Bishop J. Neil Alexander, who leads the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, which includes some 55,000 members in 96 congregations in Middle and North Georgia, told Northeast Cobb Patch, “The Episcopal Church’s General Convention has not approved rites for same-sex blessings, although it has encouraged bishops and clergy to give appropriate pastoral care to gay and lesbian people. In the Episcopal Church our pastoral care is ritually rooted. This is why liturgies exist for various circumstances, such as ministering to the sick and taking communion to people in the hospital.”
(The) Reverend Paul McCabe, Rector at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, said, “Bishop Talton has not deviated from what we are already doing in the Episcopal Church, that is to say, he has not advocated liturgy for same sex marriages, he has only stated that priests may bless individuals who are in same sex civil unions. Blessings then, are prayers for individuals who are seeking pastoral responses to their relationships and relationships they may be involved in. Prayers for all of God’s children is what we are called to do, prayers which means we don’t pick and choose who deserves them or not.”
So if sosmeone is involved in an incestuous relationship and requests prayer for it, they should receive prayer just like anyone else. Give me a break.
It’s still [b]WRONG![/b]
That’s nothing new. Isn’t it Calif. where they are blessing same sex unions, “common-law” unions, and any “committed long term relationship?”
(I’m away from my own computer so can’t find which diocese is doing this.)
This is the faux Diocese of San Joaquin in Central California. Those of us in the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin view Bishop Talton’s decisions to bless all manner of unions as anathema, as I imagine most readers of this blog would agree.
Recall that the Bp of Mass, in tangerine vestments, recently presided at the “marriage” of 2 female homosexuals.
For Seattle, [url=http://www.saintmarks.org/Worship/Marriage/weddings.php]take a look here[/url]. Be sure to download and read the marriage booklet (if you don’t have a weak stomach).
Remember Bp Talton came from the Dio of LA with Bruno.
Pastoral care is not simply making people feel happy by listening to them and then doing what they ask. Pastoral care can also include what Paul did when he wrote to the Christians in Galatia: “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” Pastoral care always points to the Cross as our sole means of being forgiven and included into the house of God.
Deacon Francie, you are so [b]right![/b] And I’m quite certain that Christ Himself would agree.
[blockquote]So if sosmeone is involved in an incestuous relationship and requests prayer for it, they should receive prayer just like anyone else. Give me a break.[/blockquote]
I would glady give them prayers. Prayers for deliverance.