference. “This has so far been a wasted opportunity,” one senior Church of England bishop told ReligiousIntelligence.com, while the Church of Ireland’s Bishop Harold Miller of Down and Dromore said, “our situation is that we either face the storm here, addressing the difficulties in the next two days or find the storm ahead when we have returned home. I don't think the difficulties will go away.”
The majority of bishops questioned by ReligiousIntelligence.com have lauded Dr Williams’ personal integrity and have awarded him high marks for his retreat lectures. However they have questioned the wisdom of his decision to focus on “process” rather than “substance” at the 14th Lambeth Conference.
“I hoped we would be able to talk about the very serious things” at Lambeth, Bishop Gregory Venables of Argentina said. “We tried to but were unable to.”
[Religious Intelligence] 4 Aug 2008--While a blow up is not expected on the final day of the July 16 to Aug 3 gathering of bishops in Canterbury, the prospects for a united Anglican Communion appear less likely now than at the start of the conference. “This has so far been a wasted opportunity,” one senior Church of England bishop told ReligiousIntelligence.com, while the Church of Ireland’s Bishop Harold Miller of Down and Dromore said, “our situation is that we either face the storm here, addressing the difficulties in the next two days or find the storm ahead when we have returned home. I don't think the difficulties will go away.”
The majority of bishops questioned by ReligiousIntelligence.com have lauded Dr Williams’ personal integrity and have awarded him high marks for his retreat lectures. However they have questioned the wisdom of his decision to focus on “process” rather than “substance” at the 14th Lambeth Conference.
“I hoped we would be able to talk about the very serious things” at Lambeth, Bishop Gregory Venables of Argentina said. “We tried to but were unable to.”
Lambeth told of church 'ridicule'
http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/sydneystories/lambeth_told_of_church_ridicule/
[sydneyanglicans.net] 4 Aug 2008--The Lambeth Conference has been told of the negative effects of the consecration of a practising homosexual bishop and the open blessing of same-sex relationships, including the Anglican church being ridiculed as “the gay church”.
The final document emerging from the Lambeth discussion groups says as a result, partnership in mission has been lost and damaged, and some provinces have experienced a “betrayal of the teaching of the missionaries who brought the faith, and it is experienced as a new form of Colonisation”.
Some groups reported what were described as “positive effects”, but the fourth draft of the final document lists 10 negatives, including the loss of membership because of ridicule.
In what appears to be a contradictory section of the document, some call for decisive action – others for more ‘listening’.
Related document:
http://www.lambethconference.org/reflections/document.cfm
Lambeth Indaba Reflections - The Lambeth Conference
Related articles:
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/15034/
Reflection on Sexuality: Send it Back - Stand Firm
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/15156/
A Swipe At The Primates - Stand Firm
[sydneyanglicans.net] 4 Aug 2008--The Lambeth Conference has been told of the negative effects of the consecration of a practising homosexual bishop and the open blessing of same-sex relationships, including the Anglican church being ridiculed as “the gay church”.
The final document emerging from the Lambeth discussion groups says as a result, partnership in mission has been lost and damaged, and some provinces have experienced a “betrayal of the teaching of the missionaries who brought the faith, and it is experienced as a new form of Colonisation”.
Some groups reported what were described as “positive effects”, but the fourth draft of the final document lists 10 negatives, including the loss of membership because of ridicule.
In what appears to be a contradictory section of the document, some call for decisive action – others for more ‘listening’.
Related document:
http://www.lambethconference.org/reflections/document.cfm
Lambeth Indaba Reflections - The Lambeth Conference
Related articles:
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/15034/
Reflection on Sexuality: Send it Back - Stand Firm
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/15156/
A Swipe At The Primates - Stand Firm
Primate of the Middle East Mouneer Anis ‘Comments at Today’s Press Conference
http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/comments/primate_of_the_middle_east_mouneer_anis_comments_at_todays_press_conference/
[Global South Anglican] 4 Aug 2008--While some very positive things are happening at the conference, the unresolved issues are still dividing the Communion. I can only wonder if during the coming two days we will truly be able to do something about these unresolved issues. I have some doubts but I would have loved to go back to my people with good news of progress towards truly resolving our crisis and that we still all continue to uphold the mind of the Church as exprsesed in the Lambeth ’98 Resolution 1;10 which reaffirmed the historic teaching of the Church .
From my experience of the Bible studies and of the Indaba discussions I see a great wall being put up by revisionists against those orthodox who believe in the authority of Scripture. The revisionists among us push upon us the view that current secular culture and not the Bible should shape our mission and morals. In this we are not divided by mere trivialities, or issues on the periphery of faith but on essentials. I am shocked to say that we are finding it very hard to come together on even the essentials of the faith we once received from the Apostles.
Everywhere we go here, we meet gay & lesbian activists, receive their news letters or read about their many events. Many seem to be supported by North American churches. They are intent to push their agenda on us. No other lobbying groups seem to enjoy similar access, or to be able to have their literature prominently displayed all over the campus and at the entrance to every residence. They are determined that their way is the only right way and that everyone else should follow. They are not at all open to listening to us or the historic church teaching. Yet, is surprising that they push all these sexuality issues so intensively into the conference and then blame us for talking about them too much! In the attitude of some from the North American churches I am reminded of the arrogance of the American administration that made a mess in Iraq because it refused to listen to millions of voices from the wider world.
