Episcopal Church Takes Steps Toward Progress
Filed under: Gay Gay Gay
On Monday, the Episcopal Church moved towards affirming their acceptance of gays and lesbians in all ministry positions despite opposition from Anglicans in the rest of the world.
Bishops at the Episcopal General Convention voted 99-45 for a statement which reads that "God has called and may call" to ministry gays with life partners.
In 2003, the US denomination of the Church consecrated the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. The action, of course, incited protest, and "conservatives and other like-minded traditionalists formed a rival national province called the Anglican Church in North America." No other Episcopal bishops living openly with same-sex partners have been consecrated since Robinson.
The new declaration, however, aims to end that.
Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, who is on the committee who drafted it, said, "The constitution and canons of our church as currently written do not preclude gay and lesbian persons from participating. These people have responded to God's call."
[Image via AP Images.]
I love my church! +
Yeah!
I was raised Episcopalian and the church has always taught tolerance and acceptance of EVERYONE. Gay priests and parishioners weren't unusual when I was a kid. Progress isn't being made just now. It's always been there. The Catholic church has been the slow one.
I thought this was a celebrity gossip site.
Time for me to find a new religion
Perez,
I am still confused over how you feel entitled to speak progressively about LGBT issues. You sit in your comfortable condo, typing trivial blogposts, while your mother does your maid-work.
It's easy to be an "activist" behind the safety of your computer screen. But when you are faced with the slightest stressor - when you enter the real world, out from behind your safety net - you succomb to hate-filled insults. You throw around demeaning insults when you feel "threatened".
And isn't that the mark of someone's true character? Not how they behave in comfort, but how they behave in adversity.
Oh, but thanks for that "heartfelt" apology, issued from that comfy condo while your mother tends to your laundry.
Shame on you. You are not my voice, and not a voice of justice.
Sick.
Why is it that you never give credit to where you find these stories and news? Instinct and Towleroad were covering this way before it ended up on here, but not attribution? Is this your way of trying to make nice after pissing off the gay community?
omgawd
will wonders never cease
Thank you Bishops!
Re: smarter567 – What's to like about the way you position yourself in your posting?
OMG…i just might go back to church. Not the church of my childhood obviously
YAY this is good! I GUESS lol God sucks my wiener everynight anyways…
I LOVE being Episcopalian !! Its bascially the best thing ever (apart from a brand new pair of Jimmy Choos)
This kind of news makes me wanna go back to church
Churches should lovingly embrace all who wish to be there, and let God decide if there's any judging to be done later.
Gene Robinson has completely ruined the Episcopal Church. The churches are now suing one another over land ownership and people are leaving the congregation in droves. The fact is Gene Robinson valued his sexuality over his church, his marriage and his family. What a guy! What a religious leader! Perez you really need to understand the depth of this issue rather than just looking at the GAY aspect once again. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at your lack of understanding of anything beyond your own agenda.
I don't even want to think of my priest giving it or taking it up the butt with another man as he offers me Holy Communion.
I think I'll not go to church because now it's even weirder.
YAWN!!!
THIS ISN'T JUICY GOSSIP!!!
Seriously, people just don't get it and I really feel sorry for those that don't.
Re: xiolableu – Until your church is ruined financially and spiritually you can't possibly understand. Maybe you should talk to his ex-wife and the hundreds of people who are living through this by losing their religious roots. YOU have no idea. They don't need your pity, but I'm sure that you would be the first to expect understanding and that is all that they (we) are asking.
i love episcopals
That's awesome! It's about time the church modernized and realized that God should be accessible to ANYONE who wants to have him in their life. Amen!
Re: CuddlyCarla –
Yeah, because God should conform to man's lowered and sinful standards. You are a fool and someday soon you will be made to realize just how much of a fool you truly are; but woe to men like Gene Robinson who have led and continue to lead people like you astray and all so he can live in open defiance of God's established standards.
Perez is my go to guy on juicy celebrity gossip. For queries regarding Christ and clergy requirements, maybe people should actually read the Bible (including certain members of the Episcopal Church). First Timothy chapter 3 is a good place to start.
Gene Robinson will forever be remembered as the man who split the church over sexuality. Had he cared more about God and his Episcopal faith than his sexual behavior, he would have declined his office and continued his own life without imposing it upon others.
About time…evolve or dissolve. Never understood why folks need a middle man to talk to the Godhead.
Re: byte_me – You don't understand his position. There is no "middleman" needed in the Episcopal faith. He is not seen as the only conduit to God, he is clergy. However, his faith and moral conduct should come first in order to be a spiritual leader.
Glad I'm Mormon.
Re: pdxgirl – I don't blame you! Could you maybe take this guy off our hands
?