showing some backbone
My oldest sister just sent me news about a statement issued by the assembled bishops of the Episcopal Church USA. (In case you don't know this about me, my father was an ordained priest, and the same sister is very active in the politics and outreach of the denomination.)
I haven't read the "proposed Pastoral Scheme of the Dar Es Salaam Communiqué," but you can bet it was influenced by the really reactionary Anglican Primates who've raised much of the fuss over the American church's consecration of a gay bishop (and if all that comes to mind is "Ook!" look up "primate"). In short, the American bishops responded to a letter from a grouping of leaders in the wider Anglican Communion, some of whom are quite vocal in their anti-gay beliefs. The letter, I am led to believe, proposes that the Episcopal Church allow itself to be put under some form of oversight by some of these same leaders, or ones with similar theological views. The bishops not only reject such a scheme (among other reasons given, it would violate the independence of the church, established during the American Revolution), but proclaim "the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church." Hallelujah.
This leaves me hopeful, along with last year's election of the denomination's presiding bishop, who is the first woman to hold the position. She also happens to be a trained jet pilot.
I haven't read the "proposed Pastoral Scheme of the Dar Es Salaam Communiqué," but you can bet it was influenced by the really reactionary Anglican Primates who've raised much of the fuss over the American church's consecration of a gay bishop (and if all that comes to mind is "Ook!" look up "primate"). In short, the American bishops responded to a letter from a grouping of leaders in the wider Anglican Communion, some of whom are quite vocal in their anti-gay beliefs. The letter, I am led to believe, proposes that the Episcopal Church allow itself to be put under some form of oversight by some of these same leaders, or ones with similar theological views. The bishops not only reject such a scheme (among other reasons given, it would violate the independence of the church, established during the American Revolution), but proclaim "the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church." Hallelujah.
This leaves me hopeful, along with last year's election of the denomination's presiding bishop, who is the first woman to hold the position. She also happens to be a trained jet pilot.