Through the advocacy of unscriptural practices, I would say they are inviting the church into a new form of slavery: a slavery to modern secular culture and to immoral desires and lusts. Simply because people feel desires to do certain things, or, to live in certain ways, has never before, of itself, meant that the Church should bless them in doing so.
[Global South Anglican] 4 Aug 2008--While some very positive things are happening at the conference, the unresolved issues are still dividing the Communion. I can only wonder if during the coming two days we will truly be able to do something about these unresolved issues. I have some doubts but I would have loved to go back to my people with good news of progress towards truly resolving our crisis and that we still all continue to uphold the mind of the Church as exprsesed in the Lambeth ’98 Resolution 1;10 which reaffirmed the historic teaching of the Church .
From my experience of the Bible studies and of the Indaba discussions I see a great wall being put up by revisionists against those orthodox who believe in the authority of Scripture. The revisionists among us push upon us the view that current secular culture and not the Bible should shape our mission and morals. In this we are not divided by mere trivialities, or issues on the periphery of faith but on essentials. I am shocked to say that we are finding it very hard to come together on even the essentials of the faith we once received from the Apostles.
Everywhere we go here, we meet gay & lesbian activists, receive their news letters or read about their many events. Many seem to be supported by North American churches. They are intent to push their agenda on us. No other lobbying groups seem to enjoy similar access, or to be able to have their literature prominently displayed all over the campus and at the entrance to every residence. They are determined that their way is the only right way and that everyone else should follow. They are not at all open to listening to us or the historic church teaching. Yet, is surprising that they push all these sexuality issues so intensively into the conference and then blame us for talking about them too much! In the attitude of some from the North American churches I am reminded of the arrogance of the American administration that made a mess in Iraq because it refused to listen to millions of voices from the wider world.
Through the advocacy of unscriptural practices, I would say they are inviting the church into a new form of slavery: a slavery to modern secular culture and to immoral desires and lusts. Simply because people feel desires to do certain things, or, to live in certain ways, has never before, of itself, meant that the Church should bless them in doing so.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Anglicans Wrestle with How They View the Bible
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080731/anglicans-wrestle-with-how-they-view-the-bible.htm
[The Christian Post] 1 Aug 2008--Before entering talks on human sexuality on Thursday, Anglican leaders took a deep look at the issue underlying the ongoing and highly publicized gay debate – the Bible.
"The issue of homosexuality comes down to an issue about the Bible," said the Most Rev. David Moxon, Archbishop of New Zealand, according to VirtueOnline, a conservative Anglican publication. "Underneath all the discussions and debates is how do we view the Bible?"
Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, said a lot of the division in the Anglican Communion "has to do with the Bible."
Bishops attending the once-a-decade Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England, this week spent Wednesday in conversations under the theme "Living Under Scripture: the Bishop and the Bible in Mission."
[The Christian Post] 1 Aug 2008--Before entering talks on human sexuality on Thursday, Anglican leaders took a deep look at the issue underlying the ongoing and highly publicized gay debate – the Bible.
"The issue of homosexuality comes down to an issue about the Bible," said the Most Rev. David Moxon, Archbishop of New Zealand, according to VirtueOnline, a conservative Anglican publication. "Underneath all the discussions and debates is how do we view the Bible?"
Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, said a lot of the division in the Anglican Communion "has to do with the Bible."
Bishops attending the once-a-decade Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England, this week spent Wednesday in conversations under the theme "Living Under Scripture: the Bishop and the Bible in Mission."
Church of England warned over stealing property
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/2484435/Church-of-England-warned-over-stealing-property.html
[Telegraph] 1 Aug 2008--The Rt Rev John Broadhurst, Bishop of Fulham, claims most of the church's assets once belonged to the Roman Catholic Church.
He says it would be "legalised theft" if the Church of England tried to keep buildings used by Anglo-Catholics who may defect to Rome after its governing body voted to bring in women bishops without special concessions for traditionalists.
Discussions are already under way between at least one Church of England bishop and the Vatican about entire parishes converting to the Roman Catholic Church.
The council of Forward in Faith, the traditionalist group chaired by Bishop Broadhurst which represents more than 8,000 Anglo-Catholics within the Church of England, has also voted vowed to press ahead with finding a way to create new dioceses for those who do not want to be led by a woman bishop.
[Telegraph] 1 Aug 2008--The Rt Rev John Broadhurst, Bishop of Fulham, claims most of the church's assets once belonged to the Roman Catholic Church.
He says it would be "legalised theft" if the Church of England tried to keep buildings used by Anglo-Catholics who may defect to Rome after its governing body voted to bring in women bishops without special concessions for traditionalists.
Discussions are already under way between at least one Church of England bishop and the Vatican about entire parishes converting to the Roman Catholic Church.
