Jefferts Schori described the Georgia Diocese as “healthy” and one that “represents the broad range of the church across the nation.”
“There’s room for everyone who wants to be a part of this body, and I think this diocese is a good example. There is room for people who want to use the 1928 prayer book, and there is room for Integrity,” she said, referring to a national Episcopal group that supports the blessing of same-sex couples and the ordination of people who are openly gay.
“The difficulty can be when one member of the body says another can’t be a member.”
Jefferts Schori briefly addressed the church’s pending lawsuit against Christ Church Savannah, a 275-year-old congregation known as “the mother church of Georgia” that voted in 2007 to leave the Episcopal Church but keep its historic downtown property.
“I’ve heard you say you need to protect the property of the Episcopal Church, that it’s your fiduciary responsibility,” said Robert Lundy, spokesman for the theologically conservative American Anglican Council based in Atlanta. “At what point is it just not worth it to sue people who believe they are Christians just like you do?”
“We’re not suing people because they believe they’re Christians,” Jefferts Schori said. “I lament that, and I would bless that journey. But it’s not my right to send with them the family heritage.”
[blockquote] Jefferts Schori described the Georgia Diocese as “healthy”[/blockquote]
I suppose it is not shrinking as fast as some — but the trend is
http://12.0.101.88/reports/PR_ChartsDemo/exports/ParishRPT_917200885505PM.pdf
Though if they take out Christ’s church Savannah (which it appears to have been included in recent years with the same figures as provided in 2004) it would look a lot less healthy!
http://12.0.101.88/reports/PR_ChartsDemo/exports/ParishRPT_917200885653PM.pdf
I did get a bit of a giggle over this though
[blockquote] In that role, she serves as chief pastor to an estimated 24 million members in 110 dioceses in the U.S. and other nations. [blockquote]
Talk about spin ….
Sorry about the formatting blues!
[i]”At what point is it just not worth it to sue people who believe they are Christians just like you do?” [/i]
It amazes me that when people have an opportunity to ask a question of somebody in power, they waste their chance with a question like this. Just what did the questioner hope to get out the the Presiding Bishop? It looks like he just wanted to lecture her. What did that accomplish?
Think of all the things Katherine never gets asked: what is her position on Barry Beisner? What about Ann Holmes Redding? Is she concerned about the increasing number of Episcopalians who don’t think pre/extramartial sex is a problem? (Does she deny that there are large numbers of such people?) How does she justify our membership in RCRC? Is she willing to say outright that convenience abortion is immoral? If a resolution were put up at GC that the PB must have been the rector of some parish, would she oppose the resolution – and why? How does she feel about what the Diocese of Massachusetts has done regarding the marriage liturgy? And on it goes. Ask her a question she’s not expecting – you might – just might – catch her off guard.
Asking the right question is a valuable skill.
[i]”The difficulty can be when one member of the body says another can’t be a member.” [/i]
um, like she is saying to Bp. Duncan?
[blockquote]”The difficulty can be when one member of the body says another can’t be a member.” [/blockquote]
Does she mean like when the immune system (IS) manufactures antibodies to kill off an infection in a gangrenous limb (GL)?
GL, of course, can stand for something else.
[blockquote]Now be serious … given his moves toward leaving the Episcopal Church while attempting to take the Diocese with him [/blockquote]
How does one do that, exactly? Show up with a revolver and bandana over one’s face, demanding, “Take thees dioceeese to La Cona del Sur!”?
RE: “But it’s not my right to send with them the family heritage.”
Why not — she’s squandered the family heritage of the Christian gospel and the Anglican expression of it just fine.
Notice the language again: “my” and “right” seems to get a lot of play.
Too bad, her opponents don’t get their rights.
Please recall Screwtape’s lesson about Mans’ talking about “my shoes” (my life, … etc.).
I was fascinated by the examples of Integrity and the 1928 Prayer Book as defining diversity. Diversity in Georgia is shown by the various understandings of the basics of Christianity. Also, Integrity and Exodus would represent diversity, not the 1928 Prayer book.
I find it hard to put into words the strength of feeling I find myself having towards Ms. Schori. Evertime she closes her iron fist and uses it against the children of God- my brothers and sisters (and hers) in Baptism- I almost hear the angels wince in horror.
It is all well and good her stressing the need to stop the schismatic fleeing with the treasure- only she (and her type) IS the schismatic whose foul and apostate teaching has caused these souls to flee! The liberal hierarchy continually close their ears to all the faithful and then to every serious ecumenical partner. Her actions- and those of others like her- are those of deep hubris. She would not be out of place as the tyrant in a Greek tragedy.
Where is the gentle but firm love we see in Pope Benedict? Where the humility of Mother Theresa? And why so MUCH passion for keeping hold of the church’s money, bricks and mortar- but so LITTLE for keeping hold of the faith of Christ crucified?
I am sorry but this woman is clearly no friend of Christ.(And I stress CLEARLY – the time for manners is past) She shines in the world as the example par excellence of the ultimate product of liberal secular driiven so-called Christianity. The true leader of the liberal protestant sect that Anglican church seems intent on becoming.
Were I serving in America I would have left. (and yes I would take my people and THEIR building too- for the shepherd must guard his sheep from the wolves)
Pray God the Church of England has the sense to offer something more gracious and inclusive to its orthodox people. (My fear is that such a prayer requires a massive miracle)
Follow Paul’s example and hand her over to Satan for reproof and correction lest she never come to Christ.
#11, the other large church in Savannah, St John’s did (and may still) continue to use 1928 BCP. For her to claim D. of GA as healthy is just plain silly. It’s largest church has left and is trying to take its building (church was formed prior to diocese, so it may be successful). St John’s, it’s second largest is not at all happy. And otherwise, I do not believe it has a single growing church and has no new plants in its future. Most laity I know do not care for their bishop either – I’ve heard they think he is a bit flakey. One more thing, PB’s statement that about not allowing those leaving to take the “family heritage,” is just so wrong. The real family are those who bought and paid for the property … the locals who want to leave. TEC didn’t do anything to pay for their property. It is not TEC’s family heritage. It is the local church’s family heritage. At some point in time, the diocese may have helped in the purchase, but ultimately it was the parishioners who paid and they are the ones, equitably who should be allowed to keep it. But we know the machinations of TEC and its fraudulent Denis Canon have muddied those waters too much.
“the theme of conflict represents a “relatively small part of this church,” Jefferts Schori said”
Wow!!! We’ve been promoted from a “tiny minority” to a “relatively small part”… Could it be that Mrs. Schori is beginning to grasp the scope of the dissent? Nah, probably not….
She does not know because of the lack of dialogue and a failure to communicate. There is something wrong with the process. We need to engage in better listening, just llike Lamberth. I agree with those above that TEC has run off with the family property from Nicea.