Still, Hong Kong Primate Paul Kwong said he regretted a lack of “concrete action” to deal with the sexuality issues. He told journalists the Hong Kong Anglican Church had ordained a woman in the 1940s but had later revoked the ordination when it became clear it was not acceptable to other churches.
“Sacrifice is what Hong Kong is asking for,” he said. “We are not talking about rights. For the sake of the communion, we are asking for sacrifice.”
However, Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles said the proposals for a halt to same-sex blessings would be received with “fear and trembling” in his diocese, the Episcopal Café blog site noted. “For people who think that this is going to lead us to disenfranchise any gay or lesbian person, they are sadly mistaken.”
Some individuals expressed doubts that the archbishop’s plan for a covenant, a pastoral forum and a new round of talks with primates would heal the wounds caused by Bishop Gene Robinson’s consecration.
“I think this is not the last Anglican conference but I do think it will be the last Lambeth Conference,” said the Rev. Tom Wetzel of Anglicans United, a group headquartered in Dallas, Texas that says it campaigns for “Anglican orthodoxy”.
John Bruno answers the headline’s question quite succinctly, I think.
I feel that there probably is a consensus within the communion, but no way to implement any rulings. What the communion needs is a covenant that is legal, binding enforceable, and exclusive. If you can not sign on to the Christian beliefs as handed down to us and can not stand up for Christ and the Gospels, like some churches I know, don’t sign. But, you will not be a part of a covenant communion that is ONE Church, and not just a group of friends.
So +Bruno says that being told to stop blessing sin produces fear and trembling among the saints in Los Angeles, eh? Perhaps he should review who Jesus told us to fear:
“Do not be afraid of those who, after they have killed the body, can do nothing further. No, I will tell you who to fear. Fear Him who, after having killed the body, can cast both body and soul into Gehenna forever! Him, I tell you, fear Him!”
Since we are enjoined to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling”, perhaps Bishop Bruno said more than he meant to.