The council of Forward in Faith, the traditionalist group chaired by Bishop Broadhurst which represents more than 8,000 Anglo-Catholics within the Church of England, has also voted vowed to press ahead with finding a way to create new dioceses for those who do not want to be led by a woman bishop.
Two Global South Archbishops Lash Out at Williams and Lambeth Conference
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8775
[Virtue Online] 1 Aug 2008--Two high level Global South Archbishops have lashed out at Dr. Rowan Williams and the Lambeth Conference with Ugandan Primate, the Most Rev. Henry Orombi accusing the Archbishop of Canterbury of "betrayal" and holding an office "remnant of British colonialism".
In a letter released yesterday from his headquarters in Kampala, the Ugandan Archbishop said "those who violate biblical teaching must show repentance and regret before we can share communion with them," a point blank aim at the U.S. Episcopal Church.
Neither Orombi nor his fellow bishops are at Lambeth and said his absence was the only way that our voice will be heard. "For more than ten years we have been speaking and have not been heard. So maybe our absence will speak louder than our words."
[Virtue Online] 1 Aug 2008--Two high level Global South Archbishops have lashed out at Dr. Rowan Williams and the Lambeth Conference with Ugandan Primate, the Most Rev. Henry Orombi accusing the Archbishop of Canterbury of "betrayal" and holding an office "remnant of British colonialism".
In a letter released yesterday from his headquarters in Kampala, the Ugandan Archbishop said "those who violate biblical teaching must show repentance and regret before we can share communion with them," a point blank aim at the U.S. Episcopal Church.
Neither Orombi nor his fellow bishops are at Lambeth and said his absence was the only way that our voice will be heard. "For more than ten years we have been speaking and have not been heard. So maybe our absence will speak louder than our words."
Proposed ‘retrospective’ moratorium means New Westminster will be asked to withdraw all same-sex blessings, says Windsor Continuation Group member
http://www.anglicanjournal.com/100/article/proposed-retrospective-moratorium-means-new-westminster-will-be-asked-to-withdraw-all-same-sex-ble/
[Anglican Journal] 1 Aug 2008--A member of the Windsor Continuation Group (WCG) has stated that the body’s proposal for a “retrospective” moratorium on same-sex blessings means that dioceses such as Vancouver-based New Westminster “will be asked to reconsider and withdraw that right.
The words “retrospective moratorium”, which has the potential to affect a number of Canadian dioceses, has caused confusion among Canadian bishops attending the decennial Lambeth Conference here. Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, said this, along with other proposals put forward by the WCG, was a matter that the house of bishops and the Council of General Synod – the church’s governing body between General Synods – would have to discuss.
Will the Episcopal Church be asked to withdraw its confirmation and consecration of Gene Robinson and its ordination of sexually active gay and lesbian clergy?
[Anglican Journal] 1 Aug 2008--A member of the Windsor Continuation Group (WCG) has stated that the body’s proposal for a “retrospective” moratorium on same-sex blessings means that dioceses such as Vancouver-based New Westminster “will be asked to reconsider and withdraw that right.
The words “retrospective moratorium”, which has the potential to affect a number of Canadian dioceses, has caused confusion among Canadian bishops attending the decennial Lambeth Conference here. Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, said this, along with other proposals put forward by the WCG, was a matter that the house of bishops and the Council of General Synod – the church’s governing body between General Synods – would have to discuss.
Will the Episcopal Church be asked to withdraw its confirmation and consecration of Gene Robinson and its ordination of sexually active gay and lesbian clergy?
How Far Can This Centre Reach?
http://www.forwardinfaith.com/artman/publish/article_451.shtml
{FIF International News] 1 Aug 2008--Last autumn I visited a friend in Boston. Her son's family recently moved there, and each Thursday she delights to look after her grandson. On the Thursday I was there, we spent time at the playground in a public park near her home. The playground was fenced, in part so that if a minder's attention wandered, the child being minded would not be able to get too far away.
Such fences as may have once bounded the Anglican "playground" seem to have fallen in disrepair, and the "children" seem to be running off. And it remains to be seen whether will be possible for the "minder" to catch them and bring them back.
The Communion's chief "minder", Archbp. Rowan Williams, in his address to the Lambeth Conference on July 29th, spoke from the center. One sees him standing there in the form of the Crucified, arms outstretched, reaching to both sides of the present conflict within the Communion. But the question is, have the "children" already run too far for those arms to touch and gather them?
Both traditionalists and innovators (to use the Archbishop's tags) seem to agree that Archbp. Williams has fairly represented the positions they wish to affirm. But in a sense the Archbishop may have failed to look far enough beyond the presenting issues.
Presentations like that of Prof. West yesterday suggest that the two sides are both seeking to live under Scripture, but have come to understand what it says - and in its details, not just in a general way - differently. The Archbishop's remarks suggest that he holds a similar view; that is perhaps the basis on which he believes the two sides can be drawn together.
That may be true of innovators and traditionalists in the Communion as a whole. It seems to be what innovators from the American Church are saying about themselves here. But is that really what is going on?
