AP: Episcopalians REJECT Ban on Gay Bishops

[DeepModem Mom]

Episcopalians Reject Ban on Gay Bishops
By RACHEL ZOLL AP Religion Writer
© 2006 The Associated Press



Delegates listen to the debate as the Episcopal General Convention tried to decide Tuesday, June 20, 2006 in Columbus, Ohio whether they should bar gays from serving as bishops for now. Delegates are considering a moratorium to appease fellow Anglicans angry about the 2003 consecration of the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Episcopal clergy and lay delegates Tuesday rejected a demand from fellow Anglicans that they temporarily stop electing gay bishops, leaving little chance the proposal could be revived at a national church meeting.

Anglican leaders, angered by the 2003 consecration of an openly gay Episcopal bishop, had asked the Episcopalians pass a moratorium -- at least for now -- on homosexuals leading dioceses.

But in a complex balloting system, a majority of the Episcopal House of Deputies voted against a measure that would have urged dioceses to refrain from electing homosexuals to lead them. Conservatives complained that the measure stopped short of a moratorium, but supporters argued it would have set a moral standard for the church and would have signaled that the American denomination understood the concerns of Anglican leaders.

Northern Indiana Bishop Edward Little, who was on the committee that drafted the measure, said prior to the vote that if deputies did not approve the legislation it would be almost impossible to resurrect. "That would be the end," he said....

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/3987204.html

[rodeodance]

1. good, they are so so ahead of our elected congresscritters (in general)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. This was, I'm sure, difficult for many, but I feel

they did the right thing, for as I recall, Jesus rejected NO ONE who came to be His follower.

I am glad they followed their hearts; it is there that Jesus dwells.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. We know little about him, but if we know one thing...

it is that, as you say, he rejected no one.

[Warpy]

4. Good for them.

I knew there was a reason I keep sending Catholic believers who are totally disgusted with Rome over to them.

[Biernuts]

13. 'Bout time we got credit for more than ruling the usa! n/t

[and-justice-for-all]

5. Finally, a Christian sect that....

Is actually doing the right thing....Those people have not right to judge anyone, if they are true believer in God then it should be left up to God.

[TrogL]

6. Caption - "Please, Lord can we let this drop once and for all"

[Critters2]

11. That was my thought, too. n/t

[cyberpj]

7. I'm proud to be an Episcopalian today! Good work. nt

[DeepModem Mom]

8. Our whole family -- proud Episcopalians! nt

[MassLiberal]

14. Ditto!

Proud of the church that I chose to join.

[JerseygirlCT]

9. Just keeps getting better, doesn't it? nt

[pelagius]

10. Woo hoo! Another proud Episcopalian checking in...

...and let's hear it for our brothers and sisters in the Prebyterian Church USA -- who just opened up ordination to GLBT people who wish to serve God in that church!

[dsc]

12. A great job by a great church

I hope they don't lose too many members over this.

[Rowdyboy]

17. We'll lose a few, but they're the ones you don't mind losing....

Hypocrites who claim to be Christians anger me. I'm so proud of my church today!

[dsc]

25. You have a right to be

sadly mine still lags behind but we might catch up soon.

[annabanana]

19. Sadly, this will most likely cause a serious rift

in the Anglican Communion. The Asian, Mid Eastern & African members of the Communion are much less what we call inclusive. The Societies are not in the same place as America even with the treatment of women, nevermind the gay population.

Our tradition of the "via media" (leaving off dealing with difficult and divisive issues to revisit them years hence) has kept us together for a long time. The insistence of the conservative members of the Communion to force the issue here and now is what is causing the rift, not the natural inclusiveness of the Episcopal Church in America.

[dsc]

24. I know it is going to be a rough time ahead

and I know that in some elements blaming gays will become a bit more acceptable. Maybe this situation can be saved, but I honestly doubt it.

[Demeter]

15. Not Meaning to Lord It Over You, But the UU's Did It First!

Just the facts, folks.

[DeepModem Mom]

16. Feel free to "Lord," Demeter! nt

[ruggerson]

20. The Church of Christ

has also done it.

But the Episcopal church has always been ahead of the curve on these kinds of issues, in no small part due to Bishop Spong, who, imho, is a living Saint.

Congratulations, well deserved, to all Episcopaleans today!

[Sgent]

28. Church of Christ????

The Universal Church of Chirst (UCC) has done it, but the Church of Christ is more conservative than the Southern Baptists.

Many congregations won't even let women wear pants. Much less allow for women pastors. I doubt an openly gay person would be allowed as a member, much less a pastor.

[pelagius]

29. United Church of Christ...

...(or the Congregationlists) are a very progressive denomination. The Disciples of Christ are another fairly reasonable denomination. The Church of Christ you're thinking of is very fundy.

Christ! There's just too many churches claiming the name of Christ!

[leQ]

35. wasn't the church of christ the ones who ran the ads

that showed the bigotry of other churches with a bouncer at the door? or was it episcopaleans?

[ruggerson]

37. yes, it was the UCC n/t

[Sgent]

38. No

the "church(s) of Christ" are very different than the UCC -- United Churches of Christ. The UCC is the denomination that has recently run commercials about inclusion.

The church(s) of Christ are extremely fundamentalist (to the right of Southern Baptists). Most don't believe in wearing makeup, pants on women, women with children working outside the home, etc.

Their "shtick" is that they (as a church) try to follow exactly whats in the Bible. For instance, there is no musical worship mentioned in the Bible, therefore any music at services is wrong. They (like other literalists) tend to pick and choose what they pay attention too.

[ruggerson]

36. United Church of Christ

otherwise known as Congregationalists.

[young_at_heart]

18. Would Jesus "bar" gays from serving?

Gays are people......period. They should NOT be barred!

[Zhade]

21. Word.

This atheist approves!

[Mr_Spock]

22. Wow! Religion actually being acepting of all people?

What's up with that?

[ismnotwasm]

23. A step in the right direction

This is wonderful, wonderful news.

[Canuckistanian]

26. Isn't Shrub Episcopalian?

At least on paper?

[DeepModem Mom]

27. He was brought up Episcopalian, and his parents still are. He became...

a Methodist, I think, when he married Laura, who is a Methodist.

[saigon68]

33. He is a Fundamentalist Nut-Job

[DeepModem Mom]

34. Officially a Methodist; in reality, just as you say, s68. nt

[xchrom]

30. ...

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[huskerlaw]

31. Yay!

:woohoo:

[closeupready]

32. Having entertained the idea of lving. the RCC, maybe THIS is the church

for me. :)