Posted on 01/13/2005 12:50:32 PM PST by sionnsar
[Background, as I understand it: The House of Bishops meeting has ended, and they have chosen to issue a "pastoral letter" as opposed to a "statement"; as one commenter noted, the former allows them to avoid making any declarative statements or assertions. Apparently the letter is titled "A Word to the Church," but I have not seen a copy of it yet.
However, the "network bishops" have issued their minority report, which follows in the comment section below. --sionnsar]
The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA), meeting in Salt Lake City January 12-13, 2005, issued “A Word to the Church” regarding the Windsor Report 2004. While the letter referenced regret for the crisis resulting from decisions at General Conventions 2003, the House failed to address the Windsor’s Report’s call for moratoria on election/ordination of non-celibate homosexuals as well as the blessing of same sex unions, choosing instead to consider that issue at its March meeting.
Requesting a moment of personal privilege, Bishop Robert Duncan, Moderator of the Anglican Communion Network (ACN) and Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, noted that “the Episcopal Church USA often uses ‘graceful’ language but our behavior (‘the politics of power’) contradicts the words.”
In light of the House of Bishops failure to issue a definitive statement on moratoria and to submit to the Windsor Report as asked by the Communion, a group of bishops have issued “A Statement of Acceptance of and Submission to the Windsor Report 2004.” Currently, 21 bishops have signed this statement and more signatures are expected in the future.
“The Primates meet in February to receive and respond to the Windsor Report, and they will consider a variety of ingredients in their deliberations,” said Bishop Edward Salmon, Diocese of South Carolina. “The response of the House of Bishops did not rise to level expected by the Communion. We heard a call for submission, and we who are unequivocally prepared to submit have responded accordingly.”
Bishop Duncan also cautioned the bishops assembled about the destructive nature of power politics. “The majority has the power to coerce the minority and even put us out, but in so doing, they ensure their destruction. We represent the vast majority of church planters, growing churches, missionaries, the Global South, and the largest seminary in the US (Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry).
Summary:
Point one. We are sorry that you were offended.
Point two. We want to stay in communion with you.
Point three. We promise to study the substantive issues until you forget about them or come to see that we were right all along.
You may very well be right. At any rate it is an attempt to make people think that there is genuine lay involvement. I can only imagine that if there were legitimate canvassing of the laity on this issue, the HOB would have to shut down.
But then, they will never consider that. And I thought the Romans were 'top-down'.
LOL! Somebody has a tin ear..
I think you're nailed it, newheart.
A difficult choice. In my case it was a move to a new locale, but I stumbled into a Continuing church.
Given the insidious nature of this letter produced by no less than the House of Bishops of ECUSA, I consider this to be the test. If the worldwide Anglican Communion doesn't censure ECUSA next month then I will be certain the wwAC is weak, toothless, in full communion with heretics -- and best given a wide berth.
Very succinctly put! Thank you.
"We note here that our decision-making structures differ from those in many parts of the Anglican Communion and that our actions require conciliar involvement by all the baptized of our church, lay and ordained. Therefore we as bishops, in offering our regrets, do not intend to preempt the canonical authority of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church."
They now claim it's all an issue having to do with a supposed ECUSA democratic process, and that General Convention has to make the decision.
Where was General Convention when the House of Bishop unilaterally ratified Vicky Jean's ordination two years ago?!?!? Why didn't they say then that they couldn't make such a deicion without first getting General Convention's agreement it is fine to make a homosexual adulterer a bishop?
I think we have just witnessed the split of the Episcopal Church.
"In light of the House of Bishops failure to issue a definitive statement on moratoria and to submit to the Windsor Report as asked by the Communion, a group of bishops have issued “A Statement of Acceptance of and Submission to the Windsor Report 2004.” Currently, 21 bishops have signed this statement and more signatures are expected in the future.
“The Primates meet in February to receive and respond to the Windsor Report, and they will consider a variety of ingredients in their deliberations,” said Bishop Edward Salmon, Diocese of South Carolina. “The response of the House of Bishops did not rise to level expected by the Communion. We heard a call for submission, and we who are unequivocally prepared to submit have responded accordingly.”
Bishop Duncan also cautioned the bishops assembled about the destructive nature of power politics. “The majority has the power to coerce the minority and even put us out, but in so doing, they ensure their destruction. We represent the vast majority of church planters, growing churches, missionaries, the Global South, and the largest seminary in the US (Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry)."
"I think you're nailed it, newheart."
Yeah. I just wish it was not the case.
Say it ain't so, Joe.
In reading the Statement of Acceptance of and Submission to the Windsor Report 2004, are the bishops (including my bishop, Don Wimberly) signing the statement basically telling ECUSA that they disagree with the direction they are taking the church?
If that's the case, things could get even more interesting.
Well, they've certainly laid the grounds for it. If neither ECUSA nor the Anglican Communion split over this... there's absolutely nothing left worth fighting, or praying for, IMHO.
You have it right. They're also calling on the Anglican Communion to take ECUSA to task (or more).
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