{FIF International News] 1 Aug 2008--Last autumn I visited a friend in Boston. Her son's family recently moved there, and each Thursday she delights to look after her grandson. On the Thursday I was there, we spent time at the playground in a public park near her home. The playground was fenced, in part so that if a minder's attention wandered, the child being minded would not be able to get too far away.
Such fences as may have once bounded the Anglican "playground" seem to have fallen in disrepair, and the "children" seem to be running off. And it remains to be seen whether will be possible for the "minder" to catch them and bring them back.
The Communion's chief "minder", Archbp. Rowan Williams, in his address to the Lambeth Conference on July 29th, spoke from the center. One sees him standing there in the form of the Crucified, arms outstretched, reaching to both sides of the present conflict within the Communion. But the question is, have the "children" already run too far for those arms to touch and gather them?
Both traditionalists and innovators (to use the Archbishop's tags) seem to agree that Archbp. Williams has fairly represented the positions they wish to affirm. But in a sense the Archbishop may have failed to look far enough beyond the presenting issues.
Presentations like that of Prof. West yesterday suggest that the two sides are both seeking to live under Scripture, but have come to understand what it says - and in its details, not just in a general way - differently. The Archbishop's remarks suggest that he holds a similar view; that is perhaps the basis on which he believes the two sides can be drawn together.
That may be true of innovators and traditionalists in the Communion as a whole. It seems to be what innovators from the American Church are saying about themselves here. But is that really what is going on?
Lambeth 2008: Negotiating the terms of divorce
http://geoconger.wordpress.com/2008/07/31/lambeth-2008-negotiating-the-terms-of-divorce-ird-72908/
[George Conger] 1 Aug 2008--The Anglican Communion has foundered and is ready to sink beneath the waves, bishops attending the 14th Lambeth Conference tell the IRD.
Charges of dishonesty and ignorance were exchanged during the first week of the conference, a gathering of the bishops of the Anglican Communion in Canterbury, England, that occurs every ten years. Attempts by the leader of the 80-million member church, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams, to steer the church clear of the shoals of schism appears to have failed.
While a week remains for the bishops to put aside their differences and come to a common mind on the issues dividing the church, there is little indication that either side is ready to sacrifice its principles for the sake of political expediency.
Liberal American bishops have urged the church to give it an opportunity to explain its evolving stance on homosexuality, while conservatives have called for the cessation the consecration of gay clergy and a halt to blessings of same sex unions or gay marriages.
“I’d like to expect a miracle,” said Bishop Gregory Venables of Argentina, a leader of the evangelical alliance at Lambeth, but said he feared the prospects for the church holding together were slight.
[George Conger] 1 Aug 2008--The Anglican Communion has foundered and is ready to sink beneath the waves, bishops attending the 14th Lambeth Conference tell the IRD.
Charges of dishonesty and ignorance were exchanged during the first week of the conference, a gathering of the bishops of the Anglican Communion in Canterbury, England, that occurs every ten years. Attempts by the leader of the 80-million member church, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams, to steer the church clear of the shoals of schism appears to have failed.
While a week remains for the bishops to put aside their differences and come to a common mind on the issues dividing the church, there is little indication that either side is ready to sacrifice its principles for the sake of political expediency.
Liberal American bishops have urged the church to give it an opportunity to explain its evolving stance on homosexuality, while conservatives have called for the cessation the consecration of gay clergy and a halt to blessings of same sex unions or gay marriages.
“I’d like to expect a miracle,” said Bishop Gregory Venables of Argentina, a leader of the evangelical alliance at Lambeth, but said he feared the prospects for the church holding together were slight.
'Mini Lambeth' would be the way forward, say dissatisfied bishops
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/01/anglicanism.religion1
[Guardian] 1 Aug 2008--The conference conclusions are to be printed on Sunday but a resolution on divisive matters is unlikely.
One bishop told the Guardian: " Unless we reach some kind of resolution in the next 48 hours this whole thing will have been an expensive waste of time."
[Guardian] 1 Aug 2008--The conference conclusions are to be printed on Sunday but a resolution on divisive matters is unlikely.
One bishop told the Guardian: " Unless we reach some kind of resolution in the next 48 hours this whole thing will have been an expensive waste of time."
Orthodox Bishops on GAFCON and Liberalism
http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8772
[Virtue Online] 1 Aug 2008--Two orthodox bishops-one American, one Ghanian-sat down this afternoon in the grass at the University of Kent and called the Anglican Communion back to Scripture and tradition. Liberalism in the Anglican Communion sends the impression to Christians in Africa that "the devil has come into the church," said Bishop Matthias Medadues-Badohu of the Diocese of Ho in Ghana, who was joined at the sit-down press conference by Bishop Keith Ackerman of the Diocese of Quincy in The Episcopal Church.
Ackerman reminded his audience about the bishops who chose to remain home during Lambeth. "Those who are absent are absent not just because it is convenient," he said. "It would be very unfortunate if we did not note the number who are not here." For one thing, he said that The Episcopal Church has neglected the task of welcoming back members of the 53 denominational groups that have left the church over the years.
