Church of England Rules Gay Men in Civil Partnerships Can Become Bishops

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 1/4/13 | Peter Walker

[marshmallow]

Gay clergy in civil partnerships will be allowed to become bishops if they are sexually abstinent, according to new policy

The Church of England has agreed that gay clergy in civil partnerships can become bishops so long as they remain sexually abstinent, a decision that looks set to reopen one of the church's most bitter internal debates.

The decision was taken in mid-December by the House of Bishops, the section of the General Synod which is responsible for church teaching.

A summary of the meeting was placed on the church's website on 20 December but the change to policy was buried within the text.

The statement notes that House of Bishops members had considered an interim report from a group led by Sir Joseph Pilling, a retired civil servant commissioned early last year to look into the church's attitudes to sexuality.

While the bishops said they would not issue more guidance on civil partnerships before the final report, they indicated that being in a civil partnership was not necessarily a bar to becoming a bishop.

The summary read: "[The House of Bishops] confirmed that the requirements in the 2005 statement concerning the eligibility for ordination of those in civil partnerships whose relationships are consistent with the teaching of the Church of England apply equally in relation to the episcopate."

The 2005 document gave guidance for clergy, for example if they were asked to bless civil partnerships, which had come into being the previous year. It also stated that the House of Bishops did not see being in a civil partnership as "intrinsically incompatible with holy orders" provided those concerned could give assurances the relationship was not sexually active. However, the 2005 statement did not extend this to bishops.

[WKUHilltopper]

Pretty soon, they’ll be ordaining hogs.

[apillar]

Hey what do expect from a Church that was created for the sole purpose of allowing a King to get rid of his wives?

[massmike]

Archie Bunker had England ALL figured out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dKpHtc9F9M

[Mikey_1962]

I wonder if Henry VIII knew he was creating the Church of Sodomites

[Hoodat]

I’m not totally familiar with the rules of Anglicans as opposed to Catholics. Are Anglican priests allowed to marry?

[a fool in paradise]

“eatin’ ain’t cheatin’” will soon be the MANtra.

[Servant of the Cross]

Gay clergy in civil partnerships will be allowed to become bishops ...

'I AM a trendsetter. Take that you English beasts.'

[dbehsman]

And the devil laughs all that much harder.

[Longbow1969]

LOL, who on earth actually takes the Church of England seriously. It’s a complete joke at this point.

[Venturer]

Two men living together with abstinence are just two men living in the same house.

They aren’t really partners unles they bend over for each other.

This is really stupid.Why do they even need to say that they can live together without sex, Of course they can.

[miele man]

Yes, they are allowed to marry. Used to be that if a married priest became divorced, then HE would have to leave the priesthood. Sadly, not only are there divorced and re-married priests and bishops, but now in some countries, they can be practicing homosexuals or lesbians. Jesus still weeps.

[PGR88]

Hey what do expect from a Church that was created for the sole purpose of allowing a King to get rid of his wives?

Indeed, the fact that it has survived nearly 500 years since shows the strength of the original Christian roots. But now that tree is dying, roots and all.

[jagusafr]

O_-

[MIchaelTArchangel]

And the “Church of England” will officially change its name to the “Church of Peaderstry”.

[jagusafr]

O_o

[JimSEA]

William Rufus, Richard I, Edward II and James I would all have likely approved. In fact it might have spared Edward II a royal pain in the arse if gay rights had existed ( his wife would have just had his head chopped off).

[wideawake]

Ah, the joys of private judgment.

[Enten]

“can become bishops so long as they remain sexually abstinent”
What are the chances gays living in a relationship will remain sexually abstinent? It is amazing how human nature is constantly denied and ignored. Leftism is truly emotion based.

[Albion Wilde]

Hey what do expect from a Church that was created for the sole purpose of allowing a King to get rid of his wives?

Yep. The logical outcome of rationalizing sexual sin.