Posted on 04/21/2006 8:24:12 PM PDT by sionnsar
Kicking things around with the Guardian's Stephen Bates, Frank Griswold really hopes that California doesn't cause him ECUSA any more trouble:
The leader of the US Episcopal church, which is in danger of being expelled from the worldwide Anglican communion for its election of an openly homosexual bishop, has warned parishioners of the diocese of California that they would widen the confrontation it they chose another gay bishop.
In a fortnight’s time the diocese, centred on San Francisco, will choose its next bishop from six candidates, three of whom are gay.
Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, Frank Griswold, presiding bishop of the US church, said: "The diocese needs to respect the sensibilities of the larger communion. It will note what is going on in the life of the church and make a careful and wise decision. It will then be up to the house of bishops to give or withhold their consent. Given what has happened over the last three years, I think there will be increased sensitivity."
Because Frank would really be bummed out if Frisco California elected a homosexual and his church was shown the Anglican door.
Bishop Griswold said: "It would sadden me greatly if there was a real break in the Anglican communion, because we are members one of another and share a common baptism. All of us would be diminished if any part of the communion was expelled.
ECUSA would be particularly diminished, what with it no longer being "historic" and turning into an insignificant American sort-of Protestant sect and not getting any more invitations to foreign meetings in cool places like Canterbury and all. Frank thinks it's a goshdarned shame we're even still talking about what Robbie likes to do in his off hours.
"I am very aware that issues of poverty, disease and civil war are life and death issues of the sort we should be concentrating on, not our preoccupation with a particular manifestation of sexuality. I think it is possibly the work of the Evil One, making us fixate on sexuality rather than the more urgent things of the world."
If you get a charge out of lying about or stealing from people or if you regularly enjoy doing your secretary and/or your neighbor's hot daughter when your wife's not around, I really don't think God's going to be all that impressed by that time you raised awareness of world poverty. But that's just me.
Aware that the crisis has been fuelled - and worsened - by some Internet bloggers and the speed of communications, Bishop Griswold said face-to-face talks with Dr Williams were important: "We both live under stresses and strains, and it is important not to have second-hand communication, to meet face to face. It enables me to hear his concerns and he can hear some from me. He knows ECUSA [the Episcopal church] very well and we have known each other for years but what he is probably most aware of are some of the more angular expressions of concern from various factions in our church."
I don't know whether to be offended or delighted by the fact that Frank thinks "that the crisis has been fuelled - and worsened - by some internet bloggers and the speed of communications." To a certain extent, he's absolutely right. Many of us in the independent Anglican punditry posted analyses of strengths and weaknesses of the Windsor Report and the Newry primates statement the day both were released.
And I suppose Frank thinks that "the crisis has been fuelled - and worsened - by some internet bloggers" because sites like this one, Binky's, Kendall Harmon's, Wannabe(Newbie)Anglican's, the Captain's, Brad Drell's, anthill's and countless others have given orthodox Anglicans a voice they otherwise wouldn't have had. All these sites analyze statements and demand explanations and no longer take the facile pronoucements of the hierarchy at face value.
But "some Internet bloggers?" "Some Internet bloggers?!!" Would one lousy mention kill you, Frank? I immortalized you in my book Frank and I(buy two or three; they make great gifts). Doesn't that mean anything to you? I have feelings, man.
Asked whether he still supported Bishop Robinson’s election, Bishop Griswold said: "I am keenly aware of the difficulties [it] caused. I can understand the churches that opposed, but at the same time I have to respect the people of New Hampshire in their choice.
"To have abstained would have been meaningless and, assent to his election having been given, it would have been very odd for me not to attend his consecration."
Translation: yes but I'm not going to come out and say that directly since we'll get run if I do.
Griswoldian circumlocution. There's none finer in the world. I hope you have a long, healthy and happy retirement, Frank.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Posting the requisite Griswold picture!
Ummm... that doesn't look much like Frank Griswold. (I am guessing there might be some actor surnamed Griswold...? Disclaimer: There are lots of "famous" actors I've never heard of.)
Nonstop bad stuff.
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