This General Convention action is unbiblical, unchristian, unanglican and unseemly. It will further wreak havoc among Anglicans, and indeed Christians, in North America and around the world.
By making this decision, The Episcopal Church moves further away from Jesus Christ and his teaching. It thereby makes it necessary for the diocese of South Carolina to take further decisive and dramatic action to distance itself from this false step.
We in South Carolina must differentiate to stay loyal to Christ, but also to keep our own parish members and not hinder the mission of Jesus Christ who loves all and transforms all by the power of the Holy Spirit to holiness of life, a holiness which has a clear shape agreed by Christians East and West throughout 20 centuries.
–The Rev. Canon Dr. Kendall Harmon is Canon Theologian for the Diocese of South Carolina and convenor of this blog (and he makes this statement for himself)
Thank you, and amen. Lord have mercy on us all.
Shades of Romans, Ch 1. It appears that the Lord is obligingly giving them enough rope (generous pastoral response) with which to hang themselves. Lord have mercy on them and me!
IHSV,
NW Bob
To see the denomination to which I belonged for 30 years come to this makes a grown man cry, namely me.
NW Bob
Northwest Bob I could not agree more. I just wonder when it will finally hit them that they have brought destruction to the Episcopal Church. We know what South Carolina will do, I hope we learn soon what other orthodox Bishops and people will do. I wish I lived in a diocese bold enough to stand up against this madness.
Northwest Bob – God bless.
Awesome, Kendall — thanks for your clarity.
Northwest Bob-I cried too. What now?
I cannot understand why the Chair was not asked to defend the constitutionality of a category called ‘provisional rite’ over against the plain sense of Art. X of the Constitution. I am disappointed the Bishops did not raise this issue, and that the Deputies also went a different direction.
If the argument is that ‘provisional’ is better than ‘trial’ because its fate is therefore less clear, a) its fate is probably never unclear and will not prove so, b) Art. X is our friend, written by those who value the BCP and its letter/rubrics, c) it would be good to show ‘provisional rites’ to be constitutional outliers by having the Chair called on the question.
No one doubted that something called ‘provisional rites’ would pass. It would have been good to have emotional supporters of Gay Marriage be fully apprised that what was passed was designedly crafted so it would not be marriage, and that lacking that, it would be neither marriage nor even a ‘trial rite’ — because a supermajority was not available to be deployed.
The entire ‘debate’ was ill informed about what was actually happening in terms of our agreed common life.
All,
Just copied this from the Diocese’s (SC) General Convention FB page.
No surprises here but for the record here is how the deputation feels at the moment. I don’t know if the link will come through but how they feel is crystal clear.
S.C. Deputation Statement
July 10, 2012
It is with heavy hearts that Bishop Mark Lawrence and the South Carolina deputation to General Convention must report the final passage and adoption of Resolution A049, [url=https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.generalconvention.org/resolutions/download/115-1338396719&ei=dbn8T-71Oon3sgbq-8DOBQ&sa=X&oi=unauthorizedredirect&ct=targetlink&ust=1341964413968075&usg=AFQjCNFkFGXyHI-aq29a4lFKkGROS90Zvw] (link to resolution) [/url] the Resolution to Authorize Liturgical Resources for Blessing Same-Gender Relationships. Our deputation, in voting against its passage, remains united and unanimous in our support of the historic understanding of “the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ as this Church has received them.†In the debate prior to the vote being taken, we spoke in favor of the minority report authored and presented by the Very Rev. David Thurlow. The Standing Committee of the Diocese of South Carolina, in its statement of June 15 has articulated the clear position of our diocese on marriage. The South Carolina deputation wholeheartedly endorses that position. We grieve that General Convention has further departed from these values and adopted a resolution to permit pastoral license to violate the existing canons on marriage. We believe this decision will seriously wound the Church and ask to you join is in prayers for God’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
The Rt. Rev. Mark J. Lawrence
The Very Rev. John Burwell
The Rev. Canon Jim Lewis
The Very Rev. David Thurlow
Reid Boylston
Lydia Evans
Lonnie Hamilton
Elizabeth (Boo) Pennewill
Good statement Kendall+
Praying for you and DioSC and all orthodox in TEC that God will encourage and strengthen your hearts, give you His boldness and wisdom in knowing how to differentiate.
He is faithful and He is STILL on the throne.
BTW, a commenter posted at SF a statement posted to the Diocese SC Facebook page by Bp Lawrence and the entire deputation in unanimous opposition to this action.
MUST READING:
http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/sf/page/29103/comment-sf/#484985
I hope other dioceses and deputies will have the courage to also take very clear stands announcing their opposition.
Oops never mind should have scrolled down the page myself. Anyway. it is posted here as well.
I agree with Kendall’s statement wholeheartedly !!!
