Diocese of Upper South Carolina Bishop Creates Panel on Same Sex Unions and Unity

That way forward must be deeply rooted in the evangelical imperative, and it must engage scripture, tradition and reason ”” both in the very pastoral and human dimensions that have challenged the church to address same-sex relationships and, more rigorously, in the theological dimensions that have given a moral grounding for the church over many centuries through the received tradition. Our task will be to help me articulate the boundaries within which we might live together that includes same-sex relationships and those who struggle with the church’s decisions with clarity and substance.

This will be hard work. But it will also be work with unexpected blessings….

Read it all.

Posted in * Anglican - Episcopal, * Christian Life / Church Life, * Culture-Watch, * South Carolina, --Civil Unions & Partnerships, --Gen. Con. 2012, Anthropology, Episcopal Church (TEC), Ethics / Moral Theology, General Convention, Law & Legal Issues, Liturgy, Music, Worship, Marriage & Family, Parish Ministry, Pastoral Theology, Religion & Culture, Same-sex blessings, Sexuality, Sexuality Debate (in Anglican Communion), TEC Bishops, TEC Parishes, Theology, Theology: Scripture

11 comments on “Diocese of Upper South Carolina Bishop Creates Panel on Same Sex Unions and Unity

  1. CharlietheCook says:

    I certainly don’t want to sound impertinent, but was this the announcement we were awaiting?

  2. CharlietheCook says:

    Oops, I see. This is not Bp. Lawrence’s diocese. Sorry.

  3. Br. Michael says:

    Spare me. They are going to do what they are going to do regardless of scripture or Jesus. They just want the orthodox to go along with the minimum of fuss and continue to send those checks in. We have been at this a long time and we know the script and the drill.

  4. Ralph says:

    Hmm. Lamentably, Sarah Hey does not appear to be one of the chosen, but I’ll bet she knows those who were chosen.

    He says it will be “work with unexpected blessings.”

    If they’re not careful, it will be work with expected curses.

  5. wmresearchtrianglenc says:

    Its sad, of course, that this sort of thing is so obvious a “cover”–so obviously a device for effectuating a change–but saddest is that such a charade can actually see the light of day as something that passes the “laugh test”.

  6. Sarah says:

    RE: “but saddest is that such a charade can actually see the light of day as something that passes the “laugh test”. . . . ”

    Believe you me, it hasn’t passed the “laugh test” here in Upper South Carolina! ; > )

  7. dwstroudmd+ says:

    “includes same-sex relationships and those who struggle with the church’s decisions”

    Already decided. Get over it.
    And don’t let that Scripture and Church Tradition stand in your way on the way out the door, either.

  8. Milton says:

    [blockquote]If they’re not careful, it will be work with expected curses.[/blockquote]

    The folks on the panel won’t expect the curses because they have not read the Book which contains them or have long ago dismissed it as myths and primitive misunderstandings.

  9. Milton says:

    Having a look at Waldo’s letter and the panel bios. I guess hasty accommodations in “living together as a diocese” had to be made for:
    [blockquote]Jennifer Bull …. She is married to Susan and lives in Irmo.[/blockquote] Wonder who married the lovely couple?

  10. Dan Crawford says:

    Oh my, another committee “dialoguing” to reach a foreordained conclusion. How thrilling.

  11. Statmann says:

    A rather obvious way to delay a decision until AFTER the 2013 Pledge Drive is completed. Other dioceses will follow suit. Statmann