Posted on 11/05/2005 2:49:05 PM PST by NYer
Gene Robinson, the world's first openly gay bishop, said that Pope Benedict XVI's attitude toward homosexuals might be boosting membership of the Anglican Church in the United States.
"We are seeing so many Roman Catholics joining the (Anglican) church," said Robinson on a visit to London. "Pope (Joseph) Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) may be the best thing that ever happened to the (US) Episcopal Church."
Robinson, whose appointment in 2003 as Bishop of New Hampshire has been deeply divisive for Anglican Christians around the world, added: "Let's keep our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in our prayers".
"I cannot imagine how discouraging it would be to have a church hierarchy doing what it does.
"I find it so vile that they think they are going to end the child abuse scandal by throwing out homosexuals from seminaries. It is an act of violence that needs to be confronted."
Robinson's comments referred to The Vatican's recent ban on ordaining gay men, even if they accept a vow of celibacy, in a bid to tackle a series of child sex abuse scandals.
Earlier this week, the Anglican Church's highest-ranking cleric, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, was urged to ban Robinson's attendance in London.
Some evangelical groups and religious conservatives claimed the visit would cause "further misunderstanding and upset" within the Anglican community.
Williams allowed Robinson to appear but asked the 58-year-old not to wear his full vestments or take part in the religious service, which celebrated the 10th anniversary of Changing Attitude, an organisation for gay Christians.
During the service, at St Martin-in-the-Fields church, in Trafalgar Square, Robinson was given a standing ovation after stating that homosexuality and Christianity were not mutually exclusive.
"We (homosexuals) belong in the temple. It is exactly where God wants us to be," he said.
Robinson's appointment -- and other moves like those of a Canadian diocese to bless same-sex unions -- have been vehemently opposed by more conservative Anglicans, particularly those in Africa.
Failure to reconcile the two sides could see a schism in the 70-million-strong worldwide Anglican community, church leaders have warned.
Vicki Gene Robinson -- an open homosexual since 1986, when he divorced his wife with whom he had two daughters -- has been consecrated as the first openly homosexual bishop in the Episcopal Church USA. As Robinson's male "partner" of 14 years and his ex-wife and daughters stood beside him, the denomination declared that he could speak for God.
I'm gonna be sick !!! why waste the time with posting such mortal sin issues?
Later read/ping.
Could I get that in writing?
Yes! Let's help him along by emailing this article to the following:
Perhaps you didn't read the article all the way through! This is good news! (for Catholics)
Ping!
"We are seeing so many Roman Catholics joining the (Anglican) church," said Robinson on a visit to London. "Pope (Joseph) Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) may be the best thing that ever happened to the (US) Episcopal Church."
If they are leaving because of Pope Benedict you can have them. However, if anyone wants to leave the Episcopal church because of this "guy", you are welcome home to the Catholic church.
Fine, take all the Catholic fags to the Anglican Church, pronto. The sooner the better.
Indeed, this is good news for Catholics.
Of course, he didn't give any numbers of the rise of membership in the Anglican church - because it isn't happening.
Average Sunday Attendance figures have now been released by ECUSA. These figures for the year 2004 - the first full year after Vicky's consecration - are WAY down.
"Average Sunday Attendance figures have now been released by ECUSA. These figures for the year 2004 - the first full year after Vicky's consecration - are WAY down."
The question to be wondering about is who will retain the church assets after the expected breakup.
Maybe we can get all of the lavender mafia to join the Anglicans!
The Episcopals probably began slipping in 2002 when ECUSA's endless debates and politicking on sexuality began supplanting Christ's message. Reasonale people saw the writing on the wall, thet there would be no middle way. The big drop off happened after they went into formal heresy with Robinson's ordination and subsequent activism far beyond his role as bishop. That was the fishbone in the gullet of the laity that they couldn't swallow and couldn't cough up. The decline will accelerate. The only question is who the Episcopal church will be forced to merge with as they become extinct over the next 20 years, and how many of their old and lovely churches are renovated into condos. They don't have too many consolidation choices either: most churches which took a vote on the truth are dying. Perhaps they can consolidate with the Unitarians or UCC and prolong their careers till their pensions kick in.
Pope "Ratzinger"????????
What an arrogant, disrespectful little faerie queen this creature is!
So....
We get their orthodox Christians coming into the Catholic Church....
...and they get our homosexual-affirming pagans....
...I feel a little guilty.
;-)
An act of violence??! Oh, and what Gene, pray tell, do you call the homosexual predation of young boys?
It's just a fad Gene, relax. When they see that you offer them nothing, this too shall pass.
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