Posted on 06/19/2005 6:18:21 PM PDT by sionnsar
ANGLICAN leaders will hear for the first time tomorrow a theological justification by the heads of the Canadian and American churches for their actions over homosexuals, which have brought the Anglican community to the brink of schism.
The Primate of the US Anglican Church, the Most Rev Frank Griswold, will deliver a report to a meeting in Nottingham on why it was right to ordain the openly gay Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire. The Canadian Primate, the Archbishop of Montreal, the Most Rev Andrew Hutchison, will also lead a delegation to explain the actions of the New Westminster Diocese in authorising same-sex blessings.
They will continue to stand by the ordination of Bishop Robinson, condemned by the so-called Global South churches of Africa for breaching the spirit of a resolution on sexuality agreed by the 1998 Lambeth Conference that set a biblical norm on the issue, and which was legal within the constitution of the US church and supported by most of its bishops. However, they have agreed a temporary moratorium on any future episcopal ordinations, straight and gay, in an attempt to avert immediate schism. Their report concludes with a detailed appendix setting out a 40-year history of the US church’s explorations of the gay issue.
After the primates’ meeting in Ireland this year, Canada and the US agreed to withdraw their official representatives from this week’s meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council, the worldwide church’s executive body. Their delegates will be limited to explaining their actions.
The meeting opened yesterday with a procession through the streets of Nottingham led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.
The communion, with 77 million members in 38 provinces, has been paralysed by the dispute over gays. Neither side wants schism but it is becoming increasingly difficult to see how they can remain in the same body. The debate will come to a head at the 2008 Lambeth Conference in Canterbury.
All sides are hoping to avert schism. One outcome in 2008 could be that the US and Canada are forced into observer status only unless they agree to adopt the orthodox line. Internationally the rift appears unbridgeable. In Brazil the former Bishop of Recife, Robinson Cavalcanti, is to appeal against his deposition by a church court for declaring his diocese out of communion with New Westminster and New Hampshire. The Recife diocesan standing committeehas described his deposition as vicious, and has called an extraordinary synod for August.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said, in an ITV interview with Melvyn Bragg, that he could see no “theological objections” to a woman leading the Anglican Church and admitted that many Christians were bigoted towards homosexuals.
[I searched for a copy of the US report, but it makes sense that it wouldn't be released until tomorrow. --sionnsar]
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. The ACC is unwilling or unable to exercise the minimal control of who attends and who participates in its meetings. They allow themselves to be arrogantly violated, without resistance or official protest. This is truly a sinking vessel.
Sad.
Wait and see how this plays out before you rush to judgement.
Fair enough. There is time to respond. Hopefully they will set unequivocal expectations and limits on those who have now shown themselves for what they are.
ECUSA goes too far. With all the truly Christian primates praying, Griswold had better worry about the God of the Bible stepping in.
Hopefully!
Am about to go out and see what's been happening...
The lack of backbone of my church is truly frustrating.
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.