The move will mean the departure of a priest who, arguably, is one of the most accomplished and theologically noteworthy clergymen ever to serve in the city. He was among five candidates to be considered in 2003 to head the Colorado Diocese. Radner already had gained worldwide respect as a theologian and author by the time he was chosen earlier this year by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be a part of an international panel asked to design a “covenant” for all the world’s Anglican churches. The aim was to create a working agreement among members of a church riven when American Episcopalians – a part of the Anglican community – ordained an openly gay man as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.
Radner had been a delegate to the August 2003 general convention in Minneapolis, which ratified the New Hampshire diocese’s selection as bishop of Eugene Robinson – a divorced father of two who had lived with his male partner for 13 years.
Radner left the convention in protest, claiming that the meeting had forfeited “its authority, according to the traditional understanding that church council which act either illegitimately or heretically are no longer valid councils.”
He said that, “ultimately, some means within the larger Anglican communion must be brought to bear in order to adjudicate this matter.”
It made sense, then, that he serve on the international panel, as one of only two Americans thus invited. The gay-bishop and other issues have divided parishes, dioceses and the worldwide community of Anglicans, which numbers 77 million adherents.
“”But, he told The Pueblo Chieftain, “I am not leaving the Episcopal Church. I will remain ‘canonically resident’ within it, subject to an Episcopal bishop, even while receiving permission to function as a priest within the Anglican Church of Canada.”””
What a model of integrity for all of us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
:down:
Does he remain canonically resident in Colorado, or could he seek another, more compatible bishop and diocese?
I have to say he looks an extraordinarily pleasant and benevolent person. Renewed hope for my deep conviction that it’s still possible to do deals here.