I was asked at a dinner party why I had not made a comment about the new ”˜Anglican’ province being formed in North America and claiming 100,000 members. I really don’t have anything to add to what I have already said. The Archbishop of Canterbury has met, eaten and prayed with some of the leading schismatics and appears to be open to the process of this new province seeking recognition through formal channels. Martyn Minns, the Nigerian bishop, originally from Nottingham, England, now residing in New Jersey, has made some comments to the effect that the new province really doesn’t need to operate according to the rules of an English charity (under which the Anglican Consultative Council operates), and suggests that the Archbishop of Canterbury would ”˜clarify’ things for Anglicans if he would get behind this innovation. I’m tired of it all and continue to suspect that The Episcopal Church will continue to be marginalized, –or at least those parts of the church that are willing to move beyond tolerance of GLBT people to affirmation.
“I’m tired of it all and continue to suspect that The Episcopal Church will continue to be marginalized, –or at least those parts of the church that are willing to move beyond tolerance of GLBT people to affirmation.” Yes, Rev. Hoare, we’re ALL getting tired of it, and we sincerely hope that TEC will just be honest, embrace what it believes the “Spirit” is calling it to do and deal with the consequences of its “prophetic” actions, and we can all move on. What’s really tiring is all the TEC whining about being “marginalized” while you’re busy deposing bishops and suing people! This doesn’t make your actions seem so prophetic just pathetic. If you want to be prophetic, embrace your new theology, own it, preach it, and be prepared to live with the consequences, but please stop whining about being “marginalized”!
The thing that struck me was the remark, “While I applaud the programmatic concerns of the [Anglican observer] office, what really excites me about that work is that we are providing a voice for the poor in the councils of the United Nations.” Apparently, the first thing that voice found to say was that TEC was reducing financial support for the MDGs in its budget in order to fund more lawsuits against the orthodox. Well, I’m sure it’s the thought that counts, but I fail to see what is so exciting about that. I suppose things must look different at Atlanta dinner parties than New York ones. Now don’t get me wrong, there is precious little voice for the poor in the UN, true. The Vatican and the Bush Administration were probably what little real voice they had. (I am not a Republican, by the way, but even Bono has acknowledged this. I hope the Obama Administration will continue the Bush efforts in Africa in particular.)
“I’m tired of it all and continue to suspect that The Episcopal Church will continue to be marginalized, –or at least those parts of the church that are willing to move beyond tolerance of GLBT people to affirmation.”
(Susan Russell)”The Episcopal Church is poised to end up on the right side of salvation history on this one. Stay tuned.”
When TEC is this certain of its’ understanding that the word “Salvation” means full inclusion but not the need for personal Holiness (sanctification) then it should realize that it is actually marginalizing itself. It is like the bully on the playground who is socially rejected and clueless as to why this is.
I can’t help but note the same remark concerning GLBT affirmation. I would very much appreciate a explanation as to the theological underpinnings of the “transgendered” lifestyle, a lifestyle that by it’s very definition rejects the image of God in one’s body. It essentially accuses God of making a mistake. How can TEC be on “the right side of history” on this one?
So ECUSA is to be put on the margins of what? Not on the margins of its own power! It’s Not Done to whine about the consequences of the denomination exerting its independence.
“At the same time it is around the Lord’s Table that the Catholicity of the Church is most manifest…”
Well, someone tell me how SSB’s and the consecration and/or ordination of practicing homosexuals does not violate the “catholicity” of the Church. Every AC edict and Communique since 2003 thinks it does.
So, Mr. Hoare, even though I realize that you drank the Kool-Aid a long time ago, calling Martyn Minns, Bob Duncan and co. “schismatic” is truly the pot calling the kettle. Pull that log out of your own eye, first…