Posted on 11/10/2005 8:19:18 AM PST by sionnsar
Liberal Episcopal respect for diversity courtesy of Progressive Episcopalians of Pittsburgh:
On the second and concluding day of its annual convention, the Diocese of Pittsburgh found common ground bridging theological fault lines as a large majority voted in favor of a resolution celebrating womens ministries and the 30th anniversary of the decision to admit women to the order of priests in the Episcopal Church. Efforts to postpone indefinitely consideration of the resolution were defeated, though the original resolution was amended before final passage. The amendment, proposed by the Rev. David Wilson, a member of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes, gave additional recognition to the views of those opposed to the ordination of women. The change was unacceptable to some of the resolutions sponsors, but the resolution passed anyway.
The resolution designates 2006 as a year of celebration of womens ministry in the diocese, during which the diocese is to make special effort to encourage women in the discernment of their calls. Speakers in favor of the resolution came from a cross-section of the diocese, reflecting the two-year effort of the sponsors to craft a resolution that was broadly acceptable. Proponents pointed out that, although Bishop Robert W. Duncan favors ordination of women, very few women in the diocese are currently on the path to ordination. Conservative speakers who support womens ordination wanted the Pittsburgh diocese to go on record as supporting the practice, independent of the personal views of any particular bishop.
The victory was bittersweet for those who had proposed the resolution. Sponsors had hoped for unqualified affirmation of womens ordination and opposed the amendment as undermining that affirmation by saying that the diocese equally respects those who do not hold this same theological position [supporting womens ordination].
If you are an orthodox Christian still in ECUSA, you need to understand something. There will come a day when acceptance of practicing-homosexual bishops and priests will no longer be voluntary.
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