07/14/2009
Episcopal Bishops Vote to End Moratorium on Gay Clergy
Bishops at the convention of the Episcopal Church voted Monday to open “any ordained ministry” to gay and lesbian clergy, the NY Times reports:
"The resolution passed on Monday was written in a way that would
allow dioceses to consider gay candidates to the episcopacy, but does
not mandate that all dioceses do so. A similar measure was
passed on Sunday by the church’s other legislative body, the House of
Deputies, which is made up of lay people and clergy. On Tuesday, the
bishops’ version will likely go back to the House of Deputies for
reconsideration."
The BBC adds: "The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams - who is head of the 70-million-strong worldwide Anglican Communion - said it "remained to be seen" whether the vote by the House of Deputies - made up of clergy and lay people - would be endorsed by the US Episcopal House of Bishops. 'I regret the fact that there is no will to observe the moratorium in such a significant part of the church in North America,' he added."
Said Integrity USA President Rev. Susan Russell: “There is no question that today’s vote in the House of Bishops was an historic move forward and a great day for all who support the full inclusion of all the baptized in the Body of Christ.”
Posted 8:33 AM EST by Andy Towle in Anglican church, Episcopal Church, Gene Robinson, News, Religion | Permalink
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The conservative elements in the Church see this as a sign of degeneracy, but they don't want to hear that it is a brave step forward. They cannot believe that these good Bishops really WANT to maintain full communion with their Anglican brothers and sisters all over the world, and do NOT want to impair, impede or harm the Anglican Communion in any way. But the call of the gospel, and the whispers of the Spirit are simply too strong to ignore now, and at the risk of being ostracized from within the Church, they said "YES" to full inclusion. Right Reverend Fathers and Mothers in God, thank you for your Apostolic Witness.
Posted by: clint | Jul 14, 2009 12:19:39 PM
Just a point of information. While the recent action did state that all ordained ministries were open to glbt folks, it'd didn't really change anything for ordained priests and deacons. There was no temporary moratorium on the ordination of priests and deacons -- only bishops. 'Episcopal' means bishop, and bishops have a great importance in our church. Since there's no Pope to overrule them, they have great authority and power. Hence the willingness to hold a moratorium on ordaining gay bishops for a bit -- in a failed attempt to offer an olive branch to the conservatives. But as a gay priest who was ordained during the moratorium (and no, to the friends that have read your blog header and expressed concern, I'm not unordained or anything. Still a priest!) it was only ordination to the episcopate that was under the moratorium. And now, God be praised, that is over!
Posted by: Mark from NYC | Jul 14, 2009 3:47:35 PM
Homosexuality is still WRONG if you are an Episcopal. Welcoming gays is just a business decision.
Posted by: Brian | Jul 15, 2009 12:18:36 AM
Vicki Gene is a Fraud. He knows that Episcopalians still make homosexuals wrong, sinful and deviant. Being "gay friendly" isn't enough. Change the official doctrine. Anything short of that doesn't really matter.
Posted by: Religion = Weasels | Aug 12, 2009 9:21:00 PM