Episcopal Gay Feud Heats Up In Two States

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/02/020705episcopal.htm

The rift in the Episcopal Church over the ordination of an openly gay bishop widened on the weekend.

In North Carolina, 75 parishes voted to support the Church's conservative element, calling for the denomination to stop accepting gay priests and to enact a moratorium on same-sex blessings. It also called on the Canadian branch of the worldwide Anglican faith to do the same.

The decision was taken at the annual Convention of the Diocese of East Carolina.

[Botany]

1. Grow up.

An Episcopalian.


:grr:

[Ian David]

2. But... but... what the CHURCH SAYS COMES RIGHT FROM GOD!

If the church can't decide what God has REALLY said, then how can anyone know what ELSE the church is wrong about?

This should be like when Captain Kirk talks to the computer and gets it so frustrated that it explodes. "You must destroy the evil... you are the evil..." <poof!>

[OneBlueSky]

3. this is interesting because the Bishop of North Carolina . . .

is a very liberal African-American who supported the ordination of Gene Robinson . . . he's someone I was friends with in college, and I recently saw him for the first time in many years . . . he's issued a pastoral statement concerning "blessings of committed life long unions of persons of the same gender in the Diocese of North Carolina" . . . though he treads carefully, he's also clear where he stands:

"From my perspective as Bishop, the blessing of the committed life long unions of persons of the same gender is one way our community can live the Gospel through faithful and loving pastoral care and spiritual support for each other."

needless to say, as a liberal bishop in a largely conservative state, he has his hands full . . . but he's a brilliant thinker and a powerful speaker, and I'm confident that he'll be able to weather the storm . . . you can read his full statement here . . .

http://www.integrityusa.org/samesexblessings/NorthCarolina.htm

[libnnc]

6. I had forgotten that NC's Bishop was

sympathetic and very liberal. I read about him in the paper last year. Thanks for the reminder.

[freestyle]

8. East Carolina is a different Diocese than North Carolina

There is also a diocese of Western North Carolina. Bishop Curry of the Diocese of North Carolina was my parish priest before he was elected and is someone who truly knows Jesus. It would be truly sad for the Episcopal Church or the Anglican Communion to split over this, but it could happen. I honestly do not understand how everything Jesus taught can be put on hold while we deal with people who argue that love is immoral.

[OneBlueSky]

9. you were fortunate to have him in your parish . . .

I hadn't seen Michael in almost 30 years until he came up to New Jersey to ordain a mutual friend last year . . . what blew me away was his preaching . . . the Episcopal Church is known as a rather staid institution, but Michael's sermon was moving, informative, uplifiting, and funny all at the same time . . . and at times he just blew the roof off the place . . . I was thoroughly impressed, and told him so at the reception . . . btw, he's also a hell of a good guy . . .

[Rowdyboy]

4. At least the news from Kentucky was positive....The Bishop there

suspended 3 priests and a deacon who aligned with the conservative African church.

[xchrom]

5. it's going to have to be that way.

the two groups will have to separate eventually.

prolonging the affair is just brutal.

[davidinalameda]

7. most of the Christian denominations will end up splitting over this

but if that's what the conservatives want, they're going to get it