In my view, the election of Rev. Glasspool will fuel these power struggles:
1. Between Episcopal pragmatic traditionalists and the left wing on whether her election should be affirmed by the national church. (A majority of US dioceses must approve of this move and are likely to grant approval in this case.)
2. Between Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and TEC Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori regarding the future relationship between the American church and global Anglicanism. (Conservatives will now press more aggressively for ABC Williams to recognize the Anglican Church of North America. Church of England conservatives are also putting great pressure of Williams to hold the line.)
3. Among conservatives who remain inside the American church and the growing number of breakaway leaders. (There are still a sizable number of conservative/evangelical pastors and other leaders inside TEC — mostly in suburban areas. These conservatives face the dilemma of what to do beyond verbal criticism of this action in Los Angeles.)
C’mon, this was inevitable. What’s with all the shock and outrage? It must either be feigned or deriving from those who haven’t kept up with TEC matters. I consider Ms Glasspool’s confirmation to be inevitable. If she’s turned down by a majority of bishops and/or standing committees I’ll consider it a true miracle of God.
Ah, all about power. Does anyone really care?
Not much, anymore, I think. Except when it comes to imposition on one’s conscience and leaving behind preaching stations for heresy.
I can’t believe there is all this shock and dismay. It was going to happen and is pretty much on schedule. And power? Those who would protest this lost 5 years ago. There is no power to be lost here.
Agreed, Brother.
The power contest is between the cause of justice for partnered lesbians and the cause of fellowship with those who think that the nominee has made a bad behavioral choice. There are a number of other choices implied in a vote either to confirm or not to confirn.
I almost feel like people want us to be shocked and dismayed because they get energy off it. The whole thing is rather like watching a dead animal decompose. A foot or tail may still look fairly well intact but time will take its toll. There was a time when an openly gay priest was ordained in New York and it seemed far away from me and my parish…but that was then and this was now.
Why is it outrageous that a lesbian was elected bishop but not outrageous that a lesbian was ordained a priest and then appointed canon? Why isn’t it outrageous that there are so many glbt partnered priests to be nominated for these positions. A glbt priesbyterate leads inevitably to a glbt episcopate.
And therein is revealed that our bishops have been plotting this for decades, flling the ranks with glbt persons for such a time as this.
This was all decided long ago. It’s nothing new at all.
Razorback, you are right of course. The CoE is currently discovering this about women priests knocking on the stained glass ceiling. They also have a substantial number of gay presbyters.
Because of the nature of our church, where theology is never preached, the bishops were able to completely change the church while the laity remained unaware. Even at this late date, much of the laity is still unaware.
What A Senior Priest wrote.
I really do ask this in all honesty – there is no snark in this question: If one Is orthodox/conservative/traditional, what is the point of remaining an Episcopalian? That which you believe is not believed by those with whom you are technically in communion. Thus, you cannot with honesty say you are in communion with them at all. They will not change or relent. So why do you maintain the illusion of sacramental unity?
Well, Bernini, to start I haven’t met any jurisdiction with which I agree which doesn’t also have a lot of things I question. Example: from time to time I’ve gotten offers placed on the table to be an Orthodox priest. When that happens, my wife asks with her usual focus…’And how much are they paying?” As many know, the old saying in Orthodoxy obtains, ‘The Greeks pay but don’t pray, the Russians pray but don’t pay.” And besides, gay bishops isn’t something one can avoid by becoming Orthodox, not by a long shot. And then there’s the ACNA. Good, solid, a bit protty in places, pukka AC in others (Quincy, Ft Worth). But to jump to there would entail controversy, publicity, conflict, leaving behind about a third of my people (one of my largest considerations). Rome is out since that would require unacceptable sacrifice on the part of my theological principals, and on the part of my wife and children. That’s the problem, Bernini- as clergy my position is very complex. If I were a lay person? Well then, I’d be SO outta there, unless there was not an equally good or better alternative to my local TEC parish which is solidly orthodox Anglican, deeply committed spiritually, and has a wonderful community. Then, I’d stay. As a matter of fact that’s the real reason why I do.
Jesus said ‘follow me’, Senior- he did not pay nor wait for people’s excuses. If ECUSA has abandoned the faith – as seems clear- it is surely a Christian duty to leave. Else you give credence to all that is going on.
What Bernini wrote.