Canon Harmon,
Well and soundly stated. May our LORD richly bless, guide, and defend all in DioSC!
Does anyone have a link to how each deputation voted?
Greater differentiation is certainly required. These sickos fail the “babysitter test.”
You wouldn’t trust these pervs to watch your children for you out of your sight. How can you break bread with them as “fellow brothers?”
DIFFERENTIATION!!!!
Bill+ (St. Andrew’s, Fort Worth)
I always felt like we in the Diocese of SC could stay in TEC and be a beacon of hope to other orthodox Christians in more liberal dioceses. But now, I feel we must leave. From The Great Litany: From all false doctrine, heresy, and SCHISM; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and commandment, Good Lord, deliver us.
OK, I just clicked the link to the Diocese of SC website where this was posted. On the left is a “remarriage application.” Just out of curiousity I opened it. It’s something a priest is supposed to fill out and submit before he marries someone who still has a living spouse from whom they are civilly divorced. It says something like “did you provide them with an opportunity for repentance for the failure of their prevous marriage? Why do you think this marriage will succeed when the first one didn’t?” Jesus says “he who puts away his wife and takes another commits adultery.” There is some question whether or not this applies in a situation of infidelity but in 2,000 years it has never ever been interpreted to mean “he who puts away his wife without really really repenting of it and learning a good lesson not to be repeated in the future commits adultery.” So, what we’ve got here, is a form for the rite for the blessing of an adulterous relationship. I’m not trying to be offensive here, but for the life of me, that’s exactly what it is. Now you can talk about how the Catholic Church gets around the problem with annulment, etc. etc. but that’s really not the point. The point is this — once you start having rites for the blessing of adulterous relationships, where logically do you think you’re going to end up? My heart bleeds for faithful Episcopalians, but they need to seriously think about how far they have already compromised with the culture.
JT, true. We can see the change we made when horribly out-numbered. I saw all the tweets from liberals saying that the orthodox were “stalling”. If all we are going to do is stall, that means things will move even further to the left with greater speed each time we meet down the road. There wasn’t enough gravity for the liberals after we had fallen off the voting cliff!
While I don’t expect whole dioceses to leave again, I do expect a lot of people who have hung on and maybe whole churches just walk away leaving the keys in the door.
Could not agree with you more Fr. Bill. I’m missing Fort Worth a lot right now.
THANK YOU, Catholic Mom. We have the actual words of Jesus on this matter, but when is the last time you heard of a priest or bishop refusing to preside over a second marriage on scriptural grounds? It’s really the log in our eye on this issue.
RE: “We have the actual words of Jesus on this matter . . . ”
Heh — and we do for sex acts between two men too — it’s encompassed in his clear denunciation of porneia.
RE: “It’s really the log in our eye on this issue.”
“Our” meaning . . . ??? Conservative Episcopalians? ; > )
Then it should be “It’s really the log in *their* eye on this issue” . . . which doesn’t have [i]quite[/i] the same ring to it.
Are we talking church weddings vs. courthouse weddings also?
Isa 52:11 Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.
Kendall,
Could you tell us how you/we really feel? 72 years, plus three prior generations on both sides of my family, and now, this!
From our Psalm readings tonite, “God is much to be feared in the council of the (holy ones), great and terrible to all those round about him”. 89:7 NRSV. (Emphasis mine)
Well this is certainly the end of the world. Forget about anything else evil.
Such a sad day for those few orthodox Christians that remain in TEC. This decision was so obviously coming, along with many more…that’s why F.W., Pitts., S.J., and Quin., along with numerous congregations and individuals, have left over the last 30 years.
Personal choice ( that is felt by the most ) is a hard thing. I really feel for you, Chip.
[Comment deleted by Elf – comments soliciting, encouraging or instructing readers to leave or join any church are not permitted at T19 – guests from other churches are particularly requested to observe these rules and not to make matters worse – thank you]
RE: “The end is here, the denouement that anyone who has observed the cultural Left for more than a week could have told you was your fate if you did nothing.”
Goodness me — Brutus is telling us things that we nevah evah talked about here on this blog over the past 10 years. What a maestro of discernment he is and how we all prostrate ourselves before his wisdom. ; > )
RE: “There is your choice.”
[yawn, smack smack]
Add a bit more stained-glass quaver to your voice and you may have something there.
We pray and stay close to others that feel the pain we feel.
Tell me I uttered a word of untruth, Sarah.
Uh yeh, yeh you did. The three main points you made, albeit slathered up with masses of lard, are inaccurate.
But mostly around 200 words of stunning irrelevance and drama-queening.
But, you know . . . it’s a familiar tone, somehow . . . goodness me, I wonder who it could be?
And we continue to groan inwardly…
I await the specifics of my inaccuracies.
RE: “I await the specifics of my inaccuracies.”
