Episcopal same-sex rite will be developed

Washington Times ^ | 3/20/04 | Julia Duin

[kattracks]

The Episcopal bishop of Washington has named two priests

[thoughtomator]

Mr. Hopkins, co-chairman of the task force and the rector of St. George's Episcopal Church in Glenn Dale, said he has performed eight same-sex church blessings in the past decade.

"We have been asked to do a rite for people for whom marriage is not available," said the priest, who recently stepped down as chairman of the integrity caucus.

Kinda says it all, eh?

[stars & stripes forever]

I believe some verses in Romans 1 would be appropriate for the 'ceremony.'

18But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves.[6] 19For the truth about God is known to them instinctively.[7] God has put this knowledge in their hearts. 20From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.

21Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. 22Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. 23And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.

24So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. 25Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.

26That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.

[P-Marlowe]

2Ti 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

[MegaSilver]

The final nail in the coffin for the ECUSA.

[Young Rhino]

The "bride" will walk down the aisle to the sounds of Babs Streisand wailing. Marilyn Monroe and Diana Ross drag queen clothing will be in vogue.

Grooms will be clad like Elton John at a '70s Fire Island concert.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids will be dressed as their favorite members of the Village People.

The flower girl will litter the aisles with condoms for the guests and the ring bearer will carry his-and-his piercings.

Instead of kissing the bride, the unholy union will be sealed with a game of massage the bishop.

Rather than tossing a bouquet of flowers to the brides-to-be, a gerbil will be pitched instead.

Family lawyers nationwide will rejoice at the ensuing legal chaos because this rite will generate years of divorce and custody litigation.

[D-fendr]

poring over sample rites throughout the country to develop one that is "classically Anglican in tone and format,"

Perhaps they can look to King Henry for inspiration...

[ahadams2]

more discussion on this topic can be found at

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1100809/posts

[hellinahandcart]

stepped down as chairman of the integrity caucus.

It says even more than you think; "Integrity" is name of the ECUSA's gay lobby. I think the reporter may not have quite understood what he was hearing, or the editor what he was reading, or something.

[hellinahandcart]

Well, at least I got the answer to my question about who the flip the bishop was talking about, when he referred to "other couples who couldn't marry".

the rite can be used for other "relationships," such as elderly couples, who because of tax law or inheritance issues cannot marry.

There is no tax law or inheritance issue that would prevent any man and woman from marrying, if they really wanted to. They may choose not to. Can't really have your cake and eat it too.

"There are people who are mentally handicapped, who have a relationship, but whose guardians or parents don't feel marriage is the right thing," he said, "but there is a loving, exclusive relationship between these two folks.

If they don't "feel" marriage is the right thing, why do they "feel" that a "loving, exclusive [sexual] relationship" without benefit of marriage is preferable?

Their families have said, 'We wish they could be married, but they can't,

Why not? The caretakers have cooperated to the extent that the relationship between their charges is flourishing, why would they balk at marriage? "Oh no, our kids having sex together at every opportunity was fine, but MARRIAGE, my word, they couldn't handle that..."

Doesn't ring true. There are no groups of parents of mentally handicapped children, hounding the bishop to find some way to accomodate their children. He's making it up.

" but we want the blessing of God and the church on this.' "

Why not just say you want the blessings of God and the church on all forms of fornication, Bishop? That's where you're leading.

He is trying to pass off the blessing of Man as the blessing of God. It just won't work.

[Kakaze]

" The six-member task force is poring over sample rites throughout the country to develop one that is "classically Anglican in tone and format," "

Classically? Seems to me Classically would be a man and a woman, guess its a good thing I'm not Anglican.

[mdmathis6]

instead of lighting the candle in unison, they'll be sliding the condom together onto the candle!

[j_tull]

'We wish they could be married, but they can't, but we want the blessing of God ...'

Best of luck with that one.

[Klatuu]

Blessing anyone engaged in unrepentent sin is the same as damning them to hell.

[TheGeezer]

"We want to make sure there's a standard in the diocese, so that what is used is good liturgy," Mr. Hopkins said.

It's ironic that they pay lip service to the idea of standards, since ECUSA has abandoned all standards, anyway. Good liturgy cannot result from bad theology.

Oh well, Episcopalianism hasn't been able to teach apostolically since Cranley, anyway. What can one expect from a gaggle of apostates?

[Clintonfatigued]

The Episcopal Church has become a fringe group.

[EdReform]

Ping

What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda

Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)

The Stamp of Normality

[Aquinasfan]

How about, "I sodomize thee, I sodomize thee, I sodomize thee."

[petitfour]

What a mockery of Christianity!

[Zack Nguyen]

The Episcopalian Church has become nothing more than a country club with nice buildings.