[polymuser]

God’s free, justifying grace, with its many spiritual and social consequences...the value of the human person is immeasurable...It must not be violated by religiously-based aggression...Human dignity must be protected from continuing gender-based oppression...provide new strategies where such are needed...Christian unity calls for significantly new approaches.

Because of Called to Common Mission, ECUSA Bishop V. Gene Robinson is also a bishop to ELCA Lutherans. ELCA Bishop Hanson is a champion of blessing gay couples and ordaining gay clergy. With this in mind, what do you think the above words are trying to convey to the new Pope?

[lightman]

Considering that the President of the LWF snubbed his invitation to attend JP II's Requiem (schedule conflict with the ELCA Council meeting resulting in advocating ordaining the non-celibate GLBT folks) this is a "here I stand" statement.

But I do not believe that the LWF President's "conscience is captive to the Word of God."

I prefer Ratzinger's "here I stand" statement preached at the beginning of the Conclave.

[bobjam]

Whatever message they may be trying to send would be irrelevant. When he led the Congregation for Doctrine of the Faith, Pope Benedict XVI in person delivered a very strong message of support to the 2000+ Episcopalians who met in Texas after the Vicki Gene approval.

I imagine Martin Luther would rather associate himself with Benedict XVI than ELCA.