Q: What kinds of things are you hearing? What are some of those tough issues that are really causing tensions?
A: Well, I think the toughest issue is human sexuality and I think that that’s — there are lots of other issues that are around that issue, but that’s the one that seems to be the hot point for everybody.
Q: And what are you hearing from your fellow bishops on that issue?
A: Well, you hear the whole spectrum, from people that basically agree with the role that the American church has taken in examining this issue, and people that disagree with us but still want to work together in mission and still want to be in Communion, and then there are those parts of the Communion who feel that the Episcopal Church has gone too far, and they want us to leave the Communion or be part of it in a different way.
Q: How is that working out in the dialogue? Is it frustrating relationships?
A: Well, for me whenever we move into that place where we’re talking about the juridical aspects of this, it makes me think that we’re not going to move forward as a Communion and that we’re not going to be able to be patient with one another, we’re not listening to one another and really taking an issue that’s a huge issue, that represents a whole lot of other issues, and try and talk them through.
Q: It does seem like there’s almost a stalemate. Do you see any forward motion, or does it feel like the same arguments over and over again?
A: Well, it depends on the day you talk to me. On some days I’ve had really significant conversations with individual bishops and groups, and I get a sense that we really are listening to one another and trying to find a path forward, and then on other days it doesn’t seem like really talking to one another, and it’s hard for me to see how we can go forward.
“…we’re not going to be able to be patient with one another, we’re not listening to one another and really taking an issue that’s a huge issue, that represents a whole lot of other issues, and try and talk them through.”
Ok…I am going to try to say this nice…
The folks who are pushing for SSB and actively homosexual clergy must not be listening to the opposition. Folks like Dr. Daniel Deng Bul, the Archbishop of Juba and Primate of the Sudan, are telling them point blank that Sudanese Christians were being murdered by Muslims because the certain portions of the Anglican Church are approving same-sex unions and ordaining active homosexual clergy and even elevating an adulterer and active homosexual to Bishop.
I say that they aren’t listening because I don’t want to believe the alternative. The alternative to them not listening is that they are hearing that their “fellow” Christians are being murdered so that they can enjoy sexual satisfaction, outside the clear confines of Scripture and 2,000 years of Christian tradition and practice…and they don’t care.
They must not be listening. If they are, then they would realize that their sinful pleasure is literally leading to the butchering of innocent men, women, and children…even babies.
Is there no compassion? Have they no shame?
They’re listening, S&ToN;: They will furrow their brows, stroke their chins, nod knowingly…
And in September, they will depose +Duncan.
See how it works?
Coming to a fork in the path, Alice asked the Cheshire Cat:
“Please, sir, which way should I go from here?”
“That depends,” said the Cat, “On [i]where[/i] you want to go.”
The “path or way forward” very much depends on where it is you think you are going.
If the way forward means that the entire Anglican Communion eventually comes to accept open homosexual practice among all levels of clergy and same-sex “marriage” or blessings, then the method will be that the recalcitrant or slow will listen until they agree.
If the goal at the end of the road is true fidelity to Holy Scripture, then TEC and the ACoC must repent and change their behavior.
We are going in two different directions. Hence the immobility is unbreakable by mere “listening to one another in generous love.”
[b]WHY[/b] is this so hard for people to grasp??!!