Lots of detail and comments from bishops in this — recommended reading.
Summarizing the days work as drawing from their experience with the poor and displaced in New Orleans, the Episcopal News Service reports that Mondays work in forming a statement to the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion was guided by “solidarity with the disenfranchised.”
The Rev. Patricia McCaughan writes the following for the Episcopal News Service:
Bishops suggested strengthening language regarding the incursion of overseas bishops into dioceses other than their own, and dividing the lengthy draft into two separate documents. One text would deal specifically with hurricane relief and the other with the response to the Primates’ communiqué issued in February.
Bishop Charles Jenkins of Louisiana and numerous others suggested that a statement be developed to highlight the need for justice work in all dioceses on issues such as racism, classism, as well as the failed response for hurricane victims. Another document would deal with the response to the February Primates’ communiqué.
Bishop Mark Hollingsworth, Jr. of Ohio said “Resolution B033 is the most honest expression of where the Episcopal Church stands” while
asking to clarify language about the blessing of same-gender unions. B033 called for the exercise of restraint when consecrating bishops “whose manner of life” presents a challenge to the wider communion.
Bishop J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles also said that the resolution needs to be clearer in saying “that we’re going to abide by the decisions of General Convention.”
The full story is here. We’ll post the link for the ENS story when we find it online
Bruno says we’re going to “abide by the decisions” of General Convention and yet TEC pretends that it is hierarchical. Does anyone see the irony in a church that makes decisions by convention (in democratic fashion) suing dissenting parishes in court on the basis of being hierarchical. What a farce and judges who abet this farce are either ignorant or tools of a liberal agenda.
This is one thing that really should be pointed out in the upcoming lawsuits. I hope someone is saving every reference bishops make to being unable to make any decisions in their hierarchical church.