Integrity Press Release on today's action in the House of Bishops:
By a nearly 2-1 margin, the bishops of the Episcopal Church passed an amended version of resolution D025, which effectively ends the “BO33 Era” and returns the church to relying on its canons and discernment processes for the election of bishops. “While concurrence on the amended resolution by the House of Deputies is necessary before it is officially adopted by the church as a whole,” said Integrity President Susan Russell, “there is no question that today’s vote in the House of Bishops was an historic move forward and a great day for all who support the full inclusion of all the baptized in the Body of Christ.”
“It was a tremendous privilege to be a witness to the courage and candor of the bishops who spoke truth to each other and to us – and who called the Episcopal Church to speak our truth to our Anglican Communion brothers and sisters and to the world.
“The truth is we are a church committed to mission – we are a church committed to the full inclusion of all the baptized in that mission – and we are a church committed to creating as broad a place to stand as possible for ALL who wish to be part of this great adventure of being disciples of Jesus.
“In this carefully constructed and prayerfully considered resolution, our Presiding Bishop got what she both asked for and voted for: a positive statement about where we are as a church in 2009 – a church striving to actually become the church former Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning called us to be nearly 20 years ago now … a church where there are no outcasts.”
“The debate on the floor of the House of Bishops made it VERY clear that our bishops knew exactly what they were doing when they passed this by a nearly 2-1 margin. The resolution passed today by the House of Bishops was another step in the Episcopal Church’s “coming out” process – and it sends a strong “come and see” message to anyone looking for a faith community where God’s inclusive love is not just proclaimed but practiced.”
11 comments:
Oh, wow! Oh, wow! Thanks be to God!
Finally saw that news just now (was working late).
Happy about the vote, and just "tweeted" as much.
Congratulations
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
This is awesome
tears of joy
heart humming with thanks here
David@Montreal
Susan,
What is the next step?
To remove a little dark cloud from over the parade, 99-45-2 is not "nearly 2 to 1" but "better than 2 to 1" Indeed, if the two abstentions had been 'no's, it would still have been better than 2 to 1.
Praise Jesus!
You were right!
No chance you pick horses, is there?
:-)
Now this is a church I can be proud to call home! Since the Episcopal Church really does welcome me, I will be inviting all my friends!
Thanks be to God.
Amen. Ba-wo. Amen. Ba-wo!
And thanks be to the people of Integrity, especially all the communications experts and volunteers from so many diocese! And to you, our tireless (ha!) leader!
Amen sia-kudu-misa!
I happily eat crow regarding my prediction of HOB foot dragging. Now I'm willing to volunteer for the Theology Committee's "study" of same-gendered relationships. Does it come with free massages?
This is a really exciting development! Despite what you might hear from the CofE at the moment, know that you've got plenty of supporters "across the pond" and I wish so much I could be part of TEC's journey...
Amen, sia-kudu-misa!
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