The Chicago Consultation has issued this press release:
Chicago Consultation Asks Archbishop to Reconsider Statement and Silence
“For weeks the Archbishop of Canterbury has been silent as the Ugandan legislature considers making homosexuality a crime punishable by death. Lambeth Palace has let it be known that it was working behind the scenes to influence the situation because public confrontation would be counterproductive and disrespectful. Yet the election of the Rev. Canon Mary D. Glasspool, a remarkably qualified gay woman as a suffragan bishop of Los Angeles, incited the Archbishop’s immediate statement of alarm, implying there would be grave consequences unless bishops and standing committees in the Episcopal Church refused to consent to her election.
“Canon Glasspool is a qualified, respected and beloved servant of God whom the Diocese of Los Angeles has discerned has the gifts of the Spirit to help lead their ministry. She is no threat to the work of God or to Jesus’ commandment that we love our neighbor as ourselves. On the other hand, executing gay people and creating a state system of oppression is a gross violation of the spirit of the one who welcomed the outcast to his table. We are as perplexed by the Archbishop’s speedy condemnation of the former as we are by his prolonged silence of the latter.
“We believe that honoring the relationships and ministries of gay and lesbian Christians, is, in the end, the only way in which the Anglican Communion can be faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We hope that when the Archbishop realizes the damage he has done to the Communion’s ministry among gay and lesbian Christians and those who seek justice for them, he will reconsider both the words he has spoken and the words he has not.”
“We believe that honoring the relationships and ministries of gay and lesbian Christians is, in the end, the only way in which the Anglican Communion can be faithful to the Gospel of jesus Christ” – Chicago Consultation – This message of the Chigago Consultation to the Archbishop of Canterbury – in response to his castigation of TEC’s L.A. diocesan choice of it’s two candidates for episcopal ministry, testifies to a basic truth which cries out for recognition within the word-wide family of the Anglican Communion. If we step back from this prophetic moment within our Churches – at the very… Read more »
It’s interesting that the election of a lesbian bishop in Sweden isn’t splitting the Lutheran Federation. And the problems in the ELCA seemed to have been reduced to a simmer. I’m currently going to an ELCA church and I find the lack of tension very refreshing. I’m not exactly sure why the problems aren’t as dramatic here.
These sorts of official comments won’t sway the ABC or his handlers – BUT they will encourage diocesan standing committees and bishops who are worried about consenting to the election of Canon Glasspool. This was a particularly well written one and will find its way into the hands of many of the people casting votes on the consent process.
The politics of the bureaucratic Church gets more attention that the potential desperate needs of a class of people.
But does the good Archbishop have ears that hear or eyes that see?
I know I’ve said this before, but the sad thing is that Rowan knows that what he is doing is wrong …
Good luck and God bless, Chicago Consultation. But likely, here comes the sound of crickets…
How beautifully said.
What a wonderful read on the feast of the Conception of Our Lady. It cheered my soul. A measured response from the Chicago consultaion, in direct contrast to the grumpy old man, and his civil servants at Lambeth. From my visit some years ago now to the USA, where I found the Anglican church was supporting, and encouraging LGBT folk in their spiritual journey. Hence the fruits of that support today in the persons God has called to be Bishops in the church of God. In contrast in England we have had to grow with our hands tied by Lambeth… Read more »
“What a wonderful read on the feast of the Conception of Our Lady” – John
I’ve never read any of N T Wright’s books, but how does he square Fulcrum’s support for women bishops with THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CHURCH AT CORINTH – DECORUM IN PUBLIC WORSHIP and Women’s behaviour at services ON A PURELY SOLA SCRIPTURA BASIS ???
Ashpenaz, there are no loony right wing billionaires paying big bucks to break up the Lutherans.
Ashpenaz, I think there are a couple reasons the Lutherans aren’t having the same public blow-up. The first is because conservative groups can switch synods. There is no official alternative for conservative Episcopalians. Second, because ELCA is itself the result of merging synods, many congregations have control of their own property and some of their bishops have said that they would permit groups who want to switch synods to leave with or negotiate for property owned by the organization. This may or may not be as generous as it sounds. This is a rural state and almost every town/village has… Read more »
This election is about the life and integrity of the American Episcopal Church. For this Church to not confirm by consent The Rev. Mary Glasspool as Suffragan Bishop of Los Angles is to violate the integrity of our Constitution and Canons and demeans the election of every bishop in the Episcopal Church.
An excellent statement. One can only hope it actually reaches the Archbishop and makes an impression.
I agree with you Chris. I would also add that the Lutherans put it to a vote before they did anything. I think that having a 60% vote prior to electing a gay bishop helps get everyone ready.
,,,we should substitute ‘veil’ for ‘mitre’ in Paul’s writings cited above. Then he makes sense = as photos of KJS in full regalia confirm.
As no one seems to have taken the bait in reply to the questions posed yesterday, forgive me for positing my own personal canon based on an interpretation of prima scriptura principles:
* The New Jerusalem Bible containing all things necessary for salvation including Ecclesiasticus.
* The Book of Common Prayer 1662
* Wagner’s Ring Cycle
* The New English Hymnal
* The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins)
Simon, there’s an American cable network (MSNBC) news program headed by an unabashedly liberal anchorwoman named Rachel Maddow.
Her show is secular and political but she talked for almost 30 minutes (including commercials/advertising) about the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill. She specifically emphasized the numerous connections between Ugandan legislators, last spring’s conference, and an apparently influential network of conservative Christian American politicians and religious leaders called The Family. Please take a look at this link, and consider making it a separate item and/or an additional link in a future Uganda update:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/
Click on “The Family’s Uganda’s Ties”