Furthermore, Ackerman said that the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) is "the elephant in the room."
[Virtue Online] 1 Aug 2008--Two orthodox bishops-one American, one Ghanian-sat down this afternoon in the grass at the University of Kent and called the Anglican Communion back to Scripture and tradition. Liberalism in the Anglican Communion sends the impression to Christians in Africa that "the devil has come into the church," said Bishop Matthias Medadues-Badohu of the Diocese of Ho in Ghana, who was joined at the sit-down press conference by Bishop Keith Ackerman of the Diocese of Quincy in The Episcopal Church.
Ackerman reminded his audience about the bishops who chose to remain home during Lambeth. "Those who are absent are absent not just because it is convenient," he said. "It would be very unfortunate if we did not note the number who are not here." For one thing, he said that The Episcopal Church has neglected the task of welcoming back members of the 53 denominational groups that have left the church over the years.
Furthermore, Ackerman said that the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) is "the elephant in the room."
Justifying Lambeth
http://hillsofthenorth.blogspot.com/2008/07/justifying-lambeth.html
[Hills of the North] 1 Aug 2008--There has been a smug (and bitter) implication from the Archbishop and others that somehow those who did not come to Lambeth would be sorry they missed out. But at least at this point it's hard to see why they would regret their absence. They missed being told they were wife beaters by a radical feminist bishop from the States. They missed being called "demonic" by another bishop from America who has a soft spot for the world's most hideous tyrants. They missed a Bible studys from a guy who viewed homosexual rape as nothing more than the sin of "inhospitability." They missed the blatant lies from American bishops about how no same-sex blessings were being done or were authorized. They missed a meaningless protest march in the London streets against poverty and the excessive feast that appeared to be the real main point of the exercise. They missed having to walk out of a highly offensive and accusatory session in which males were portrayed as inherently prone to abuse of women. They missed being surrounded by Americans whose excessive numbers underscore the colonialist reflex of the church's white, liberal, Western overlords. They missed the freak shows happening at the fringes of the conference. But what else did they really miss? Truly there was nothing that happened at Lambeth that would cause them to think twice about their decision. And the same can't be said about the decisions some of their orthodox colleagues made to attend
[Hills of the North] 1 Aug 2008--There has been a smug (and bitter) implication from the Archbishop and others that somehow those who did not come to Lambeth would be sorry they missed out. But at least at this point it's hard to see why they would regret their absence. They missed being told they were wife beaters by a radical feminist bishop from the States. They missed being called "demonic" by another bishop from America who has a soft spot for the world's most hideous tyrants. They missed a Bible studys from a guy who viewed homosexual rape as nothing more than the sin of "inhospitability." They missed the blatant lies from American bishops about how no same-sex blessings were being done or were authorized. They missed a meaningless protest march in the London streets against poverty and the excessive feast that appeared to be the real main point of the exercise. They missed having to walk out of a highly offensive and accusatory session in which males were portrayed as inherently prone to abuse of women. They missed being surrounded by Americans whose excessive numbers underscore the colonialist reflex of the church's white, liberal, Western overlords. They missed the freak shows happening at the fringes of the conference. But what else did they really miss? Truly there was nothing that happened at Lambeth that would cause them to think twice about their decision. And the same can't be said about the decisions some of their orthodox colleagues made to attend
Press Conference with +Ackerman and +Mathias coming soon on ATV and Baby blue
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/14988/
[Stand Firm] 1 Aug 2008--Bishop Ackerman of Quincy and Bishop Mathias of the Diocese of Ho in West Africa just gave a press conference. I attempted to live blog but Bishop Ackerman speaks so fast I couldn't keep up. Thankfully both ATV and Baby Blue were there to video the entire thing.
Bishop Ackerman spoke about GAFCON, broken ecumenical relationships and the "Anglican Diaspora". Bishop Mathias spoke about the differences between Lambeth and Gafcon, the difficulties involved in ministering in Africa as the "gay church".Both bishops expressed frustration at the unending process. Bishop Mathias said that in Africa indaba is used to come to a community decision. At Lambeth indaba has become a method of avoiding decisions. He said that many bishops refer to the indaba groups jokingly as "in da bar" groups.
Bishop Matthias also said that this morning someone distributed information in the form of a fact sheet to the bishops revealing the truth about same sex blessings in the United States. He said many were surprised by what they read.
[Stand Firm] 1 Aug 2008--Bishop Ackerman of Quincy and Bishop Mathias of the Diocese of Ho in West Africa just gave a press conference. I attempted to live blog but Bishop Ackerman speaks so fast I couldn't keep up. Thankfully both ATV and Baby Blue were there to video the entire thing.
Bishop Ackerman spoke about GAFCON, broken ecumenical relationships and the "Anglican Diaspora". Bishop Mathias spoke about the differences between Lambeth and Gafcon, the difficulties involved in ministering in Africa as the "gay church".Both bishops expressed frustration at the unending process. Bishop Mathias said that in Africa indaba is used to come to a community decision. At Lambeth indaba has become a method of avoiding decisions. He said that many bishops refer to the indaba groups jokingly as "in da bar" groups.
