I happen to think they actually pre-empted the conversation and the discussion. Now what I don't think should happen now [is] that the whole question of gay and lesbian people -- when we said we should listen to their experiences -- should now become the kind of dominant theological factor for the whole of the communion. Because really the communion, at the heart of it, has got to do a number of things.
Read moreThe action MacIyalla and others are urging is clearly intended to punish Nigeria, and is also directly linked to the stance of the Church of Nigeria. Far from distancing itself from this approach and urging 'listening', it seems that Changing Attitude in Nigeria is at the forefront. And, of course, Davis MacIyalla has the full support and encouragement of Changing Attitude in England, as can be seen from their website.
Read more"That self appointed Martin Luther of our glorious new anchorless age, Jack Spong, nailed his Twelve Theses to the Internet in 1998 while claiming to launch a New Reformation
(See: http://www.dioceseofnewark.org/jsspong/reform.html )
For instance, if my local grocery store runs out of duck confit, there is no doubt in my mind that this is because Bush has allowed the store's employees to live in deplorable conditions without universal health care-thereby causing them all to call in sick last Wednesday. Do I even need to mention the effects of global warming on ducks?
Read moreAs the discussions grow longer, the probability of a comparison with Bishop John Shelby Spong becomes inevitable. The comparison may be unjustified or incorrect but as debates rage, the invocation of Jack Spong becomes inescapable.
Read moreYou and I are both senior priests and theologians of the Episcopal Church with experience of the wider Anglican Communion. That grants us a certain standing to be heard, but obviously not as the voice of God. I agree with you that at the end of the day discerning God's will is our common aim and prayer. But it is also the case, to paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, that the prayers of all cannot not be equally answered.
Read moreOne day when I was ranting and raving about how much of the Nicene Creed I didn't believe, he said 'well, when you're in church, just say the parts of the creed you do agree with. Be silent for the others. We're not asking you do so something against your integrity'. And again I thought whew, that's what one would hope for from a religion - honesty and integrity.
Read moreI respond as one baptized some 72 years ago by a priest of TEC, and as one confirmed by a Bishop of that Church some 60 years ago and ordained by the same Bishops some 46 years ago. I write also as one who had the privilege of viewing TEC for some ten years as one of its missionaries serving in The Church of Uganda. I write also as one who worked closely with both Archbishops Janani Luwum and Erica Sabiti during a good part of that period.
Read moreIn an interview with TIME magazine, Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori remarked, "We who practice the Christian tradition understand him (Jesus) as our vehicle to the divine. But for us to assume that God could not act in other ways is, I think, to put God in an awfully small box."
Read moreSo I want to share with you where my mind has come to rest as I approach the end of my pilgrimage on earth and it is - God wants His people to become like Christ. Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God.
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