[blockquote]Our prayers are for the unity of the church as we work to proclaim the gospel message of Jesus Chris.[/blockquote]
Apparently, the bishops in Niagara are not aware that “the things we do say more about what we believe, than what we say we believe.”
It is absurd for them to think that they can “pray for unit,” all while engaging in actions which are divisive. And what if, in “praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” the answer is “NO!” ?
Of course, they’ve already formed their conclusions as to how this should play out, Holy Spirit or no Holy Spirit.
Since General Synod already pronounced on this issue last summer, it is clear that revisionists will be allowed to break faith and act contrary to GS (and be congratulated in the name of “justice”) while the good Bp Harvey will be crucified as a law breaker. Is anyone surprised?
The reality is that the diocese begins annd ends with the bishop – GS has no power to tell a bishop what he or she can consent to or not. Or have we forgotten + Michael Ingham?
This is the same reality that has been evoked by +Iker in this post [http://http://new.kendallharmon.net/wp-content/uploads/index.php/t19/article/7720/] when he says “… I must object to the claim that the Presiding Bishop has any canonical authority in this Diocese or any legitimate power over the leadership of this Diocese,” regarding Schiori’s demands. And I agree with him completely.
The real issue here is the continuous disregard of bishops here in Canada for their vows to uphold the Solemn Declaration and the doctrine and discipline of Chrsit as this church (ACC) has recieved it. Who cares what general synod says? What about Scripture? What about church tradition? What about what they have said in their vows at ordination and consecration?
Their prayers for unity must go something like, “God, please let there be unity in the Church, but please don’t force us do anything to make that happen.” Or perhaps, “God, please let our opponents come to agree with us, so that there might be unity in the Church.”
That reminds me of the quote from “Anne of a Thousand Days” where Richard Burton as Henry VIII states:
“I have prayed to God that only the things HE wants me to think will be in my mind. Since we know God answers prayer, anything I think or decide must therefore be guided by Him. So I cannot be acting out of His will.”
(I had to paraphrase, but I’m sure that’s pretty close).
My 2¢ worth:
[blockquote] Our prayers are for the unity of the church as we work to… [/blockquote] undo everything that the Archbishop of Canterbury has been trying to accomplish.
“Our prayers are for the unity of the church as we work to… ” get everyone who doesn’t agree with us to leave so that there are only those who agree with us in the Church and we will have unity. (/sarcasm)
If you want unity, then why not follow the “instruments of unity?”
[i]We restate our commitment to respecting and honouring those clergy within our diocese who, because of their theological opposition or as a matter of conscience, cannot agree with the blessing of same sex unions.[/i]
That, my friends, is a bald faced lie. Please pray for the Rev. Cannon Charlie Masters, who has been summoned by the same bishop who wrote that letter. Obviously, Fr. Charlie’s conscience isn’t worth respecting…
[blockquote]Our prayers are for the unity of the church as we work to proclaim the gospel message of Jesus Chris.[sic][/blockquote]
When one considers what is transpiring south of the Canadian border over the issue, this statement is completely delusional.
[blockquote]Our prayers are for the unity of the church as we work to proclaim the gospel message of Jesus Chris.[/blockquote]
Apparently, the bishops in Niagara are not aware that “the things we do say more about what we believe, than what we say we believe.”
It is absurd for them to think that they can “pray for unit,” all while engaging in actions which are divisive. And what if, in “praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” the answer is “NO!” ?
Of course, they’ve already formed their conclusions as to how this should play out, Holy Spirit or no Holy Spirit.
Since General Synod already pronounced on this issue last summer, it is clear that revisionists will be allowed to break faith and act contrary to GS (and be congratulated in the name of “justice”) while the good Bp Harvey will be crucified as a law breaker. Is anyone surprised?
The reality is that the diocese begins annd ends with the bishop – GS has no power to tell a bishop what he or she can consent to or not. Or have we forgotten + Michael Ingham?
This is the same reality that has been evoked by +Iker in this post [http://http://new.kendallharmon.net/wp-content/uploads/index.php/t19/article/7720/] when he says “… I must object to the claim that the Presiding Bishop has any canonical authority in this Diocese or any legitimate power over the leadership of this Diocese,” regarding Schiori’s demands. And I agree with him completely.
The real issue here is the continuous disregard of bishops here in Canada for their vows to uphold the Solemn Declaration and the doctrine and discipline of Chrsit as this church (ACC) has recieved it. Who cares what general synod says? What about Scripture? What about church tradition? What about what they have said in their vows at ordination and consecration?
Their prayers for unity must go something like, “God, please let there be unity in the Church, but please don’t force us do anything to make that happen.” Or perhaps, “God, please let our opponents come to agree with us, so that there might be unity in the Church.”
That reminds me of the quote from “Anne of a Thousand Days” where Richard Burton as Henry VIII states:
“I have prayed to God that only the things HE wants me to think will be in my mind. Since we know God answers prayer, anything I think or decide must therefore be guided by Him. So I cannot be acting out of His will.”
(I had to paraphrase, but I’m sure that’s pretty close).
Peace!
Jim Elliott <><
My 2¢ worth:
[blockquote] Our prayers are for the unity of the church as we work to… [/blockquote] undo everything that the Archbishop of Canterbury has been trying to accomplish.
Oh, please. How can they write that letter after having written ?
Hokay, that didn’t work. The link I was trying to embed is this:
http://www.niagara.anglican.ca/bishopStaff/bishopsletter0711.cfm
“Our prayers are for the unity of the church as we work to… ” get everyone who doesn’t agree with us to leave so that there are only those who agree with us in the Church and we will have unity. (/sarcasm)
If you want unity, then why not follow the “instruments of unity?”
YBIC,
Phil Snyder
[i]We restate our commitment to respecting and honouring those clergy within our diocese who, because of their theological opposition or as a matter of conscience, cannot agree with the blessing of same sex unions.[/i]
That, my friends, is a bald faced lie. Please pray for the Rev. Cannon Charlie Masters, who has been summoned by the same bishop who wrote that letter. Obviously, Fr. Charlie’s conscience isn’t worth respecting…