Posted on 10/20/2005 3:06:32 PM PDT by sionnsar
My gracious lord of Canterbury may, in fact, be that stupid:
Plans are being made for Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to meet the Anglican communions most controversial cleric, Gene Robinson, the gay bishop of New Hampshire, for the first time when he visits London next month.
The Guardian understands that Dr Williams has no objection to meeting the bishop whose consecration two years ago convulsed the 70 million-strong worldwide communion, outraged church conservatives and strained relations with the Vatican. No appointment, however, has yet been arranged.
But a meeting with Bishop Robinson would exasperate conservative evangelicals and primates from the developing world who see the bishop as a satanic influence.
Actually, Stephen, they see him as an unrepentant sinner who got a pointy hat from a crypto-Unitarian church. Since you write for the Guardian, no one expects you to understand the distinction
His consecration in November 2003 was described by the conservative American Anglican Council as a "grievous day" in the churchs history and denounced by the Archbishop of Kenya, who said: "The devil has entered our church."
Dr Williams is due to attend a meeting of bishops from the developing world in Egypt next week.
At which, Dr. Williams may get a question or two about this meeting.
The Rev Rod Thomas, spokesman for the conservative evangelical group Reform, said: "Anything which appears to be going further in the direction of a liberal agenda is likely to exacerbate the crisis facing the Anglican communion. The archbishop must not appear sympathetic to those who have caused the crisis."
The Very Rev Colin Slee, dean of Southwark, said: "I think it is critical that Rowan meets him. This is a guy who has been legally, canonically, elected according to the statutes of his church and for the archbishop not to speak to him would be a major injustice."
Or may well dynamite the Anglican Communion well before Lambeth 2008.
Sigh. Is there any light at the end of this very long tunnel?
Light? You're catching me at a down moment: I'm just hoping for an end to the tunnel.
Yes, there is light at the end of the long tunnel - it is called the appearing of our great Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ at the last day. GIve what state the world is in, I look for his imminent coming. MARANATHA!!!!!
I understand.
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