As he sat on the grass tucking into his burger, Bishop Bruce Caldwell, of Wyoming, told The Times that the discussion had been polite. “We passed an umbrella to the person speaking. We heard from people we hadn’t heard from before. It was more respectful than in 1998 when hard words were said that caused problems for gay and lesbian people.”
The Lambeth Conference of 1998 published a covenant taking a strong stand against homosexual practice. Since then the Episcopal Church in America has ordained the first openly gay bishop, the Right Rev Gene Robinson.
But what was decided upon on the pivotal day of the 2008 Lambeth conference yesterday?
Well, not a lot. This year is unique and there will be no resolutions, only reflections.
Bishop John Hiromichi Kato, from Japan, said: “Sexuality is too big an issue to decide at something like this.” Bishop Ismail Gibreil Abudigin from Sudan said that it had been good to talk about the “dilemma” of homosexuality. But he said that nothing had been decided as a result. “The majority think it [homosexuality] is an abnormality. I agree with that view.”
[blockquote] Bishop John Hiromichi Kato, from Japan, said: “Sexuality is too big an issue to decide at something like this.†Bishop Ismail Gibreil Abudigin from Sudan said that it had been good to talk about the “dilemma†of homosexuality. But he said that nothing had been decided as a result.[/blockquote]
If not here and now then where and when?
Actually by not deciding they have decided. TEC will go on its way and the AC will continue to do nothing. Orthodoxy in North America is truly on its own and each person will have to go his or her own way.
Br. Michael is spot-on. The default status isn’t everyone sitting on his hands, but a TEC that is unchastised and given free rein. The lawsuits, depositions and purges will only accelerate now. God help us all.
A missed opportunity: Probably, the last one to save the Communion.
I see no reason for the sexuality questions to be communion-breaking matters. The Bible clearly states “Thou shalt not kill,” but that hasn’t stopped any of the Global South churches from staying in communion with others which were directly involved in genocide. I think there’s a major failure to prioritize!
What churches have been “directly involved in genocide” without repenting of it, Wolstan? Your accusation absent facts is but slander and lies.
Akinola: Massacre of Yelwa.
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2005/nigeria0505/4.htm
#7, you seem to have exaggerated at a minimum or even possibly purposefully misled. I have reviewed your whole citation. The only quote of Archbishop Akinola is as follows: “Even the Anglican Primate of Nigeria and national president of CAN, Archbishop Peter Akinola, told Human Rights Watch: “I don’t have records of Christian groups going out deliberately to attack. The church says turn the other cheek, but now there is no other cheek to turn. Some Christians are struggling for survival in their land.†I believe you owe this blog and its participants, as well as Ab Akinola an apology.
Well, try this excerpt from The Lead (Episcopal Cafe):
When asked if those wearing name tags that read “Christian Association of Nigeria†had been sent to the Muslim part of Yelwa, the archbishop grinned. “No comment,†he said. “No Christian would pray for violence, but it would be utterly naive to sweep this issue of Islam under the carpet.†He went on, “I’m not out to combat anybody. I’m only doing what the Holy Spirit tells me to do. I’m living my faith, practicing and preaching that Jesus Christ is the one and only way to God, and they respect me for it. They know where we stand. I’ve said before: let no Muslim think they have the monopoly on violence.â€
And finally, I don’t owe your participants an apology, unless you consider this blog the Holy Word which can’t be argued with–as apparently many do! You know as well as I what the real story is, but you have too much invested in being blind to the truth.
#9, oh, I would definitely trust Episcopal Cafe – not! I know no more of the “real story” than you do, unless you were in Yelwa, which you apparently were not, since you are relying on secondary sources. You owe an apology because you have put forth an untruth, regardless of where you said it. But you are in my prayers because you are unhappy with this blog and what is said on it.