How Will TEC Respond To The Other Demands?
Technically the House of Bishops' statements of yesterday (see post below) dealt only with a complete rejection of the Primates' Communique's scheme for "alternative primatial oversight" for the orthodox still within TEC. But there are hints in these documents about how the "mind of the HOB" sits with regard to the Primates' demand for "unequivocal" assurances that the bishops of TEC will consent to no more non-celibate bishop-elects and will not authorize rites for same-sex blessings within their dioceses. Take a look at the paragraph below from their statement of yesterday and tell me if there remains any chance that the Communique's demands on these other disputed questions will be met:
It is incumbent upon us as disciples to do our best to follow Jesus in the increasing experience of the leading of the Holy Spirit. We fully understand that others in the Communion believe the same, but we do not believe that Jesus leads us to break our relationships. We proclaim the Gospel of what God has done and is doing in Christ, of the dignity of every human being, and of justice, compassion, and peace. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ there is no Jew or Greek, no male or female, no slave or free. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including women, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church. We proclaim the Gospel that stands against any violence, including violence done to women and children as well as those who are persecuted because of their differences, often in the name of God. The Dar es Salaam Communiqué is distressingly silent on this subject. And, contrary to the way the Anglican Communion Network and the American Anglican Council have represented us, we proclaim a Gospel that welcomes diversity of thought and encourages free and open theological debate as a way of seeking God's truth. If that means that others reject us and communion with us, as some have already done, we must with great regret and sorrow accept their decision.
RWF resumes: It cannot be doubted from this last sentence that the HOB will not do anything more to keep the dioceses and people of the Anglican Communion Network within TEC, or for TEC to remain in communion with staunchly orthodox provinces of the Global South. Will we have to wait until the September 30th deadline of the Communique for the chips to finish falling, or is this statement from the HOB "unequivocal" enough for the Global South Primates to act sooner? Time will tell.
It is incumbent upon us as disciples to do our best to follow Jesus in the increasing experience of the leading of the Holy Spirit. We fully understand that others in the Communion believe the same, but we do not believe that Jesus leads us to break our relationships. We proclaim the Gospel of what God has done and is doing in Christ, of the dignity of every human being, and of justice, compassion, and peace. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ there is no Jew or Greek, no male or female, no slave or free. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including women, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God's children, including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church. We proclaim the Gospel that stands against any violence, including violence done to women and children as well as those who are persecuted because of their differences, often in the name of God. The Dar es Salaam Communiqué is distressingly silent on this subject. And, contrary to the way the Anglican Communion Network and the American Anglican Council have represented us, we proclaim a Gospel that welcomes diversity of thought and encourages free and open theological debate as a way of seeking God's truth. If that means that others reject us and communion with us, as some have already done, we must with great regret and sorrow accept their decision.
RWF resumes: It cannot be doubted from this last sentence that the HOB will not do anything more to keep the dioceses and people of the Anglican Communion Network within TEC, or for TEC to remain in communion with staunchly orthodox provinces of the Global South. Will we have to wait until the September 30th deadline of the Communique for the chips to finish falling, or is this statement from the HOB "unequivocal" enough for the Global South Primates to act sooner? Time will tell.
posted by Texanglican (R.W. Foster+) | 6:58 AM
1 Comments:
What it means is they have chosen to walk apart.
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