Posted on 11/06/2005 11:31:58 AM PST by Heatseeker
The first openly gay Anglican bishop, Gene Robinson, has called for the Roman Catholic church's attitude to homosexuals to be confronted.
The Bishop of New Hampshire said the Vatican's ban on ordaining gay men was "vile", in a speech in London.
He received a standing ovation after his speech, in which he spoke of how he had faced prejudice in his role.
Some Anglican conservatives had called for the St-Martin-in-the-Fields church venue to be changed to a secular one.
Battle for soul of church
Bishop Robinson said: "We are seeing so many Roman Catholics joining the church.
"Pope Ratzinger may be the best thing that ever happened to the Episcopal Church."
He continued: "I find it so vile that they think they are going to end the child abuse scandal by throwing out homosexuals from seminaries.
"It is an act of violence that needs to be confronted."
His speech at St-Martin-in-the-Fields, in Trafalgar Square, was part of the 10th anniversary of the gay rights group Changing Attitude.
He had been asked not wear his full vestments or take part in the religious service before addressing the audience from a lectern rather than the pulpit.
"I'm here to encourage you to talk about God," he said.
"I am not here to talk about a social agenda. I am not here to grind any axes, I am here to do the thing that Christians do, that is to witness to the good of God."
'Full inclusion'
The London Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship, which includes senior lay and clergy members, had urged the Archbishop of Canterbury to move the Bishop's talk to a secular venue to prevent "damaged relations" between sections of the church.
The Bishop said his home state in the US was "the one place in the world where I am not the gay bishop - I'm just the bishop... it is a wonderful feeling".
He said homosexuals would eventually be fully welcomed in the church but warned that it may take some time.
"This is going to end with our full inclusion," he said. "We won't live to see it, but it's going to happen."
Church rift
On Thursday the New Hampshire bishop met Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and said he wanted to help heal the rift caused by his consecration, but would not give up his post.
His conscecration two years ago attracted widespread criticism from the more conservative African and Asian sections of the church.
Changing Attitude is an organisation which calls for the Anglican Church to "fully accept, welcome and offer equality of opportunity to lesbian, gay and bisexual people".
He is due to address a congregation in Stockport later on Sunday.
I thought when he was installed he said he wouldn't push an agenda?
I wonder what the Episcopaleans would think if Rome called for Catholics to confront the Anglican bishop?
Oh yeah...that'd be "hate speech," huh?
Gee, the radical Episcopalians are certainly not full of ecumenical respect these days. This is of a piece with the lack of respect for religious freedom of the gay activists.
Why doesn't he go after the 'church' that really has a problem with 'gays'? ISLAM!
FYI
This disgusting offense to Christianity isn't fit to carry the Pope's jock strap.
Vicky should STFU and ruin one church at a time.
If the RC ban is resulting in more Episcopalians, then what is he complaining about?
Perhaps he's just jealous, and wants to be Pope Vicki.
Bishop Robinson said: "We are seeing so many Roman Catholics joining the church.
Then what in the heck is she complaining about if soooooooo man Roman Catholics are joining the church? She should be happy. Oh wait, she won't be happy until they ALL join her church. Don't hold your breath there vicki
"Bishop Robinson said: "We are seeing so many Roman Catholics joining the church...Pope Ratzinger may be the best thing that ever happened to the Episcopal Church."
who is joining Robinson's Church? Andrew Sullivan? The elites in the Episcopal Church should stick to doing what they do best. Excusing terrorism and bashing Israel.
Henry the VIIIth is turning in his grave, for what he wrought.
All sinners are welcome in the church.
But those who declare sin is a virtue don't belong in an organization who's values they don't believe in.
Much less in positions of leadership.
Do they actually hold services at St. Martin-in-the-Fields? I've never noticed anyone actually worshiping there. They do have a decent, inexpensive cafeteria in the basement, and there are candle-light Baroque concerts in the nave on Thursday nights. Oh, and brass-rubbings. You can make rubbings of brass-relief (pun intended) figures in the gift shop.
But in light of the fact that more Catholics attend Mass on Sunday than Anglicans attend their respective services - in a country where Anglicanism is (still) the established church, I'd say we RC's needn't feel compelled to take "bishop" Vicki's "advice" seriously. (The Brompton Oratory is usually packed on Sunday morning.)
Bnelson44 asked, "I thought when he was installed he said he wouldn't push an agenda?"
Well, Robinson lied, and nobody really thought he meant a word of it. I think that is the biggest problem with the church that first ordained him, and then called him a bishop.
Henry VIII did not create the Anglican Church.
It was originally the Celtic Church, joined the Roman Catholic Church under St. Augustine, was constantly a pain the the ass to Rome (it was generally in favor of de-centralization of authority and freely tranlated the Bible into English, among other heresies), and was in the process of breaking back off when Henry hitched his wagon to the running horse.
He's not "Anglican." He's Episcopal.
While there used to be no difference, the Anglican Church is in the process of kicking the Episcopals out of the Anglican Communion. . . and the conservative congregatiosn are leaving ECUSA.
Example:
christchurchmidland.org (a former Epsicopal Church).
I was re-writing this story to shorten it down to it's basic points and I came up with:
Homosexual attacks Catholic Pope's Stand
BBC | November 6, 2005
A homosexual has called for the Roman Catholic church's attitude to homosexuals to be confronted.
The homosexual said the Vatican's ban on ordaining gay men was "vile".
That was the entire story - it showed nothing of consequence or importance - the rest of the article was only so much pap. I erased it all.
These things that homosexuals do are simply repulsive to the core.
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