But we did listen to each other, and we learned from each other. What I’m beginning to call internet inspired stereotypes, have been, in some cases, challenged, and maybe even in a few, overcome. We who are Bishops in the Episcopal Church, I think, sought to faithfully tell the stories of the people we are blessed to serve among. I remain passionately committed to our being a church that is, as our Lord Jesus Christ said, quoting the ancient prophets, “a house of prayer for all people.”
After attending this Lambeth Conference, I am more convinced than ever of the wisdom of the words of then Archbishop Robin Eames, who said that the Windsor Report was the beginning of a process intended to seek genuine healing and reconciliation among us as the Anglican Family of Jesus. In the weeks to come Bishop Gregg, and I will share our experiences with Bishop Marble,who attended the 1998 Lambeth Conference. The three of us look forward to further dialogue with bishops from across the Communion and many other lay and clergy voices, as we all consider how this conference fits into the great scheme of things. The September issue of the Disciple will share some of our more in depth reflections. Our website (www.episdionc.org) contains links to accurate sources of information.
The bishop’s letter is very revealing! It is a magnificent example of where the past 10 years of ‘dialogue’ and ‘listening to the pain [of the GLBTX] marginalized’ has brought us. Note that there is NO mention of the Bible or Jesus at all. He (a bishop of the church, yet!) sees his job with his fellow bishops as ‘tell[ing] the stories of the [GLBTX] people we serve’ to others. (For this we spent $12 MILLION?!? Why not stay home and blog each other, for goodness’ sake!) In his mind ‘dialgoue’ and ‘reflecting’ and ‘listening’ are EQUALLY important with Biblical teaching and the Tradition of the Church!
It is this ‘my experience trumps all’ thinking which has cast TEC adrift, far from the solid anchor of Christian Faith. This ‘experience is what’s important’ theology has also infected parts of the conservative evangelical movement in the US. It is reflects a basic crisis in TEC theology. The letter soundloy demonstrates how TEC has been DEEPLY corrupted by the narcissitic culture surrounding it. Gradually it has adopted the norms and values of that culture, and is blind to the subversion of what was, for centuries, a sublime expression of the Christian Faith.
Anglicanism at its best is able to balance the experience of a particular age with the wisdom of the ancient Church. In the past 50 years or so, its Western leaders have deliberately chosen to step away from that heritage. It is a tragic mistake. I suppose it may someday recover; but this is one Christian (among millions) who isn’t waiting around any longer.
Beware the wolf in sheep’s (purple) clothing!!!
[i]I am more convinced than ever of the wisdom of the words of then Archbishop Robin Eames, who said that the Windsor Report was the beginning of a process intended to seek genuine healing and reconciliation among us as the Anglican Family of Jesus.[/i]
I will admit to being puzzled by this statement. Is Windsor “the beginning” of a process that was intended to go on forever until one side forces the other to drop through sheer force of will? When does the good bishop expect this process to bear fruit? What does success in this process look like?
How much more “listening” and “process” can we stand before “action” is recognized as a viable option?
Petite Chou, #1, you should read the actual text of the letter, particularly the last paragraph. I think that it will address the concerns cited in your third sentence. Otherwise, I sympathize with your position.
“What is ours is we keep. What is yours is negotiable.”
Joseph Stalin. The supreme dialoguer.
Johannes: Yes, the good bishop does come up with an appropriate-sounding final paragraph…but I was addressing the total lack of biblical or theological reasoning in the Lambeth Conference, with its emphasis on the ‘experience’ of the purple-shirted gathered there.
Depressing, ain’t it? Thanks for the sympathy, and you have mine, too!
My congregation split from the diocese of NC last year. After reading Bishop Curry’s comments, it reassures me of my decision to follow my rector away from TEC. May God continue to bless All Saints Anglican Church, Father Filmore Strunk, and Archbishop Justice Akrofi of West Africa who has offered us sanctuary.
This is vintage Curry. He sounds so good in person that it takes while to realize he’s saying little. I note with amusement his comment that the diocesan website contains links to “accurate information.” Wouldn’t want to go out on the internet and find one of those other sites where you might hear conflicting information.
Note that Curry, who is so enthusiastic here about the “Windsor process,” has a written policy authorizing SSBs in the diocese. If the Windsor Report meant anything, he shouldn’t have been at Lambeth.
Katherine, WOW! I was not aware of his written policy…and of course, he won’t be disciplined or held accountable for his actions. Sick, sick, sick!!!