Posted on 11/07/2003 11:09:08 AM PST by ahadams2
A Statement of the Anglican Church of Tanzania concerning the consecration of the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson as Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in the United States of America
1. The Anglican Church of Tanzania hereby issues a statement opposing the action of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) in consecration the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson, who is a homosexual, to the episcopate on the 2nd of November, 2003. We declare that this is against the revelation of the Word of God and against the mind of the Anglican Church world wide as expressed in the Lambeth Resolutions.
2. This statement of our Church springs from the fact that:
i. The Anglican Church remains obedient to the Word of God, that only a lawful union between a man and a woman constitutes marriage. This is the basis of the human family.
ii. The Anglican Church of Tanzania believes that homosexuality is contrary to the teaching of the Word of God. It is a sin.
3. Notwithstanding the fact that the Anglican Church of Tanzania warned ECUSA against consecrating Rev. Canon Gene Robison, a homosexual, as Bishop. ECUSA went ahead and consecrated the man to the episcopate on 2nd November 2003.
4. Besides, although the Primates of the Anglican Church worldwide who met in London mid October,2003, asked the Presiding Bishop of ECUSA to advise the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson not to accept the consecration to the episcopate in the Church, this advice has been ignored.
5. The act of consecrating a homosexual to the episcopate in the Church is contrary to the revelation of the Word of God and pastorally very damaging. It amounts to the legitimization of sin instead of recalling the sinner to repentance. It has to be condemned unreservedly. This must be so because a Bishop is a leader of the Church and his lifestyle should witness to the ethics of the Gospel.
6. Because ECUSA has gone ahead and consecrated a homosexual person to the episcopate in the Church, The Anglican Church of Tanzania, hereby resolves and states:
a. We do not recognize the Rev. Gene Robinson to be a bishop of the Church nor shall we recognize any homosexual person who may be consecrated in future;
b. We shall not recognize the Ministry of Rev. Canon Gene Robinson as a Bishop of the Church because he is not;
c. We declare that, henceforth we are not in communion, namely, Communion in sacris, with:
i. Bishops who consecrate homosexuals to the episcopate and those Bishops who ordain such persons to the priesthood and the deaconate of license them to minister in their dioceses;
ii. Bishops who permit the blessing of same sex unions in their dioceses;
iii. Gay priests and deacons;
iv. Priests who bless same sex unions.
7. The Anglican Church of Tanzania recognizes that there are within ECUSA Bishops, priests and faithful people of God who are opposed to the consecration or ordination of homosexual persons in the Church of God. The Anglican Church of Tanzania assures them of her solidarity, support and unity and of her heartfelt desire of remain in communion with them in the unity of the true Christian faith.
8. The Anglican Church of Tanzania, therefore, resolves and states that:
a. It remains in communion with all faithful people of God in ECUSA; Bishops, priests and laity who oppose homosexuality and who uphold the orthodox faith of the Church and the preaching of the Anglican Church as contained, for instance, in the Lambeth Resolutions;
b. It asks ECUSA to make available to these who are opposed to the ministry of homosexuals to have access to pastoral care elsewhere. The Anglican Church of Tanzania is willing to offer such pastoral care, if requested to do so, in accordance with the guidelines issues by the Primates of the Anglican Communion.
The Most Reverend Donald Leo Mtetemela; Archbishop and Primate; The Anglican Church of Tanzania
I think this one-a-day thing is partly by design, to keep the heat on Rowan Williams.
My jet-lagged brain is having difficulty with this. The Anglican Communion as a world-wide communion of individuals? Is there some place I can apply, undergo examination, etc.?
I think I'm way too jetlagged to take it any further tonight. I'll try to pick this up tomorrow.
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