Thursday, July 16, 2009

Some of the Dust Has Settled

I'm writing late on Wednesday night, after the astonishing vote in the House of Bishops approving the development of rites for the blessing of same-sex unions and implicit permission given to bishops in civil jurisdictions where same-sex marriage is permitted to adapt current liturgies to such circumstances.

If there was ambiguity surrounding D025--and I have contended that there is--there is none here. This convention (when the Deputies concur with the Bishops tomorrow) has abrogated every positive gesture it has made toward the Anglican Communion since 2003. Everything we did three years ago in response to the Windsor Report is down the drain. The resolution on the Anglican Covenant that the HOD approved only today is of no import with respect to the rest of the Communion.

This is a dark day. It is a day that will live in infamy.
at

11 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:21 AM

    Dear Fr. Dan:

    I can tell how upset you are, because it is not Thursday night, but Wednesday night...It is indeed a dark day, but please know there is LIGHT (and salt) in ACNA and there is a place for YOU should you choose.

    In His Love,

    Deacon Francie

    ReplyDelete
  2. chiprys9:15 AM

    Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church

    Dan,
    Please don't misunderstand the resolution -- it authorises ALL bishops to offer same sex blessings in their dioceses.

    ReplyDelete
  3. mousestalker9:15 AM

    "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

    Just as it is written,
    "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
    WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."

    But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

    For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

    Whatever you may decide, whatever you think is your place in the Church (not the Episcopal Church but the Body of Christ one) as long as you cling to your Saviour and put your trust in Him, it will all be well in the end.

    I know you know this, but it bears repeating from time to time.

    God Bless you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9:23 AM

    Hello Fr. Dan,

    I think many understimate the deep psychological need of the liberated homosexual mind for affirmation (I empathize). As a black male, I saw the same need with some of my afro-centric brothers who have made outlandish claims based on skin color. However, The Church Universal is not called to affirm our humanity, it is called to affirm the humaity of Jesus who reveals to us the will of God. When I was a really "bright" Phd. student in theology I thought statements like the latter were simplistic. I have repented. I was full of intellectual pride. I am quite at home in the ACNA, where the authority of Scripture, and reverence for the Tradition and the cultivation of Holy Wisdom are encouaged.

    Pax
    Edward

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tregonsee9:38 AM

    Fr. Martins,

    This is the first GC in many decades in which I did not need to worrry about what "we" are doing. That does not mean I don't care, and especially for those who chose to remain behind and witness faithfully. My prayers go out to you and your parish to see your way through this. As others have commented, there are other options, which with God's help will become offical options in the near future.

    Treg

    ReplyDelete
  6. Phil9:40 AM

    My prayers are with you, Fr. Dan. I know the Lord will guide you and keep you.

    Sorry for being one of your detractors on D025. It's a dark time for Anglican Christians.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous10:33 AM

    Dear Fr. Dan,

    In your heart you must have known it would come to *this.* You have been so loyal to the Episcopal Church that I know this must break your heart. My prayers continue to be with you.

    YFD

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fr. Christopher Cantrell SSC11:39 AM

    Add me to your list of supportive friends (In case I had fallen off somehow).

    ReplyDelete
  9. Gordon Kamai3:47 PM

    Why all the handwringing? You knew this was coming. Rejoice! The choice is clear and now ACNA offers the way forward!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous11:21 AM

    Cheer up dear friend. Finally we know where we are. Now the task begins of keeping the candle of faith alight until this collective dark night of the soul ends. Now we shall begin to see the working out of all the implications, practical and theological of TEC's experiment. "The proof of this pudding" will make for an interesting meal.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous6:41 AM

    Cool post as for me. It would be great to read something more concerning this theme. Thanks for giving that data.
    Sexy Lady
    Asian escort

    ReplyDelete