Nah — why would I want to engage with the Quavering Stained-Glass Voice? ; > ) The QSGV has made assertions. I’ve asserted otherwise, and that’s all that’s needed, since neither of us are remotely interested in convincing the other of anything at all.
And anybody can read for themselves, pick out the three points from the dreck and come up with their own conclusions.
Worry not, Brutus. The vast majority feel your thoughts.
RE: “The vast majority feel your thoughts.”
Now now . . . it’s “think your feelings!”
; > )
Sarah, I am so sorry “you” lost another bridge. You stood and fought so well!
Well, I think I can safely say “QED” given the outcome of GC2012. It won’t be long before diocese with the slightest whiff of orthodoxy are targeted by 815 and their activist allies. The revisionists know that the orthodox have to be purged, and they won’t be shy about going about it. The orthodox should have realized it, too, but they internalized too much of the revisionist line. Now you’ll pay for it.
Elves, I realize now I made a mistake in returning, however briefly. I will log out and not return. Delete my account.
RE: “Sarah, I am so sorry “you†lost another bridge.”
Not certain what you mean . . . “bridge” is far far larger than a couple of votes at a GC.
And regardless, I’d never take personal responsibility for losing or winning any bridge — I’m not powerful enough.
I’m feeling good, though. It’s a great day to be alive and a great day to be a Christian! And “fought” is just too . . . “past tense” . . .
; > )
The culture wars go on and on — and those who choose to will fight their whole lives.
But regardless, the side trail takes attention away from Kendall’s fine and magnificent statement.
GO KENDALL!!!
2Cr 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
So true, Sarah. I remember reading your first piece over at STAND FIRM! No need to pick apart my writing. It stands good on it’s own.
Martha fought very well to keep doing the housework, too, until she perceived Mary getting much more out of what Mary was “doing”.
RE: “Martha fought very well to keep doing the housework, too, until she perceived Mary getting much more out of what Mary was “doingâ€.”
Yes indeed — I love Mary. What a great example she is and how fortunate that we can not only fight culture wars *and* enjoy and rest secure in Christ’s beautiful and exquisite presence. We are blessed.
The Spirit of God in each of us groans “inwardly”.
2Cr 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8.
It’s a dark, thundery, stormy, rainy night here in the Diocese of South Carolina. Very fitting.
“We must differentiate…”
The intolerant, hateful left will not allow it.
[blockquote]Christian, do not seek repose.
Cast your dreams of ease away.
You are in the midst of foes,
Watch and pray, watch and pray.Wicked forces, evil powers
Gathered in unseen array:
they wait for your unguarded hour,
Watch and pray, watch and pray.
Hear, above all, hear your Lord,
Love Him, serve Him, and obey:
Treasure in your heart His Word,
Watch and pray, watch and pray.
Watch as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day.
Pray that victory shall be won,
Watch and pray, watch and pray. [/blockquote]
Next Sunday, when the plate is passed and you are about to drop that crisp $20 bill into the vast heretical compost heap that is TEC 2012, stop! Stop and consider a better destination for that money.
Is there a mission somewhere struggling for funding as it brings the true Word of God to a hungry and ailing world? See that your gift goes to those doing the work you admire. It is time to vote with your dollars AND your faith.
$20? TEC is going to be losing a lot more than that. For a really faithful believer in the median income range that is probably more like a crisp $100 bill. If they have financial problems now, just you wait ‘enry ‘iggins, just you wait.
With apologies to My Fair Lady,
NW Bob
It is even more important now that ACNA and other Anglican groups do not lose their focus on evangelism and church planting.
TEC is still the largest anglican entity in USA, and its self-destructive actions are denuding many places of any Anglican witness. TEC parishes have to struggle with the image of their leadership and GC, who through bizarre actions such as this invite public scorn and derision on the whole organisation. At the same time, 815 through its budget strips support from parish and diocesan ministry and diverts it to sustain the central bureaucracy.
As a result we read of more and more US communities where the TEC church closes down and nothing takes its place. Of course there are churches of other denominations and that is a good thing, but the Anglican witness should be there also.
Pray that the Lord sends workers into the vineyard to plant more Anglican churches in those places abandoned by TEC.
I responded in this way to the Church of England’s ‘Thinking Anglicans’, FWIW.
“It appears that TEC has made provision for something called a ‘provisional rite.’ Article X of TEC’s constitution has no rite so-called. It does have provision for what it calls a ‘trial rite’ and this newrite was called that until at last minute a change was proposed to ‘provisional.’ A ‘trial rite’ requires a supermajority of Bishops to approve and people saw that was not going to happen. Rites like this one called ‘provisional’ must according to Article X conform to the rubrics of the BCP. The BCP is after all a constitutional document, not a loose leaf binder or Etch-a-Sketch. I’m not sure anyone voting Yes yesterday knows that or even much cares. After all, each Bishop in each Diocese may ban the use of such a rite. So now we have Uncommon Prayer. The only way this rite is in conformity with the rubrics of the BCP is by thinking about it as something sui generis — but Art X and the BCP were crafted so as to comprehend and order all the rites of the church. So there is now an obvious question mark over the status of the constitutional Art X and BCP.
