Sunday evening news conference live blog beneath the fold:
Bishop Dena Harrison: The bishops approved the denominational health plan. The deputies had already approved it. So the health plan proposal passes. (Editor’s note: We will try to get you more in-depth information about this tomorrow.)
Bishop Leo Frade: He is happy the Deputies passed D038, which supports Latino ministry. He says it comes “20 years too late.”
The Rev. Charley Osberger of Easton: Served on the committee that wrote D025. The committee recommended the adoption of the resolution as a whole. There were two moves to divide the resolution. The committee wanted it adopted as a whole.
The Rev. Gay Jennings of Ohio, chaired the committee that wrote D025.
Deputy Sarah Lawton from California: In other deputies news…. The Latino ministry initiative. “It’s big and I hope you will cover it.” Also concurred with the bishops that 1 percent of the TEC budget be given to the Millenium Development Goal.
Question: what does the language of the clause the describes the fact that gay and lesbian Christians are called to all orders of ministry mean viz B033?
Gay Jennings: B033 wasn’t a moratorium. It was an urging. What the new language does is simply state where the Church already stands. Our discernment processes are governed by the Constitutions and Canons of the Episcopal Church.
Charley Osberger: The resolution does not revise or amend the canons on ministry. It calls us to be responsible to them.
I think it affirms we are a Church of two minds, and those minds are informed by a careful reading of Scripture, the living tradition of the Church and an application of reason, but a reason that is informed by revelation… The resolution appropriately respects those differences that are ongoing in the church and asks us to engage one another in…. common seeking after common ground.
Gay Jennings: I did not ever understand B033 as having the weight of our canons. … It was still always within the purview of bishops and standing committees to grant or not grant consent.
Sarah Lawton on The Latino ministry legislation: I hope that the bishops will concur. Impediments? It does call for major expenditure and we are all struggling with that. We made a strong statement that Latino ministry is greatly important to us.
Bishop Frade: It is time for the bishops to play ball or leave the court.
Gay Jennings on why it was worth passing legislation on B033: The reason that this resolution became so important was the passage of B033… Our membership in the Anglican Communion worldwide is very important to many people, regardless of what their opinion is on episcopal consents. … It is important as we look to live a common life in our unity in Jesus Christ even as we disagree on important issues.
There were 13 resolution submitted around this issue, nine from dioceses representing thousands of people across the Episcopal Church and four from deputies…. I don’t remember a topic receiving that many resolutions from dioceses.
Charley Osberger: Is this resolution sufficient to maintain our position in the Anglican Communion? It will be read and interpreted by bodies beyond the Episcopal Church. So I don’t imagine it will be interpreted in the same way as it was interpreted by this House. He stresses the parts of the resolutions that pledge fidelity to the Communion and emphasizes the parts that are rooted in an appreciation in Lambeth resolutions…
Bishop Frade: the myth that the Global South is of one mind and we are of one mind. They are as divided as we are on the issues of sexuality. He mentions that when the “Global south” meeting was held at Lambeth, Brazil was not admitted.
Sarah Lawton: the response from the Communion will be mixed, and we can’t predict what will happen. She describes D025 as a “gracious, gracious resolution.” We do the conversations no favors if we do not say truly who we are.
Charley Osberger regarding whether this repudiates Lambeth Resolution 1.10: bishops and dioceses will have to exercise discretion. But this reflects where we stand.
Gay Jennings: It is not the Episcopal Church against the Anglican Communion. There are many other provinces struggling with this issue and trying to respond to God’s call in faithful and authentic ways. We don’t wish to walk apart. We are asking other provinces to keep faith with us.