Here is some of the thought of Bishop Mouneer Anis of Eygpt, Primate of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East:
I find that many of our North American friends blame us and criticise us for bringing in the issues of sexuality and homosexuality but in fact they are the ones who are bringing these issues in. Here at Lambeth, you come across many advertisements for events organised by gay and Lesbian activists which are sponsored by the North American Church. If you visit the marketplace at the conference, you will notice that almost half the events promoted on the noticeboard promote homosexuality and are sponsored by the North Americans. And in the end, we, the people who remain loyal to the original teaching of the Anglican Communion, which we received from the Apostles, are blamed. They say that we talk a lot about sexuality and that we need to talk more about poverty, about AIDs, and injustice. They are the ones who are bringing sexuality into this conference. It’s not us. We want to talk about the heart of the issues which divide us, not only sexuality. That is just a symptom of a deeper problem.
They talk about the slavery and say that 200 years ago Christians were opposed to the freedom of slaves and they compare us to those Christians for our attitude to gay and lesbian practises. To be honest, I think this is inviting us to another kind of slavery, slavery of the flesh, to go and do whatever our lusts dictate. Sometimes, I think that maybe because of the pressure in Western culture to push the practise of homosexuality, our friends in the West are pushing these issues. But, on the other hand, I see many who live in the West and still want to preserve the faith and the tradition of the Church. Should we allow culture to pressure the Church or should the Church be distinctive, light and salt to the world? Cardinal Ivan Dias said that we didn’t bring the Gospel to the culture we could end up suffering from spiritual Alzheimers.”
Something stinks in Lambeth and Bishop Mouneer Anis has located the source of the offensive smell.
A bishop that speaketh clearly…bravo!
[blockquote] If you visit the marketplace at the conference, you will notice that almost half the events promoted on the noticeboard promote homosexuality and are sponsored by the North Americans. [/blockquote]
It is important to have a record of this. Has anyone seen pictures of the marketplace on the internet? Can anyone upload some?
Here we go! Honesty.
Conversely, I think this comment by Bishop Smith illustrates just why the communion is in the mess its in: “Kirk Smith, bishop of Arizona: “I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve had a great time in the Bible Studies groups. We now have to get on with the serious stuff.”
Uhhh, Bishop Smith-that WAS the serious stuff. At least that’s what Christ believed (Luke 10:38-42).
Only Jesus and the ABC thought that way, GSP98. How utterly backward of you not to agree with Kirk Smith.
(PS Do you think he has a clue that his first name is scottish for church or maybe he’s on the same wavelenth with regard to Bible study and nomenclature?)
God bless the faithful bishops such as Mouneer Anis. Give them the strength, patience and wisdom to deal with the clueless, amoral funseekers in their midst (no need to name names here; you readers can figure out who these are). Protect these faithful shepherds and their flocks from those who would destroy our faith, and those who would use the travesty of events encouraged by the apostates in the western provinces to attack believing Christians in their lands.
In Jesus’s name, He, [b][i]the[/b][/i] way, [b][i]the[/b][/i] truth and [b][i]the [/b][/i] light, I pray!
I agree with Marion. Is there at least one of these posters that can be blogged out to those that can’t make it to Lambeth?