Posted on 05/19/2004 9:50:29 PM PDT by ahadams2
CANADA: Seven ex-gay clergy and laity to make stand at General Synod
By David W. Virtue
VANCOUVER (5/17/2004)--Seven ex-gay, celibate homosexual clergy and laity from across the Anglican Church of Canada will make a public stand at General Synod for celibacy or sexual relations within heterosexual marriage.
They have written a letter which will be read by a bishop, saying that they were all once active homosexuals but some are now celibate homosexuals; others have become heterosexuals.
“We all have our stories of redemption from slavery to our flesh. We represent a much larger group than the signatures that appear on this paper. We are united in our commitment to the authority of Holy Scripture, and we reject the resolutions regarding the blessing of same-sex unions sent by the Council of General Synod to General Synod, 2004. We believe that facilitating the blessing of same-sex unions, without listening to the stories of God’s transforming power in our lives, is to act irresponsibly, and without weighing all the facts.”
The seven said that to pass these motions would be to betray and marginalize "those of us who have come under the authority of Scripture and entered into a process of exodus from the homosexual lifestyle".
“As members of the Church, we are witnesses to God’s Holy Spirit and his transforming power. We look to the Church for pastoral care and moral direction, subject to the authority of Scripture, which would empower us in the ordering of our relationships. It is not loving for the Church to encourage us to live in slavery to this mortal flesh. Instead, we look to the Church to empower us to draw closer to God by offering our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing unto God.”
The seven said their voices have been silenced in the Anglican Church of Canada.
“You have not paid heed to us. Today, we ask that you would not betray us by passing these motions allowing for the blessing of same-sex unions within the Anglican Church of Canada without first weighing our voices and hearing our stories. We ask that you would table these motions and commit yourselves instead to listening to our voices before making any move as a Church. Let us all acknowledge the love and lordship of Christ who makes all things new.”
The group cited the passage from the Book of Revelation: "Behold, I make all things new." Revelation 21:5
“Whether we are celibate homosexuals or now ex-gay, what we all share in common is that through Grace, we have been called into a new existence in Christ - to offer our bodies as living sacrifices - holy and pleasing to God.”
The Rev. Dawn McDonald of Holy Cross parish in Vancouver is appealing to all celibate homosexuals and ex-gays to identify themselves by signing the letter.
The signers include: Rob Goetze, Diocese of Edmonton; Michel Schnob, Diocese of Ottawa; David Colpitts, M. Div, Diocese of Toronto; The Rev. Don Alcock, Diocese of Huron; The Rev. Stephen Emery, Diocese of Huron; The Rev. Dawn McDonald, Diocese of New Westminster; The Rev. Mario Bergner, Diocese of Quincy, (born in Thetford Mines, Quebec).
END
Ping.
Ping.
Let their voices resound and be heard.
An important and certain-to-be ignored group. Their lives don't fit neatly into the notion of "sexual orientation," so they must be marginalized and silenced.
God bless them!
'An important and certain-to-be ignored group. Their lives don't fit neatly into the notion of "sexual orientation," so they must be marginalized and silenced.'
They also stand at odds with the liberal agenda of the leadership of the church. Recall that their Episcopal brethern to the south consecrated a practicing homosexual as a bishop.
Homosexual Agenda Ping - Great news! I wonder how much play this will get in the MSM?
I like this statement:
****The seven said that to pass these motions would be to betray and marginalize "those of us who have come under the authority of Scripture and entered into a process of exodus from the homosexual lifestyle".
And this one:
****"It is not loving for the Church to encourage us to live in slavery to this mortal flesh."
Simple, clear, true.
Let me know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.
This is indeed the news we need to broadcast everywhere and to everyone.
Thousands have left the homosexual lifestyle.
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