From The Lead:
A special session of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has been called to discuss the church's position on the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" currently before the Ugandan Parliament. The meeting will be conducted via conference call on the afternoon of December 7, according to numerous sources.
Special sessions of Executive Council can be called by the Presiding Bishop or, as in this instance, by a petition signed by at least nine members of the council.
Council members have been discussing the Ugandan issue informally among themselves for more than a month. Some members of the council were eager for the church to join 17 human rights organizations and the Anglican Church of Canada in condemning the bill, while others argued that such action would do more harm than good.
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! It's about time. It's way past time.
...while others argued that such action would do more harm than good.
? ? ? ? ?
If the Episcopal Church speaks against the bill, what more harm could come to LGTB Ugandans than the provisions in the bill that call for them to be locked in jail or sentenced to death?
I don't get the hesitancy - except for the "9" who called for the meeting - the rest seem to have swallowed the kool-aid
ReplyDeleteAnn, I don't get it either. What is there to discuss over a month-long period? Just do it.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think these people would call for a special meeting in order to decide whether to use a garden hose or a fire extinguisher to put out a brush fire.
ReplyDeleteI don't get why it has taken so long either.
ReplyDeleteMike, that's good.
ReplyDeleteIt´s absolutely insane...these folks are posturing in order to be prepared to talk about ¨basic¨ life and death matters on a CONFERENCE CALL? Unfortunately my mind goes directly to the ¨scheduling secretary¨ of KJS who probably is under strict orders to keep things tidy and keep all the ¨ducks in a row.¨ Afterall we´re fasting and hanging in crucified places and it´s hard to jump on a CRITICAL ISSUSE and be spontaneous about protecting/serving Gods children when self-absorbtion comes first.
ReplyDelete'bout damn time!
ReplyDeleteLeonardo - a conference call is as effective as a f2f meeting and much quicker to organize than 40 schedules. The $ saved can go to program - it is about $2000 per person to fly everyone to a meeting. I don't care how it is done - as long as they do it.
ReplyDeletebtw - I guess 15 signed the "call for a meeting" notice.
ReplyDeleteAs I said before I think the fear is that some people in Uganda might feel they should support the bill just because the TEC comes out against it given the denigration of the TEC and especially the PB by many in the Church of Uganda.
ReplyDeleteWhether the fear is justified, I don't know. Given the statements on the GayUganda blog, I think the TEC does need to make a statement. It would be far stronger if as many bishops as possible including the conservatives join in (I mean if we can have Exodus come out against the bill surely the conservative bishops will sign on).
Pity no one probably reading this blog can put effective pressure on the breakaway bishops to whom the Church of Uganda is more likely to listen.
Erp, if we get tied up in knots about every "what if" we won't do anything.
ReplyDeleteThere is a danger here and I am not sure I think the special meeting is a good idea. If the cowardly lions prevail, we could see the presiding bishop declaring Uganda a crucified place. ;;sigh;;
ReplyDeleteFWIW
jimB
Jim, I don't think that will happen, but if it does, then we must stir up a shit storm. What is the alternative to the meeting? Silence? That's unacceptable.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm all for having the meeting by conference call rather than flying folks to a meeting. As Ann says, the money saved can better be used for other purposes.
I'm often accused of bringing up too many what ifs :-).
ReplyDeleteIf the PB can bring the TEC conservative bishops to join an united protest, it would be worth the delay till December.
Has Gene Robinson spoken publicly on this yet?
Erp, I want an official statement from our church against the draconian Ugandan bill. If conservatives can be brought on board, fine. But if not, proceed anyway.
ReplyDeleteObama's pining for bi-partisanship is in the same category. That's great if he can get it, but if he can't, then don't let the lack of bi-partisanship block action.
I don't know whether Bishop Gene has issued an official statement or not.