The problem with these revisions is that to say it is about relationship and reconciliation is nice, but as you point out #1 Biblical Reconciliation is another thing. It is important to note that while decisions are not to be made capriciously they are at the discretion of those who investigate and make the decisions. Thus, any criticism of TEC can and will be used against you and these revisions make it easier to do so. There is no longer abandonment of the Communion but rather the abandonment of TEC. This clearly makes it so that if you leave the EC for another Province it is grounds for defrockment, immediately. Plus, read these revisions carefully. The American concept of innocent until proven guilty is gone. One is presumed guilty and must prove your innocence. Plus, you must hire your own attorney and the reality is that most clergy cannot afford such. The power rest in the process and will be decided by the beliefs of the Bishop and those elected to all the various committees. If these are lead by reappraisers and the clergy person is a reasserter than a fair process is unlikely.
If these pass, then these revisions will be used against Traditional Bishops, Priests, and deacons to make them comply with the political and social agenda of TEC.
These revision pave the way for a new inquisition.
#2, I believe you are incorrect that there is no presumption of innocence. IV.19 of the proposed canons includes:
Sec. 16 There shall be a presumption that the Respondent did not commit the Offense. The standard of proof required to find an Offense by a Respondent shall be that of a preponderance of the evidence.
Sec. 17 In all matters under this Title, it shall be the burden of the Church through the Church Attorney to establish an Offense by any Respondent.
The part of this that I think is the most interesting is that it provides an explicit definition for the doctrine of the Episcopal Church:
Doctrine shall mean the basic and essential teachings of the Church and is to be found in the Canon of Holy Scripture as understood in the Apostles and Nicene Creeds and in the sacramental rites, the Ordinal and Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer.
…which means among other things that the Catechism included in the BCP is now binding. That being said, the procedure for bringing charges against a bishop on grounds of violating doctrine makes it very difficult to actually convict them.
For what it is worth (which is to say, nothing) what is Biblical reconciliation? Does scripture give us a roadmap? Do we even care if it does?
The problem with these revisions is that to say it is about relationship and reconciliation is nice, but as you point out #1 Biblical Reconciliation is another thing. It is important to note that while decisions are not to be made capriciously they are at the discretion of those who investigate and make the decisions. Thus, any criticism of TEC can and will be used against you and these revisions make it easier to do so. There is no longer abandonment of the Communion but rather the abandonment of TEC. This clearly makes it so that if you leave the EC for another Province it is grounds for defrockment, immediately. Plus, read these revisions carefully. The American concept of innocent until proven guilty is gone. One is presumed guilty and must prove your innocence. Plus, you must hire your own attorney and the reality is that most clergy cannot afford such. The power rest in the process and will be decided by the beliefs of the Bishop and those elected to all the various committees. If these are lead by reappraisers and the clergy person is a reasserter than a fair process is unlikely.
If these pass, then these revisions will be used against Traditional Bishops, Priests, and deacons to make them comply with the political and social agenda of TEC.
These revision pave the way for a new inquisition.
You have been warned.
#2, I believe you are incorrect that there is no presumption of innocence. IV.19 of the proposed canons includes:
The part of this that I think is the most interesting is that it provides an explicit definition for the doctrine of the Episcopal Church:
…which means among other things that the Catechism included in the BCP is now binding. That being said, the procedure for bringing charges against a bishop on grounds of violating doctrine makes it very difficult to actually convict them.