As the Lambeth Conference tackles the controversial issue of gay bishops, two Anglican leaders give their views.
The Rt Rev Stacey Sauls, Bishop of Lexington has been attending the conference; the Most Rev Benjamin Nzimbi, Archbishop of Kenya, has not.
[blockquote]As the Lambeth Conference tackles the controversial issue of gay bishops…[/blockquote]
Tackles?? At best, those running the dog and pony show at Lambeth are spectators cheering for the coaches to send in someone willing to give his best shot at tackling the issue. There are some All-Pro linebackers on the sidelines, but they’ve been benched by the head coach.
That said, I had to chuckle at Sauls’ exhortation to intellectual honesty in the face of cultural forces after that contortionist recap of Scriptural prohibitions on homosexual acts.
Well, we can see that the talking points given to the EC House of Bishops are keeping them on message. But this video shows the chasm that exists and why there is no hope for godly reconciliation.
the archbishop seemed quite irritated at being asked these questions. Why did they dress so differently?
Saul did a pretty good job. “Stay in relationship” vs. “my way or the highway.”
John Wilkins: If the direction of this Lambeth (or of an upcoming instrument) were that all SSBs and practicing homosexual ordinations of any kind must be terminated indefinitely in all provinces, would you be willing to “stay in relationship?” By “stay in relationship,” I mean fully honoring such inhibitions, with engagement/discussion, but without any violations anywhere.
#3, JW, +Sauls, a former attorney from my old firm, talked very well, as most attorneys can, but he what did he say. There’s nothing in the Bible that condemns homosexual activity – please! Even Michael Hopkins+ admits that isn’t true. Staying in relationship sounds great … but what has it done? D. of Fort Worth stayed in relationship all these years, under the protection of prior GCs resolution that no diocese would have to ordain women against its will, but since GC 2003 (or 2006 – I can’t remember) that is no longer true. That’s apparently what reappraisers mean by “staying in relationship -” stay in the group until we can muster the votes to make you do what we want you to do. As we watch bishops around TEC, in total violation of canon law, not only approve but invite and participate, themselves, in SSBs, how long before those in reasserting dioceses and parishes are forced to allow SSBs (or marriages, most likely in the future). TEC bishops’ words are simply no longer trustworthy.
And your interpretation of the Archbishop’s being irritated was not mine. He was obviously not using his first language. And who cares why they were dressed differently. They obviously were interviewed at different times and in different places. And finally, the Archbishop did not say “my way or the highway.” He said the solution was to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. How does that threaten you, a priest? How does that say to you, a priest, “my way or the highway?” Seems to me that says more about you than about the Archbishop.