I accept that those in favor of these rites don’t care about that or disagree with it. But the fact remains that for many Bishops and Dioceses this newrite is not only not to be used but is constitutionally questionable.
Conservative also means ‘in a fellowship of saints’ who have gone before and who have helped order our life of Common Prayer and Worship, where we await the Coming of our Lord in love and hope.”
My entire family had been members of the Episcopal Church since the Revolution and Anglican before that. That was the Church that formed me and I served for 30 years. It is no longer a church that I recognize. At this point, I have no stake in that future. I have tremendous sympathy and appreciation for Canon Harmon, whom I have met and continue to read for his insights. I worked with him at four previous GC’s. Even more, I understand his grief. I pray that he and the Diocese are successful in finding a way to separate from the decisions and directions of the General Convention. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless them in their struggles and in their search.
Fr Tom Hightower
Diocese of Fort Worth
Jesus calls his own to take up their crosses and follow him. In this statement all y’all have done that in witness of he who sacrificed his all for our sins. God keep you close to him.
My thoughts and prayers are with the people of the diocese of South Carolina and their deputation, and with gratitude for the Christian witness they show the rest of us, including through this weblog.
31. Fr Hightower, there is a way out of the TEC quagmire; it’s called “shaking the dust from one’s sandals and moving on.” I needn’t tell you the destination. We’re here in strength and in purpose, and our mission is to preach and teach the Word of God by going out into the world on Christ’s Great Commission…….and we’re doing just that.
27. BigVicar, you sure [b]nailed[/b] it!
The Presiding Bishop, Bp. Sauls, and their advisors will not allow South Carolina’s defiance to go unchallenged. As someone posted over at SF, the Eye of Sauron will soon refocus on South Carolina.
To all the Faithful in South Carolina: take cover! Incoming…
[Comment deleted by Elf]
Charlie, as a passionate soldier for Christ I am girding for this battle. And this battle can be better fought from within my church than without. I don’t know how long this conflict will continue nor how many indignities I will be forced to endure, but I will take my church back. This is not a battle of wills. It is a war against evil.
Big Vicar, I agree with you on all counts. I’m not going anywhere, either. I hope this isn’t too crude but I see it as a conflict between those whose hearts and minds are on heavenly things and those who think with their genitals.
I’m sorry, but I mean that. I don’t understand it, though. When individuals and groups turn so self-centered, I consider whether it is from mental and/or emotional trauma or it’s diabolical in origin. In this case, I thought it was the former but now I’m not so sure. When I read VGR’s comments and Glasspool’s “prayers” at their “liturgy,” it made me think of the ugliness and evil surrounding Aslan when he was bound to the stone table. There may be evil here.
But the benefit of thinking clearly and holding firm is that it wins out in the long run. How many fads and odd schools of thought have come and gone, how many people have risen and fallen from favor in the blink of an eye. Jesus Christ remains the same and it is our duty to witness to him wherever we find ourselves. And, indeed, we are often called to remain and witness where it is most uncomfortable. That is the price of discipleship.
My money won’t be going in the collection plate, either, and I will be sure to tell my rector why. I will also ask him how I can contribute directly to the upkeep and mission of the parish, instead.
i left texas ec long ago because i couldn’t stand the blatant lies anymore. on high holidays i make a special trip to my old conservative church because i miss the building and the music but i give money to the discretionary fund; just write it on the cheque and it will go to other projects.
[blockquote] “To all the Faithful in South Carolina: take cover! Incoming…” [/blockquote]
True, however Ms Schori is said to have been stony-faced when her measure to permit deposing of bishops by a simply majority was rejected on 11 July. +Gene Robinson and Ms Mary Glasspool spoke strongly in support of it, but many other bishops attacked it and it was voted down (or rather amended to stipulate that a super-majority is required, both at the diocesan convention and in the HOB).
Whatever plans Ms Schori had for South Carolina will now require to be rethought.
Mind you, I am sure that the vast majority of bishops who voted against Ms Schori’s measure had no interest in the welfare of South Carolina. Rather, it is their own hides they are worried about – they understand that the same methods that Schori and her cronies have used on the orthodox can just as easily be turned on liberals who don’t toe the central line.
#41. That is at least one ray of hope. I was not aware of this issue. Thanks for sharing. I am sure you analysis of episcopal self interest and preservation is correct. Eventually, what is sauce for the goose becomes sauce for the gander. They were at least smart enough to recognize this and protect their hides and pensions.
NW Bob