Pray For The Episcopal Diocese Of Albany

From the Times-Union in Albany:

ALBANY -- The Episcopal Diocese of Albany is weighing changes to local church law that will likely touch off fresh controversy around homosexuality and marriage issues when they come up for a vote next month.

One resolution mandates that only a person who is in a heterosexual marriage or "celibate and abstinent" can be eligible for ordination as a priest or consecration as a bishop. Another holds that only heterosexual marriages can be celebrated or blessed in the diocese -- and marriage between a man and a woman is the only kind of union permitted on diocesan or parish property.

Clergy and lay delegates will vote on the proposals during the 19-county Albany Episcopal Diocese's annual convention June 6-8 in Speculator. The debate comes at a time of renewed national attention to gay marriage in the wake of a California Supreme Court decision allowing it.
....

"The national church has gone off the rails," said Torre Bissell, a lay person who runs a diocesan intercessory ministry and has asked on a blog that people pray for passage of both measures.

The Schenectady computer consultant added, "I don't know that there's ever been any place in Scripture where marriage was not between a man and a woman. It's always been between a man and a woman, and the current culture is trying to change that."

Some liberal upstate Episcopalians are marshaling opposition to Albany's new marriage and clergy proposals. They see the latter as an attempt to bar gay clergy and argue that it conflicts with national church policy against discrimination. They also say the abstinence requirement is unenforceable and would encourage dishonesty.

I wonder about the phrase "celibate and abstinent". Why are both words necessary?

I can't envision a loving God, the God that I know and love, demanding that two people of the same sex, who love each other faithfully, never express that love physically. I can't see it. I know of all the citations in the Old Testament that seem to indicate same-sexuality is always wrong. I have read them and pondered them. The Old Testament calls for the punishment of stoning for non-virgins, for virgins who commit adultery, and for disobedient sons. Do we follow those laws today?

I am also aware of the passages in the New Testament. I know that certain Scripture scholars interpret them as not being specifically about same-sexuality, but about other matters, such as prostitution. I say again that I don't need those citations repeated to me in comments, because I have read them already, and I have prayed and thought about them. In addition, Jesus never mentioned same-sexuality. The Gospels are my touchstone, my guide, my light along the way, and there is nothing in them about same-sexuality.

My conclusion is that same-sexuality is, in itself, neither good nor evil. It is neutral. What's important is the nature of the relationship between the two people. Is the relationship loving and faithful? In that context, I simply do not believe that same-sexuality is wrong.

Of course, many disagree with me, which they are certainly free to do. But is this a matter of such importance as to divide the church? I don't think so. I am willing to live in a church with those of you who disagree with me. Why not the other way around? Why aren't you willing to live with me?

Please join me in praying for the convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany and for Bishop William Love.

UPDATE: H/T to Fran at FranIAm. Sorry I didn't give you credit first time around, Fran.