Bishop Matthias also said that this morning someone distributed information in the form of a fact sheet to the bishops revealing the truth about same sex blessings in the United States. He said many were surprised by what they read.
Lambeth and Legitimacy
http://accurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2008/07/lambeth-and-legitimacy.html
[Anglican Curmudgeon] 1 Aug 2008--Lambeth is about legitimacy. It is unpleasant to have to point that fact out, but it is becoming more and more evident as the Conference draws to a close. Consider....
[Anglican Curmudgeon] 1 Aug 2008--Lambeth is about legitimacy. It is unpleasant to have to point that fact out, but it is becoming more and more evident as the Conference draws to a close. Consider....
Competing Numbers, Apologies, & “The Troubles” in the AC
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/article/14986/
[Stand Firm] 1 Aug 2008--Yesterday Bishop Harold Miller, of the Diocese of Down and Dromore [Ireland], was kind enough to sit down with me and discuss several Lambeth Conference events and issues.
The 45-minute discussion covers the Reflection document, the issues of subsidiarity and adiaphora, past maneuverings at Lambeth 1998, how The Troubles in Ireland compare with the divisions in the Anglican Communion, what things might be added to strengthen the recommendations of the Windsor Continuation Group, the nature of apologies, and a look at the Province of Ireland.
[Stand Firm] 1 Aug 2008--Yesterday Bishop Harold Miller, of the Diocese of Down and Dromore [Ireland], was kind enough to sit down with me and discuss several Lambeth Conference events and issues.
The 45-minute discussion covers the Reflection document, the issues of subsidiarity and adiaphora, past maneuverings at Lambeth 1998, how The Troubles in Ireland compare with the divisions in the Anglican Communion, what things might be added to strengthen the recommendations of the Windsor Continuation Group, the nature of apologies, and a look at the Province of Ireland.
Deeply Exercised but Moving On
http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/comments/editorial_comments_1st_august_2008_deeply_exercised_but_moving_on/
[Global South Anglican] 1 Aug 2008--I read the Windsor Continuation Group observations, which came in three installments, with a sense of hope. I recalled that this was also the immediate response of most when the Dar Es Salaam Statement was released. There was hope then that the ‘torn fabric’ will be healed.
This hope can be summarised this way: That finally, actions will be taken in response to the actions of those who caused the tear in the first place. Finally, we may be able to move on and get on with the mission of the church. Finally, the actions and ministry of the church will no longer get the attention of our world media (which is a good sign – as the real church work is boring stuff for the public).
It is now 2008, and the gaping wound is still there. For many, it still feels like the wound broke open yesterday. Through these years, many have been deeply exercised over matters which they have no control. I am one of them, along with many of my colleagues. The web became a forum for such a ‘vexation of spirit’ but after all is said and posted, the decisions still falls into the hands who could make a difference – our Primates, and especially, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
It is both a moral and pastoral responsibility to bring closure to a disciplinary issue for the sake of the flock. The nature, intensity and duration of the disciplinary response can be mitigated by various factors, but to fail to exercise them is a failure of pastoral leadership. Vicars of parishes know this only too well. There can be a lot of listening and pastoral understanding, but the continual viability of a community is dependent on the proper exercise of this moral and pastoral responsibility.
Dar es Salaam held the most promise. It was Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates, speaking in one voice. Or at least, it appeared so initially. How has it been followed through? Kyrie Eleison, repeating the closing words of our dear Archbishop of Uganda’s latest public address. We can’t help but ask, “If that Statement did not do much, what will these WCG observations accomplish?”
We may need to retrace our steps – back to Dar Es Salaam – if there is any hope for healing.
[Global South Anglican] 1 Aug 2008--I read the Windsor Continuation Group observations, which came in three installments, with a sense of hope. I recalled that this was also the immediate response of most when the Dar Es Salaam Statement was released. There was hope then that the ‘torn fabric’ will be healed.
This hope can be summarised this way: That finally, actions will be taken in response to the actions of those who caused the tear in the first place. Finally, we may be able to move on and get on with the mission of the church. Finally, the actions and ministry of the church will no longer get the attention of our world media (which is a good sign – as the real church work is boring stuff for the public).
It is now 2008, and the gaping wound is still there. For many, it still feels like the wound broke open yesterday. Through these years, many have been deeply exercised over matters which they have no control. I am one of them, along with many of my colleagues. The web became a forum for such a ‘vexation of spirit’ but after all is said and posted, the decisions still falls into the hands who could make a difference – our Primates, and especially, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
It is both a moral and pastoral responsibility to bring closure to a disciplinary issue for the sake of the flock. The nature, intensity and duration of the disciplinary response can be mitigated by various factors, but to fail to exercise them is a failure of pastoral leadership. Vicars of parishes know this only too well. There can be a lot of listening and pastoral understanding, but the continual viability of a community is dependent on the proper exercise of this moral and pastoral responsibility.
