Posted on 06/19/2011 9:09:37 PM PDT by Steelfish
Church of England To Allow Gay Clergy To Become Bishops
The Church of England is using the Equality Act as a “smokescreen” for allowing gay clergymen to become bishops, according to the leader of the National Secular Society.
By Donna Bowater 19 Jun 2011
Guidance due to be published on Monday was expected to pave the way for homosexual clerics in civil partnerships to become bishops provided they remained celibate.
The document, published in response to last year’s Equality Act, will be sent to the General Synod before it meets in York next month. The paper said: "Someone in a sexually active relationship outside marriage is not eligible for the episcopate or other ordained ministry." It added: "There is, by contrast, no corresponding statement of the position of the Church of England that declares that a celibate person in a civil partnership cannot be considered for appointment as a bishop."
But Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the National Secular Society, said using the Equality Act as a guise for the changes was designed to deflect responsibility for the controversial issue.
Religious organisations are already exempt from equality laws that ban discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. Mr Porteous Wood said: “It is a very delicate question as to whether the Equality Act applies to bishops or not. If it doesn’t apply, it is a masterpiece of news management by Lambeth Palace to put off people who are criticising them for doing this at all.
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
As`a pre-qualifier I was raised evangelical protestant. Is that OK.
I also disagree with this position.
What the heel is that supposed to mean?
What the heel is that supposed to mean?
It means that since they chose the remain in a poor relationship with God, but seek a higher position in the church that lying about being celibate is no big deal.
I welcome gays in church with open arms. We are all sinners. But to knowingly and willingly be living a sinful life style but say you represent God is unacceptable in my opinion. One of many reasons I would not do so. This goes for gambling, adultery, child abuse............... Member of the church fine, Bishop, sorry no. IMHO
Mumbo Jumbo, Jumbo Mumbo....
Please, no apologies...it’s unacceptable in HIS opinion as well and He will deal with it...pobably sooner rather than later.
Why can’t you ever win at chess against an Anglican?
All their bishops are queens.
The Sodomites can flout Gods law all they want in this life. In the next they’ll pay for their abominations.
What the heel is that supposed to mean?
Simple -- you can be gay with a partner as long as you're gay only with him/her in a Platonic way. how that makes you gay and a gay-partner, I don't know
I thought this was pretty funny from the comments to the article:
“Canon Dr Chris Sugden, Sexfinder General.”
Freegards
Okay, so they say celibate? That general expression is an oxymoron if I ever heard one.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.