The thing that has troubled me most as I have reflected on the Episcopal Church’s General Convention is the number of bishops who voted against D025 (electing gay bishops), but who were deluded enough to vote for C056 (same-sex blessings).
Consider the two operative clauses that these bishops would have had to overlook or misconstrue to vote for C056:
Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consulation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological, and liturgical resources and design liturgies and report to the 77th General Convention; for further action”¦
Bishops should not have been fooled by the fact that the words “ and design liturgies” were struck from the final form of this resolution.
Even if only the word “collect” had been used, it would have been sufficient to allow for the development of liturgies for same sex unions, because you can’t collect something that does not exist. But as it is, it says “collect and develop theological and liturgical resources”. How much of their own money would these gullible bishops be willing to bet that these “liturgical resources” won’t actually include some rites that can be (or have been!!!) used to bless same sex unions?
This is the cumulative effect of years of lies and deceptions building upon each other — words no longer have any particular meaning and therefore can mean anything. E.g. (Sam) “Have a blessed morning John”! (John) “What did I ever do to you?”) .
I do not think the writer is giving our bishops credit for the hard work and cooperative process that brought C056 into being and into being to overwhelmingly adopted. I believe they knew exactly what they were voting for … and that the clarity and transparency of the processes at Anaheim are going to do nothing but bode well for how we move forward in mission in spite of differences.
Of course you get full credit for that, Ms Russell.
There is generally more “clarity and transparency” once the opposition has been liquidated. Ask any Kulak.
“Hard work and cooperative process” easily has absolutely nothing to do with the Holy Spirit.
But that’s always the case when theology is done by nothing more developed than majority-vote.