Just over a year ago, in that Consecration service, I stood at the chancel steps of this Cathedral and answered the questions posed to me by our Metropolitan, Caleb Lawrence. I had no idea then, just how two of those promises would need to be held in such a state of tension in this early stage of my episcopacy: “Will you boldly proclaim and interpret the gospel of Christ, enlightening the minds and stirring up the conscience of your people?” and “Will you share with your fellow bishops in the government of the whole church ”¦?”
Over the past several months, I have endeavoured to prayerfully and faithfully wrestle with these two critical duties of a bishop in the Church and at times dealing with the issue of the blessing of same sex unions has felt like a monumental task and a heavy burden to bear. How do I keep in balance the responsibility I feel toward those who have elected me as their bishop, while at the same time remaining faithful and loyal to the members of our National Church and the Anglican Communion? So many times I have prayed for the wisdom of Solomon around this issue and I continue to wait upon God for a more complete answer.
However my faithful attempt to respond to this responsibility and challenge has now been made public, on Monday in the form of my response to the Statement of the House of Bishops and my more detailed release yesterday that outlines our next steps as we move forward. I am fully aware that some on both sides of the issue will see this as a lack of wise leadership on my part and I accept that. Having consulted as widely as possible, across our own diocese, across our country, at the House of Bishops (including many discussions with our Primate), and of course at Lambeth, I believe that I have come to a better understanding of what is at stake and what the implications are of the decisions we make at this critical period in the history of our Church. There is time set aside on tomorrow’s agenda for me to hear directly from members of synod in response to these announcements.
I haven’t seen the announcement regarding SSB’s that the Bishop of Niagara is referring to here. Can anyone post a link to that? From this speech, my hunch is that he plans to move forward, albeit slowly perhaps, in defiance of Canterbury’s Lambeth call for the three Windsor moratoria to be observed etc.
Bishop Bird appeals to the image of Jesus Christ as the gate to the sheepfold in John 10, and that is apt for this struggle for the soul of Anglicanism is all about boundaries. I’d say it’s all about regaining proper boundaries after they have been lost or confused, by misguided leaders like +Michael Bird, who follow the spirit of the age instead of the Spirit of God.
I find this speech to be a typical liberal smoke screen, filled with pious language, but in the end it’s all a sham. You CANNOT claim to be following Christ while refusing to follow the clear and consistent teaching of Holy Scripture.
David Handy+
David:
Bishop Bird signals his intentions in a letter posted on the diocesan website.
http://www.niagara.anglican.ca/bishopStaff/bishop-bird-same-sex-blessing.cfm
There is also this story in the Hamilton Spectator.
http://www.thespec.com/article/462541
Ross+
After I posted the above information I saw further on in T19 that Bishop Bird’s letter has been posted.
Ross+
Thanks, Ross. Obviously, I hadn’t seen it either.
David Handy+
I know he isn’t coining the turn of phrase, but I still find the use of the word prophetic as in the letter to the synod… odd.