Words fail me. I am astonished. Tonight the House of Bishops approved D025 with only one amendment, which I consider minor. And they approved it with a huge majority: 99 for, 45 against, and 2 abstaining. That is similar to the House of Deputies 2:1 margin. Astonishing!What, Lisa? What?! What are you talking about?
Resolved that this 76th General Convention affirm that God has called and may call such individuals to any ordained ministry within TEC and that God's call to the ministry is a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church.Who are these "such individuals?" What happened? What is it? What's the buzz?
Resolved...the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God" (2000-D039); and be it further
Resolved, That the 76th General Convention recognize that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are currently doing so in our midst...
Oh, gays and lesbians. Gosh we haven't talked about them in a while. So the Episcopal Church thinks they are human beings, eh? With equal rights? Gifts for ministry? Good enough for the Bishop's tall hat?
Yes.
Good for you Episcopal Church. Way to stand up for what is right. This is a good day.
Ahem. How about you, Presbyterians?
If you love them so much why don't you gay marry them?
ReplyDeleteI just might. Should I ask them first or wait until they ask me?
ReplyDeleteGather ye rosebuds while ye may, John. :)
ReplyDeleteGood news from the Episcopalians, but it's a bit funny. Given all the gay bishops they've ordained, it's a little like closing the barn door after the horses have escaped.
As I noted in my own blog, it's a great day to be an Episcopalian. Just as you hope that the Presbyterians soon catch up to history, I hope my ELCA does the same at their upcoming MPLS convention in August. I'll be there, live blogging and also lobbying in the hallways.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a big deal as this move apparently overturns a moratorium placed on them three years ago.
ReplyDeleteWithin their denomination, there is huge majority support, but that worldwide Anglican thing is their albatross.
We don't have that super majority support within (yet) but that worldwide pressure isn't there.
Good lesson about ordaining first and asking permission later... : )
Yes---it IS a good day! (And, I admit, I am eating a HUGE plate of crow today, because I did not expect it...)
ReplyDeleteThe Presbys' day is coming, John. The Holy Spirit, once revealed, will not be contained in the small boxes we like to put Her in--and thanks be to God for that!
Cheers,
Doxy
Celebrating with you, Doxy! That's what I have been gathering is that the bishops surprised y'all.
ReplyDeleteHey Obie,
ReplyDeleteWelcome! Minneapolis is the Protestant convention Mecca. The Calvinistas are there next summer. Looking forward to your reports from Lake Wobegon!
I think most were worried that many of the bishops had been seduced by the accents of certain English bishops.
ReplyDeletePersonally I wonder if any English bishops of the liberal persuasion had called to tell the TEC bishops to throw down the glove. Given that certain African Anglican church leaders have been advocating prison sentences for merely supporting civil gay rights without a rebuke from the communion, it is about time. (There was also the poaching but that isn't so much a matter of social justice.)
Can't stop the Spirit....!
ReplyDelete