Dar es Salaam held the most promise. It was Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates, speaking in one voice. Or at least, it appeared so initially. How has it been followed through? Kyrie Eleison, repeating the closing words of our dear Archbishop of Uganda’s latest public address. We can’t help but ask, “If that Statement did not do much, what will these WCG observations accomplish?”
We may need to retrace our steps – back to Dar Es Salaam – if there is any hope for healing.
The Church cannot heal this crisis of betrayal
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4438729.ece
[Times Online] 1 Aug 2008--I love the Lord Jesus Christ, and I love the Anglican Communion. So, why did the bishops of the Church of Uganda and I decide not to attend the present Lambeth Conference? Because we love the Lord Jesus Christ and because we love the Anglican Communion.
St Francis of Assisi said: “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary use words.” We believe that our absence at this Lambeth Conference is the only way that our voice will be heard. For more than ten years we have been speaking and have not been heard. So maybe our absence will speak louder than our words.
The crisis in the Communion is serious; our commitment to biblical and historic faith and mission are serious; and we want to be taken seriously. In 2003 the Episcopal Church in America consecrated as bishop a man living in an active homosexual relationship. This unilateral and unbiblical action was directly contrary to a resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference.
I participated in that conference and we overwhelmingly resolved that “homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture” and the conference “cannot advise the legitimising of same-sex unions”. As a result, the 2003 action of the American Church plunged the Anglican Communion into a crisis that, as the primates of the Anglican Communion said in 2003, “tore the very fabric of our communion at its deepest level”. The crisis is about authority - biblical authority and ecclesiastical authority.
The American decision disregarded biblical authority by violating clear biblical teaching against homosexual behaviour. For this reason, the Church of Uganda and other Anglican provinces broke communion with the Episcopal Church in America in 2003, and we continue in that state of broken communion today.
Even though some scholars have tried to explain away specific biblical passages that refer to homosexual practice, the fact remains that nowhere in Scripture is homosexual practice affirmed or presented as a legitimate alternative to heterosexual relationships.
In every case, homosexual practice is considered sinful - something that breaks our relationship with God and harms our wellbeing. It is something for which one should repent and seek forgiveness and healing, which God is ever ready to do. Not only is Scripture to be taken seriously, but it is to be obeyed, because God intends for us things far better than we could ask or imagine.
If a whole province, such as the Episcopal Church, acts contrary to God’s word and the consensus of the communion, who in the Anglican Communion has the authority to discipline that erring province?
We in the Global South believed the Primates’ Meeting had this authority - the 1988 Lambeth Conference urged the Primates’ Meeting to “exercise an enhanced responsibility in offering guidance on doctrinal, moral and pastoral matters” and the 1998 Lambeth Conference reaffirmed this.
So, it was appropriate, after the American decision in 2003, that the Archbishop of Canterbury convened an emergency meeting of the primates to address the biblical and ecclesiastical crisis into which the Americans had plunged the Anglican Communion. The primates, including the American primate, unanimously advised that the consecration should not proceed. Nonetheless, two weeks later, the primate in America presided at the consecration as bishop of a man living in a same-sex relationship. This was a deep betrayal.
Since that meeting there have been numerous other “betrayals” to the extent that it is now hard to believe that the leadership in the American Church means what it says. They say that they are not authorising blessings of same-sex unions, yet we read newspaper reports of them. Two American bishops have even presided at such services of blessings. Bishops have written diocesan policies on the blessings of same-sex unions. It is simply untrue to say they have not been authorised.
That such blessings continue and seem to be increasing hardly demonstrates “regret”, let alone repentance, on the part of the American Church. So, when the Archbishop of Canterbury invited these American bishops to participate in the Lambeth Conference, against the recommendations of the Windsor Report and the Primates’ Meeting, and in the face of the unrelenting commitment of the American Church to bless sinful behaviour, we were stunned. Further betrayal.
It was clear to me and to our House of Bishops that the Instruments of Communion had utterly failed us.
Anglicans may say there are four “Instruments of Communion,” (the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Lambeth Conference; the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates’ Meeting). But de facto, there is only one - the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The peculiar thing is that this one man, who is at the centre of the communion’s structures, is not even elected by his peers. Even the Pope is elected by his peers, but what Anglicans have is a man appointed by a secular government. Over the past five years, we have come to see this as a remnant of British colonialism, and it is not serving us well. The spiritual leadership of a global communion of independent and autonomous provinces should not be reduced to one man appointed by a secular government.
It is important that our decision not to attend this Lambeth Conference is not misunderstood as withdrawing from the Anglican Communion. On the contrary, our decision reflects the depth of our concern and the sober realisation that the present structures are not capable of addressing the crisis.
How can we go to Holy Communion, sit in Bible study groups, and share meals together, pretending that everything is OK?, that we are still in fellowship with the persistent violators of biblical teaching and of Lambeth resolutions?
The Bible says: “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?” The Archbishop of Canterbury has asked us to “wait for each other”. But how is it possible when we are not travelling in the same direction?
The Church of Uganda takes its Anglican identity and the future hope of the global Anglican Communion very seriously. We love the Lord Jesus Christ, and we love the Anglican Communion. Lord, have mercy upon us.
