From the Washington Post:
The battle over homosexuality in the Episcopal Church is over. The vote at the last General Convention was overwhelming. The sacred unions of gay and lesbian people are to be blessed and enfolded into liturgical patterns in the same way that the sacred unions of heterosexual people have been honored for centuries. The ministry of this church is to be open to gay and lesbian people who are qualified and chosen in the process by which this church makes such decisions.
I'm not quite as optimistic as Bishop Spong. We know the outcome of the battle, but, sadly, the battle is not over. We have a way to go.
However, I agree with him in his final words.
I am proud of the Episcopal Church and I am sure that if either the Diocese of Los Angeles or the Diocese of Minnesota elects one of the homosexual persons nominated, it will be because the delegates believe that this is the best candidate for the position. If that action offends homophobic Christians then so be it. I want my church united in truth. I do not want to be part of a church united in homophobia or one that pretends it can preserve unity by excluding any group of human beings.
Yes.
I'm proud of us too, although there's a ways to go like you say. I like Bishop Spong. I don't always agree with him, but I like him.
ReplyDeleteAmelia, same as you. I like him, but I do not always agree with him.
ReplyDeleteNext Sunday, our adult class will begin viewing another in the DVD series "Living the Questions". Bp. Spong is one of the speakers in the series. You may be familiar with it.
I had heard about this statement, and I think he's overly-optimistic. That's like saying racism ended with the election of Obama. It's helped push us forward on that score, but racism isn't over. Homophobia isn't over, but the Church has moved forward, and for that I am thankful to God.
ReplyDeleteI am holding all the various dioceses in my prayers, and am not expecting any outcome except the one that best suits the people to be served. Let's keep saying the prayer in your sidebar, Grandmere.
SCG, yes. And that reminds me that I need to add Minnesota and Los Angeles to the prayer.
ReplyDeleteSpong always thinks about two decades ahead of the church.... I'm glad for his optimism... and yes, we have a long way to go. My diocese is proof of that!
ReplyDeleteWith battles still happening in dioceses such as South Carolina and Springfield, and so many that will still allow only "celibate homosexual" clergy, or no queer clergy, the issue is hardly settled.
ReplyDeleteThis is the same arrogance (or lack of thought for those out of our own narrow vision) which is reflected in the decline of Integrity membership in those dioceses that have 'won' the battle because they do not feel the need to continue the fight. I hope that we do not extend this disinterest in a broader vision by forgetting others in the Anglican Communion beyond TEC as well, and not just on this issue.
ell, I hope that the lagging membership takes a lesson from secular CA: we had marriage equality and we LOST it.
ReplyDeleteMovement forward may be interspersed with steps back.
I hope we won't give up. I hope that we won't forget those in the Network dioceses. We should not even think about having won. Long term, things will go our way, but not yet.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Margaret is right. Spong is a visionary, and there's nothing wrong with that either, but this is not the time to relax and let down our guard.
I think Spong is a prophetic voice. While all the struggles are not over, he sees what will be. I do believe that GC was a tipping point.
ReplyDeleteAll these doubting Thomases, ..if anything is certain it's that Time Marches On, ..and out goes the OLD and in with the new, ..and the ACNA is a new name but sooooo OLD SCHOOL and antiquated in it's so-called beliefs.
ReplyDeleteIn the Net age people expect instantaneous results, ..when they don't come, people become impatient and agitated and insist this or that, .....when in reality as short as 6 months things start to change.
I hate seeing the divisions in the communion, but as a UK Anglican the dishonesty and hypocrisy of the Church of England leaves me more and more ashamed as time goes on. I even think the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is less about respecting privacy and more about not wanting to acknowledge the reality of LGBT Christians. This gives the message that people are not valued, shameful, not fully acceptable,embarrassing or - at best- inconvenient.
ReplyDeleteIt is no way to treat human beings.
Two Auntees, GC09 was definitely a tipping point.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I agree. In the long view, it looks good.
Sue, welcome. I'm pleased that the Episcopal Church moved forward at GC, but there are still a good many dioceses in the US church where the bishops will not ordain partnered gays and lesbians, nor will they permit them to serve as priests and deacons in their dioceses.
It is no way to treat human beings.
Exactly. The basic message is go back in the closet. Stay out of sight. We know you're here, but let's all pretend you're not.
Our former Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said it well, "There are no outcasts in this church." That is not the reality quite yet in the Episcopal Church, but it is very much an ideal to keep ever before us.
Thanks for visiting.
It was Ed Browning who made the comment about "no outcasts," but we still get to claim the motto from on of our PBs.
ReplyDeletePaul, what a mistake! I was there at the Integrity Eucharist when they honored Bishop Browning. How could I do that? Thanks for the correction.
ReplyDeleteAll the PBs run together in my mind....
LOL!