Australian Anglicans have committed themselves to three years of debate before a decision is taken on whether to embrace an international covenant designed to preserve the unity of their church.
In the debate over this resolution, the Rev. Dan Martins, who was elected yesterday as Bishop of Springfield, said that if the convention voted in favor of blessing LGBT relationships, members would be “covering ourselves in shame.” This is a word that has been thrown in the faces of LGBT people for most of their lives, and it goes well beyond stating a theological disagreement.
We have reported here before on efforts of the Anglican Cathedral of Second Life to achieve things like recognition, incorporation, and proper ecclesial oversight.
Far-reaching talk of exoneration in the face of persecution sounds vaguely like self-delusion. Talk obfuscating cold facts is also, equally, bewilderingly unhelpful.
There you have it: a bishop uninterested in stepping aside, a Standing Committee scrapping hard, and one of the highest representatives of our General Convention advocating structural reform. Oh, and the House of Bishops meeting in Arizona, and the feeling there’s a ball in their court. Makes you wonder if that old saw about things getting worse before they get better might not apply.
Busy week on Facebook this week. Of course, perhaps it’s always been this busy, but with our new notification and update tools it just seems busier. Some of the commentary is trenchant, some is playful, some is helpful, some is critical. Just a couple of highlights within, as we were still getting the bugs out of the new system early in the week:
The Anglican Church of Canada files a report of its efforts to stem the tide of suicide among youth, especially in Aboriginal communities.
The House of Bishops are meeting in Phoenix and a small group of them representing dioceses in North, South and Central America attended the Diocese
Martins led in all three ballots in the clergy, and was nearly elected on the second ballot when lay supporters of Canon Mark Stevenson appear to have shifted their support to Martins.
An Episcopal parish in Covington Georgia recently was willed a working 1983 firetruck by one of its parishioners. The Episcopal Church of the Good Shephard was willed the working vehicle by Dr. David Simons, a nationally know physician who conducted research into chronic muscle pain and other areas.