The Most Rev Henry Luke Orombi is Archbishop of the Church of Uganda
[Times Online] 1 Aug 2008--I love the Lord Jesus Christ, and I love the Anglican Communion. So, why did the bishops of the Church of Uganda and I decide not to attend the present Lambeth Conference? Because we love the Lord Jesus Christ and because we love the Anglican Communion.
St Francis of Assisi said: “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary use words.” We believe that our absence at this Lambeth Conference is the only way that our voice will be heard. For more than ten years we have been speaking and have not been heard. So maybe our absence will speak louder than our words.
The crisis in the Communion is serious; our commitment to biblical and historic faith and mission are serious; and we want to be taken seriously. In 2003 the Episcopal Church in America consecrated as bishop a man living in an active homosexual relationship. This unilateral and unbiblical action was directly contrary to a resolution of the 1998 Lambeth Conference.
I participated in that conference and we overwhelmingly resolved that “homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture” and the conference “cannot advise the legitimising of same-sex unions”. As a result, the 2003 action of the American Church plunged the Anglican Communion into a crisis that, as the primates of the Anglican Communion said in 2003, “tore the very fabric of our communion at its deepest level”. The crisis is about authority - biblical authority and ecclesiastical authority.
The American decision disregarded biblical authority by violating clear biblical teaching against homosexual behaviour. For this reason, the Church of Uganda and other Anglican provinces broke communion with the Episcopal Church in America in 2003, and we continue in that state of broken communion today.
Even though some scholars have tried to explain away specific biblical passages that refer to homosexual practice, the fact remains that nowhere in Scripture is homosexual practice affirmed or presented as a legitimate alternative to heterosexual relationships.
In every case, homosexual practice is considered sinful - something that breaks our relationship with God and harms our wellbeing. It is something for which one should repent and seek forgiveness and healing, which God is ever ready to do. Not only is Scripture to be taken seriously, but it is to be obeyed, because God intends for us things far better than we could ask or imagine.
If a whole province, such as the Episcopal Church, acts contrary to God’s word and the consensus of the communion, who in the Anglican Communion has the authority to discipline that erring province?
We in the Global South believed the Primates’ Meeting had this authority - the 1988 Lambeth Conference urged the Primates’ Meeting to “exercise an enhanced responsibility in offering guidance on doctrinal, moral and pastoral matters” and the 1998 Lambeth Conference reaffirmed this.
So, it was appropriate, after the American decision in 2003, that the Archbishop of Canterbury convened an emergency meeting of the primates to address the biblical and ecclesiastical crisis into which the Americans had plunged the Anglican Communion. The primates, including the American primate, unanimously advised that the consecration should not proceed. Nonetheless, two weeks later, the primate in America presided at the consecration as bishop of a man living in a same-sex relationship. This was a deep betrayal.
Since that meeting there have been numerous other “betrayals” to the extent that it is now hard to believe that the leadership in the American Church means what it says. They say that they are not authorising blessings of same-sex unions, yet we read newspaper reports of them. Two American bishops have even presided at such services of blessings. Bishops have written diocesan policies on the blessings of same-sex unions. It is simply untrue to say they have not been authorised.
That such blessings continue and seem to be increasing hardly demonstrates “regret”, let alone repentance, on the part of the American Church. So, when the Archbishop of Canterbury invited these American bishops to participate in the Lambeth Conference, against the recommendations of the Windsor Report and the Primates’ Meeting, and in the face of the unrelenting commitment of the American Church to bless sinful behaviour, we were stunned. Further betrayal.
It was clear to me and to our House of Bishops that the Instruments of Communion had utterly failed us.
Anglicans may say there are four “Instruments of Communion,” (the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Lambeth Conference; the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates’ Meeting). But de facto, there is only one - the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The peculiar thing is that this one man, who is at the centre of the communion’s structures, is not even elected by his peers. Even the Pope is elected by his peers, but what Anglicans have is a man appointed by a secular government. Over the past five years, we have come to see this as a remnant of British colonialism, and it is not serving us well. The spiritual leadership of a global communion of independent and autonomous provinces should not be reduced to one man appointed by a secular government.
It is important that our decision not to attend this Lambeth Conference is not misunderstood as withdrawing from the Anglican Communion. On the contrary, our decision reflects the depth of our concern and the sober realisation that the present structures are not capable of addressing the crisis.
How can we go to Holy Communion, sit in Bible study groups, and share meals together, pretending that everything is OK?, that we are still in fellowship with the persistent violators of biblical teaching and of Lambeth resolutions?
The Bible says: “Can two walk together unless they are agreed?” The Archbishop of Canterbury has asked us to “wait for each other”. But how is it possible when we are not travelling in the same direction?
The Church of Uganda takes its Anglican identity and the future hope of the global Anglican Communion very seriously. We love the Lord Jesus Christ, and we love the Anglican Communion. Lord, have mercy upon us.
The Most Rev Henry Luke Orombi is Archbishop of the Church of Uganda
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