On December 3, 2008 a North American province was formed within the Anglican fellowship. Its status within the worldwide Anglican Communion is unclear. Theological conservatives formed this new province because they are angry and in disagreement with the liberal views of the US and Canadian Anglicans regarding homosexuality. (link)I am a supporter of extending civil rights to the LGBTQ community including the right to marry. I am not one who banishes a person based on his or her sexual orientation.
I must say that I questioned the ECUSA's decision to ordain Bishop Gene Robinson, not because he is gay or openly gay, on the basis that he lived with his longtime partner without marriage. I realize that they were unable to marry, but it's no excuse. IMHO it should have been a sacrifice on the bishop's part for the sake of the Gospel. A heterosexual who is in a loving, long term relationship, co-habitating without marriage would not have been ordained. I just don't believe it would happen and I don't think it should.
I'm not going to leave the ECUSA because of it nor do I think any less of Bishop Robinson. Anyway, there are more important issues to think about and to act on.
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1 comment:
Not surprising. I knew this one was coming.
I remember the big ruckus over Robinson. I too questioned the ordination, because I knew it would generate controversy, and the theological bases for supporting a bishop's living openly as a homosexual are not uniformly agreed upon.
They chose him, not because of his homosexuality, but because they thought that he would be a good bishop otherwise. And yet, sometimes it is important to be prudent, with such a delicate political matter.
It should be interesting to see what happens with other churches and dioceses. I predict they will get some folks from Northern Virginia, that is, if a few of the parishes have not joined yet...
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