From this week's Episcopal News Update:Episcopalians of widely varied opinions gather to discuss House of Bishops meeting
by Janet Kawamoto
A wide range of viewpoints and reactions to the recent meeting and statement of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church was expressed by attendees at a meeting of clergy and laity hosted Oct. 2 at the Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda.
The bishops of Los Angeles-J. Jon Bruno, Chester Talton, Robert Anderson and Sergio Carranza-talked about their experiences at the House of Bishops meeting, held Sept. 20-25 in New Orleans, and then opened the floor for questions and comments.
Several attendees spoke in opposition to the statement released by the bishops at the end of the New Orleans meeting, but the opposition came both from gay and lesbian Episcopalians and their advocates, and from conservative church members. In different ways, the speakers made it clear that they felt alienated and disenfranchised by recent actions of the Episcopal Church.
Other speakers thanked the bishops for refusing to step back from their commitment to full inclusion for gay and lesbian Episcopalians in the Church, but some deplored the language that "clarified" the General Convention 2006 Resolution B033-a last-minute compromise that pleased few deputies or bishops---by making it clear that gay and lesbian Episcopalians are the primary persons whose "manner of life presents a challenge to the wider Church" as diocese elect new bishops.
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan D. Williams attended the House of Bishops meeting, as did several members of the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates' Council of Advice. Bishop Bruno said that the Archbishop spoke to the House, chiding its members for past actions of The Episcopal Church in approving the election of Gene Robinson, who is openly gay and living with his partner, and not stopping the blessing of same-sex unions in spite of opposition for other Anglican churches around the world.
Although the bishops listened respectfully, Bruno said that he was one of the first to the microphone to respond---and, he said, Archbishop Williams was not particularly pleased by what he heard.
"We stood up and told him exactly what we thought," said Bruno.
It was clear, the bishops said, that Williams did not understand the polity of the Episcopal Church, in which General Convention, not the House of Bishops, holds authority over matters of doctrine, discipline and worship. He was urging the bishops, Bruno said, to take actions that they had no power to take.
After a period of discussion, Williams apologized for his words. "He did listen," said Bruno, who expressed his admiration for Williams' learning and intelligence. "He is a great man, and we were 100 percent respectful."
After their three-day session with the Archbishop, the bishops continued to work, although several conservative bishops-Jack Iker of Fort Worth, Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, and Keith Ackerman of Quincy (Massachusetts)---left at the conclusion of the conversation with Williams to attend a Pittsburgh meeting of bishops who are attempting to forge a new Anglican presence in the United States (see story below). The remaining bishops continued to talk: "The discussion was more in depth," said Bruno.
A committee of bishops, including Bruno, worked on a draft document that was eventually refined and submitted to the House, along with a number of other drafts from other bishops.
The four bishops also expressed their appreciation of the opportunity to do relief work in the Katrina-devastated parts of New Orleans. "It was very inspiring to go into a community that's been devastated, being with people who lost everything," Bishop Anderson said.
"We met a woman with very lively eyes," he said. They were Gospel eyes. She told us, 'We lost everything, but it's the best thing that ever happened to me.'"
The bishops also thanked the Nixon Library and its director, the Rev. John Taylor, who is also vicar of St. John Chrysostom Church in Rancho Santa Margarita, for hosting the meeting in the recently completed "East Room."
More about the October 2 meeting will be published on the Episcopal News website in coming days.
9 comments:
Correction: +Keith Ackerman is Bishop of the Diocese of Quincy, in Illinois. Maligning the good name of the city of Quincy, Massachusetts, just won't do!
Will there be another meeting for those who do not have the option of taking a weekday off?
Steve
No, sadly. And the fact that you could hardly have picked a less accessible time or location for wide participation. It was, however, a step forward as most previous such meetings have been "clergy gatherings" and this one expressly invited lay folk as well.
What did Abp. Williams ask the HoB to do that was beyond their power?
They certainly have the power to prevent sexually active homosexual bishops from being ordained; and, in fact, they have agreed to do just that.
They have the power to prevent the blessing of same-sex relationships by the clergy in their Dioceses (at least the Ordinaries among them do), although they ignored the fact that this is what they are being asked to do and have said that at this point there is no official liturgy for the same.
I actually don't know. I'm not baiting here. What did Abp. Williams ask of the HoB that they are not empowered to do?
What were they asked?
To tell the truth.
Example: Bruno insisted that he had no participation in any SSBs. Yet photos are found of him at the very thing he denies.
How do you know any bishops are homosexually active? Have you asked them what they do in bed?
Honestly! The preoccupation with what others do with their genitals hardly reflects well upon some people here.
But we know it's not just sexually active, even celibates are opposed. It's simply the fact of being gay you don't like.
Opposition to gays is the defining characteristic of Christianity, according to many young people, and an increasing percentage of them have a negative view of Christianity as a result. Out of the mouths of babes...
IT
Some young people also have an aversion to reasonable debt, community responsibility, marriage, raising children, and caring for aging parents. If they are "negative" about Christianity it might be because it requires more attention than they are willing to give.
The subject wasn't Bruno's sexuality. It was his denial to the New York Times that he had knowledge of any Same Sex Blessings in his diocese. Yet there is a widely circulated photo of him standing as officiant over such a ceremony. He was called on the lie and continued to tell it.
Cults use lies to ingrain their truth. Why can't the truth just be told. As Archbishop Mouneer urged: just have the courage of your convictions and if necessary face the consequences.
Hasn't happened.
How do you know any bishops are homosexually active?
Well, in Bp. Robinson's case, because he announced it and has praised it.
And unless I'm mistaken we also have a candidate for Bishop here in the Diocese of Chicago who has stated as part of her official biography that she is in such a relationship.
No, you know they are partnered and gay. You have no idea what they do in bed together.
I must say, the anonymous conservatives posting their revulsion here do a fine job of showing why a large fraction of gay people will never identify as Christian. Of course, if Christianity is a purity cult, as the conservatives say it is, I wonder anyone is pure enough for them.
IT
Post a Comment