From The Living Church:
The Anaheim Statement endorsed by 34 bishops at the close of the 76th General Convention in Anaheim, Calif., has added two more bishops to its list of supporters.
The Rt. Rev. Charles E. Jenkins, III, Bishop of Louisiana, and the Rt. Rev. Harry W. Shipps, retired Bishop of Georgia, have endorsed the letter affirming their loyalty to the Anglican Communion in the wake of the adoption of resolutions C056 and D025 ending the moratoria forbidding the consecration of partnered gay clergy as bishops and the authorization of rites for the blessing of same-sex unions.
However, Bishop Jenkins also was one of the bishops who voted against D025 but in favor of C056. He later said he voted for C056 because his colleagues had responded well to his plea for graciousness. “I felt I was honor-bound to vote for it because these bishops had done what I had asked them to do," he said. " I felt that the process was a ray of hope for The Episcopal Church.”
I was pleased that Bishop Jenkins was not included in the original list of those who signed the Anaheim Statement, and I'm sorry to see his name added to the list, although I know that he still supports the moritoria.
Mark Harris says of Bishop Jenkins, "I for one am sorry that Bishop Jenkins s retiring, although I believe he is right to do so. He is an amazing man and a fine Christian."
I second Mark's words wholeheartedly. Bishop Jenkins retires at the end of the year. I shall be sorry to see him go, although I believe he will remain in the neighborhood. I hope so.
Another name added to the list is The Rt. Rev. Harry W. Shipps, retired Georgia.
H/T to Mark Harris at Preludium.
Mimi -- I was impressed by +Jenkins response to the process.
ReplyDeleteI just screwed up my response to the process in a Vestry meeting -- a much smaller version of the GC.
Somehow we must do a lot of prayer.
And my prayer is that I learn not to snort in response to a presentation in Vestry.
SusanKay, I was impressed by Bishop Jenkins' response to the process, too. He acted throughout GC with grace and generosity.
ReplyDeleteWe all screw up, and indeed, we must pray. I had my moments in vestry meetings, too, although I don't think that I ever actually snorted. ;o)
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteI left my thoughts on Harry Shipps over at Preludium.
I was shocked not to see his name on there before.
"He later said he voted for C056 because his colleagues had responded well to his plea for graciousness."
ReplyDeleteI remember when he first said that. I thought it was odd then, and still think it is odd to vote in favor of something because of an entirely unrelated matter. The behavior of the voters was not the issue being voted upon.
Mike, the bishop's vote was not the deciding vote. He raised the count by one for the opposing side because of their graciousness. That's fine by me.
ReplyDelete