Seven Anglican Priests Face Charges

ACiNW listserv - will be posted to ACiNW website ^ | 27 October 2003 | staff writer

[ahadams2]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 27 October 2003

Media Release-ANGLICAN COMMUNION IN NEW WESTMINSTER

Seven Anglican Priests Face Charges

VANCOUVER, CANADA - The Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster has pressed ecclesiastical charges against seven clergy whose congregations oppose the blessing of same-sex unions.

The clergy serve congregations representing about 23 percent of the weekly attending population of the Diocese of New Westminster. In March 2003, their congregations voted by an overwhelming majority to accept the pastoral oversight of the Rt. Rev. Terry Buckle of the Diocese of Yukon.

The charges, identical for all seven clergy, include disobedience to the bishop, contemptuous or disrespectful conduct towards the bishop, schism, conduct causing scandal, and "otherwise offenses against the lawful authority of the bishop". The Rt. Rev. Michael Ingham, bishop of New Westminster, has appointed a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the charges.

Ecclesiastical proceedings are rare in the Anglican Church of Canada. Charges against a group of seven clergy are believed to be unprecedented.

Each minister received a list of charges and a list of citations supporting the charges. Most of the citations relate to opinions allegedly expressed in letters, to their congregations, to the media, and in private meetings. Some of the citations relate to comments allegedly made in support of Episcopal oversight for themselves and their congregations. Others relate to alleged statements that the diocese was acting against Scripture or church tradition.

The charges claim that at least two clergy allegedly referred to the diocese as "schismatic," a term used in July 2002 by the former Archbishop of Canterbury to describe New Westminster's June 2002 decision to bless same-sex blessing.

Lesley Bentley, parishioner of St. John's (Shaughnessy) and spokesperson for the ACiNW, says many of the charges will lead to a chill on freedom of expression in the Canadian church. "The Diocese continues to say they respect disagreement on this issue. But if clergy aren't free to express their views without fear of ecclesiastical charges, I can't see how conscientious disagreement is possible in any Diocese."

The charges were filed on August 28, but announced on October 15, less than 24 hours before the 77-million strong Anglican Communion's senior archbishops issued a statement saying decisions on human sexuality by the Dioceses of New Westminster and New Hampshire threaten to "tear the fabric of our Communion at its deepest level".

The statement went on to recommend "adequate Episcopal oversight" for so-called dissenting minorities, in consultation with the Archbishop of Canterbury on behalf of the Primates. In May 2002, the Diocese of New Westminster offered an "Episcopal Visitor", a Canadian Bishop to provide short-term pastoral care to the conservative churches in New Westminster, but the Visitor would have no oversight or authority.

Charged are Rev. Stephen Leung, Church of the Good Shepherd; Rev. David Short, St. John's Shaughnessy; Rev. Barclay Mayo, St. Andrew's Pender Harbour; Rev. Simon Chin, St. Matthias & St. Luke; Rev. Silas Ng, Church of Emmanuel, Richmond, Rev. Dr. Trevor Walters, St. Matthews Abbotsford; and Rev. Ed Hird, St. Simon's North Vancouver.

[ahadams2]

Ping.

[ArrogantBustard]

The Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of New Westminster has pressed ecclesiastical charges against seven clergy whose congregations oppose the blessing of same-sex unions.

WTF????

[dangus]

"Disobedience? We heard what you directly told us to do, but we interpreted as a 'living command' so we decided to ignore it."

[ahadams2]

yes, precisely!:-/

the apostate bishop of the diocese of New Westminster has surrounded himself with people who think just like he does; and he doesn't believe 'practicing homosexual Christian' to be an oxymoron, no matter what the Bible says.

[VRWC_minion]

As said by the Bishop of Quincy... The fundamentalist's in the Anglican Church are those that treat canon law as inerant.

[ahadams2]

I like it!:-) Although ingham and his merry band of heretics don't have much of a sense of humor either, at least when it comes to dealing with Christians.

[N. Theknow]

In other news: Barrabas was freed on an overwhelming voice vote and Jesus is rejected and will die for nothing as sin no longer matters.

In light of this latest development, The Holy Eucharist will now be known as Refreshments.

Lay Readers are instructed that following their Scripture readings they will no longer say "The Word of the Lord" with a congregational response of "Thanks be to God."

Instead they will conclude their readings with "A Nice Little Story" with a congregational response of "Whatever."

[VRWC_minion]

We heard what you directly told us to do, but we interpreted as a 'living command' so we decided to ignore it."

We used the method of determinng the will of the Holy Spirit as set out by the last ECUSA convention. First, we prayed for 15 minutes on the idea of obedience. Then we prayed for 15 minutes on the idea of disobedience. The Holy spirit moved us and we decided to ignore your demands.

However, we are prepared to listen very carefully to your complaints and to mourn with you over your pain.

[VRWC_minion]

Lay Readers are instructed that following their Scripture readings they will no longer say "The Word of the Lord" with a congregational response of "Thanks be to God." Instead they will conclude their readings with "A Nice Little Story" with a congregational response of "Whatever."

Stop, my belly hurts.

[Grampa Dave]

The Canadians have lost it as a country and as a group of former good people.

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

the apostate bishop of the diocese of New Westminster has surrounded himself with people who think just like he does; and he doesn't believe 'practicing homosexual Christian' to be an oxymoron, no matter what the Bible says

Sadly, this disease is very contagious. Just look how quickly it crossed the border!

[ahadams2]

yes, and I fear we "ain't seen nothing yet" here in the States since I could easily name at least a half dozen ecusa apostate bishops who will make use of the ingham methodology for dealing with Christians as soon as they're allowed to do so.

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

Barrabas was freed on an overwhelming voice vote and Jesus is rejected and will die for nothing as sin no longer matters.

That's right. remember the liberal's Gospel:

"A God without wrath brought men without sin into a kingdom without judgement through the ministrations of a Christ without a Cross," H.R. Niebuhr, in The Kingdom of God in America.

[beelzepug]

"...they will conclude their readings with "A Nice Little Story" with a congregational response of "Whatever."

This would be so much more funny if it wasn't for my being able to actually hear it in my head. BCP, 2003 Revision?

[Eala]

That's the one part of the '79 that lives on in our '28 service, so you can always come visit if you want to hear it again. *\;-)

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP

[longtermmemmory]

and so the soddomites begin their crystal nacht.

[dangus]

>>>>We heard what you directly told us to do, but we interpreted as a 'living command' so we decided to ignore it."

>>>>We used the method of determinng the will of the Holy Spirit as set out by the last ECUSA convention. First, we prayed for 15 minutes on the idea of obedience. Then we prayed for 15 minutes on the idea of disobedience. The Holy spirit moved us and we decided to ignore your demands.

>>However, we are prepared to listen very carefully to your complaints and to mourn with you over your pain.

Now, please excuse us while we gloat for the cameras. If you don't vacate your church in 30 days, we'll have you arrested.

[NeoCaveman]

In light of this latest development, The Holy Eucharist will now be known as Refreshments. Lay Readers are instructed that following their Scripture readings they will no longer say "The Word of the Lord" with a congregational response of "Thanks be to God." Instead they will conclude their readings with "A Nice Little Story" with a congregational response of "Whatever."

I can see this happening and not just in Anglican churches, either.