Some bishops attending the Lambeth conference on July 23 reacted to a statement made the previous day by Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of Sudan that the Episcopal Church had lost its way and asked Gene Robinson, the bishop of New Hampshire who is in a same-gender partnership, to step down.
“We have had some harsh words from our good friend Daniel Deng Bul,” said Bishop Jeffrey Lee of Chicago in a video statement also available on youtube aimed at the diocese and released July 22.
He confirmed that the longstanding companion relationship between his diocese and the Diocese of Renk, where Deng served as bishop until his election this year as primate of Sudan, would continue. “He had harsh things to say about the Episcopal Church and some of the actions we have taken. I had a chance to talk to Daniel, and what I can say to you, bottom line, is that our affection for each other continues. His affection for the Diocese of Chicago and gratitude for many gifts we have given and brought to the Sudan continues.
“My commitment is that our relationship will continue, that it’s bigger and deeper than differences over discipline matters and the things that divide us. My commitment remains to the Episcopal Church and the processes we have taken to the full inclusion of all God’s people and we were able to share about that.”
Archbishop Mauricio de Andrade, primate of Brazil, said he thought the Sudanese archbishop’s statement was “very sad,” adding that “now is the moment for listening and conversation, not the moment for ‘agree with me or I won’t talk with you.’ It is the moment for being open, sharing and especially listening.”
How about time for honesty? It’s way past time to lance this boil.
“”We have had some harsh words from our good friend Daniel Deng Bul,” said Bishop Jeffrey Lee of Chicago….”
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No Bishop Lee, you had some very “honest” words from your “…good friend Daniel Deng Bul….”
Friends who are not “honest” about ‘sin’ issues critical to Salvation are not “…good friends….”
The usual “objective” coverage. Where would we be without the Web to allow us to see different versions of the same events?
[blockquote] David Jones, suffragan bishop of Virginia, said the session was “the beginning of a long conversation.”[/blockquote]
Bishop Lee heard some stern words from Archbishop Deng, but he didn’t listen and pay attention. Instead, he and his fellow bishops are determined to go their own way regardless of what the majority of the Communion thinks, and they have isolated themselves; effectively creating a new “communion” of their own……The Episcopal Communion; one which I believe is becoming increasingly Secular Humanist in its proclamations and practice.
Br. Michael (# 1),
[blockquote]
How about time for honesty? It’s way past time to lance this boil.
[/blockquote]
It’s not clear to me what you mean.
What action(s) are you suggesting?
“It is the moment for being open, sharing and especially listening.”
Because once we are all open and share and listen to each other, you will finally hear what we’re saying, and will realize we are right. If you don’t realize we’re right, then it’s your fault for not being open and listening.
When will TEC dig the wax out of their ears and hear what much of the Anglican world is saying to them? Why are they never at fault for not listening to others? Why are they immune from listening to and considering the godly advice and counsel of others, offered in true Christian love?
Cennydd (# 5),
[blockquote]
Bishop Lee heard some stern words from Archbishop Deng, but he didn’t listen and pay attention.
[/blockquote]
I suppose you mean Bishop Lee of the Diocese of Virginia. I had thought that his only “sin” was voting for consent in 2003. Is there something else? (Oh! Are you talking about his understanding of his duties as a fiduciary?)
8, TEC’s rebellion and its willingness to split the AC.
It does make sense. What seems most Christian is for the Archbishop to state what he thinks, but maintain a relationship. It’s the hardest thing to do, but probably most exemplifies a Christian community. He should not stop making his demands, we should not stop listening and stating our position, nor should we get up, and leave the table in anger.
Because it is our sinful humanity that demands we leave each other and supposes our wrath is God’s.
And it is God that keeps us connected.
Duh! Of course they have harsh words for him. He is a Truth-teller.
No#10. Thou art wrongedy wrong wrong wrong. The old saying is still true: Lie down with dogs, rise with fleas. You may like fleas, but the church should not maintain a relationship which has shown clearly that it is infested with nargles, at the very least. It is especially important that we sleep in ourr own clean beds because it is all too clear that they wish to share their infestation with all others. This is not very complicated, is it? Not everything is difficult, subtle, nuanced. You like nargles, do lie down straightway and God will keep you connected to nargledom. LM
Re #12
Is that in scripture? Clean beds? Fleas? It’s a great saying. But I can’t imagine Jesus saying that about his disciples, or about the crowds, or even about the pharisees. Your use of “infestation” does reveal the differences between the gut level feelings we have for each other.
I see you as a human being with whom we can worship God. And if you don’t want to worship with me, that’s fine. You see me and my like as fleas and think nobody should worship with me. It is an attitude that Jesus didn’t seem to have, given his propensity to hang out with sinners, and his reputation as a glutton and a drunkard.