Gay clergy have this week been describing the ramifications of the pastoral guidance on same-sex marriage, issued by the House of Bishops last month. Bishops have begun meeting gay clergy, at least five of whom are reported to be planning to marry.
The Vicar of St Mary with All Souls’, Kilburn, and St James’s, West Hampstead, the Revd Andrew Cain, said on Tuesday that speaking publicly about his plans to marry his partner of 14 years ( News, 21 February) had resulted in an “uncomfortable” meeting with his bishop, the Rt Revd Peter Wheatley, on Wednesday last week.
“It was very uncomfortable for both of us,” he said. “He was with HR, and I was with a union rep. That would not be normal for a meeting between a bishop and a priest. I could not honestly say it was particularly pastoral. It was awkward.”
So much for discipline in the CoE. Openly violating church doctrine and the expressed will of the HoB is ok as long as you aren’t too noisy about it. And discipline for the bishop who is in turn openly violating the doctrine of the church and his own HoB statement? Yeah, right.
And the clergy of the CoE are represented by a union (per the article, the “priest” is being represented by his union rep)? How does church discipline work under a union contract?
[blockquote] “We are loyal Anglican, we are faithful priests, and we believe in marriage,”[/blockquote]
Loyal, faithful and believing as defined by . . . whom?
#3. Certainly not as defined by the Jerusalem Declaration!
Gee, the priest found it “awkward”… It must have quite spoiled his afternoon tea and cucumber sandwiches.
Meanwhile Christians (including Anglicans) in many places face torture and death for their faith. They must find that “awkward” also.