Bishops of the Global Center uphold diversity

Declaration of the Anglican Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean (Global Center)
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:2-3

"By this all men would now that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

We the Anglican Bishops of Latin America and the Caribbean, who sign below, gathered in San Jose, Costa Rica from the 18 to 22 of May 2007, renew and ratify our position proposed in Panama, better known as the Global Center, in which we call the Communion to preserve its participative nature, diverse, ample and inclusive, characteristics which we consider essential to Anglicanism and at the same time our contribution to the Christian tradition.

Since our last meeting, our concern has grown because of the polarization regarding the biblical and theological positions manifested in the Anglican Communion, during the last years; positions known as Global North and Global South, non reconcilable in their character and putting the unity in the Communion at risk.

In the midst of this painful controversy, we do not identify with either side, because they don't fully represent the spirit of our thoughts.

It has been proven in our relations that we greatly represent the plurality and diversity that are universal characteristics of Anglicanism and that we hold different positions on the themes that are presently discussed in the Communion. However, we have also experienced that the plurality and diversity we represent has become a rich source for growth, rather than a cause for controversy and division.

We unanimously express our determination to remain united as members of the same family and will continue to come to the Lord's Table, together.

We invite our brothers and sisters in the episcopate, as well as all the members of the Clergy and laity who identify with this vision, to join together and work for an effective reconciliation, interdependence and unity in the diversity of our family of faith and so preserve the valuable legacy of which we are guardians.

As disciples of Jesus, called to live out the mandate of love (St. John 15:17), we declare our commitment to be together and with all our strength, struggle for unity, as an act of obedience to His will expressed in the Holy Scriptures. Trusting that the Holy Spirit, whose descent we are about to celebrate on the Feast of Pentecost, will guide and strengthen us on such a difficult journey.

The experience of these few days confirms our conviction that, we will make it with God's blessings. Of this, we are sure and now we return to our dioceses comforted and full of joy and hope.

San José-Costa Rica, May 2007.

The Rt. Rev. Mauricio Andrade
Diócesis de Brasilia, Brasil
Primate

The Rt. Rev. Carlos Touché Porter
Diócesis de Mexico
Primate

The Rt. Rev. Martin Barahona
Diócesis de El Salvador
Primate

The Rt. Rev. Lloyd Allen
Diócesis de Honduras
Province IX President TEC

The Rt. Rev. Jubal Neves
Diócesis South Ocidental, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Naudal Gomez
Diócesis de Curitiva, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Sebastiao Gamaleira
Diócesis de Recife, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Filadelfo Oliveira
Diócesis de Recife, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Orlando Santos de Oliveira
Diócesis Meridional, Brasil

The Rt. Rev. Armando Guerra Soria
Diócesis de Guatemala

The Rt. Rev. Julio E. Murray
Diócesis de Panamá

The Rt. Rev. Héctor Monterroso
Diócesis de Costa Rica

The Rt. Rev. Lino Rodríguez
Diócesis del Occidente de México

The Rt. Rev. Benito Juárez
Diócesis del Sureste de México

The Rt. Rev. Francisco Duque
Diócesis de Colombia

The Rt. Rev. Alfredo Morante
Diócesis de litoral, Ecuador

The Rt. Rev. Orlando Guerrero
Diócesis de Venezuela

The Rt. Rev. Miguel Tamayo
Diócesis de Uruguay y Diócesis de Cuba

The Rt. Rev. Wilfredo Ramos
Diócesis de Ecuador Central

The Rt. Rev. Julio Cesar Olguín
Diócesis de República Dominica

The Rt. Rev. José Antonio Ramos
Retired Bishop

Read the whole story and find the letter in Spanish Here

NH Governor Signs Civil Unions Law

From AP reporter Beverly Wang:
New Hampshire Governor Signs Civil Unions Law

"We in New Hampshire have had a long and proud tradition taking the lead in opposing discrimination," Lynch said. "Today that tradition continues."

...

"I've listened and I've heard all the arguments," said Lynch, a Democrat. "I do not believe that this bill threatens marriage. I believe that this is a matter of conscience and fairness."

Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson was among those attending. Although his consecration in 2003 as the first openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church divided the worldwide Anglican union to which it belongs, Robinson and his longtime partner plan to take advantage of civil unions.

"This is not a radical departure," Robinson said of the bill. "This is a real confirmation of what New Hampshire has always been about: the freedom of its own citizens and fairness for everyone."

Robinson said he will not direct Episcopal priests in the state to bless same-sex unions, letting priests decide that individually. Such blessings have been another divisive issue for Episcopalians and the Anglican union.

"That authority belongs to them and I would not in any way ask them not to do that. ... Just like in marriages, every priest will have the option to bless or not to bless," Robinson said.

Read it all Here

Surgeon General Nominee Anti-Gay

From United Methodist Nexus

Bush Taps Judicial Council Head for Surgeon General
By Cynthia B. Astle

President George W. Bush has nominated Dr. James W. Holsinger, Jr., 68, currently president of the United Methodist Judicial Council, to become the nation's 18th surgeon general.


As word of the nomination spread, media outlets began raising questions about Holsinger's qualifications and past performance, along with questions of continued cronyism on the part of President Bush,...

A Kansas City, KS, native, Holsinger has a Ph.D. in anatomy and a medical degree from Duke University, along with a master's degree in hospital management from the University of South Carolina. He also has a master's degree in biblical studies from multidenominational Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY.

Although trained in general surgery and cardiology, and described in President Bush's announcement as a cardiologist, Holsinger has no national board certification in any speciality, according to the web site of the American Board of Medical Specialities.
...
Staunch anti-gay leader

In The United Methodist Church, Holsinger rose to national prominence through his membership on the 1989-92 churchwide Committee to Study Homosexuality. He resigned from the committee shortly before the 1992 General Conference in Louisville, KY, because he said the committee's report was "skewed toward liberal interpretations" of homosexual orientation andbehavior. At the time, Holsinger declined the committee's invitation to be included in a minority report on the subject.

Since that time, Holsinger has consistently supported forces in the denomination opposed to the acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. He has served previously on the board of the Indianapolis-based Confessing Movement within The United Methodist Church, a 15-year-old unofficial organization dedicated to "preserving the apostolic faith", according to a statement on its web site. Current Confessing Movement board members include Asbury Seminary chancellor Dr. Maxie
Dunnam and layman David W. Stanley, also a director of the Institute on Religion and Democracy.
...
During Holsinger's term on the Judicial Council, the church's "supreme court" has ruled consistently against acceptance of homosexual people. In 2005, the council upheld the defrocking of Rev. Beth Stroud, a lesbian, affirming the church's prohibition against ordaining GLBT people. Also that year, the Judicial Council set off a wave of debate in the church by siding with a Virginia pastor who refused membership to an openly gay man in Decision 1032. Several annual conferences this year have adopted resolutions challenging the views expressed in Decision 1032.

Read it all HERE

MCC Moderator Speaks Out On Lambeth

Statement by MCC Moderator on the exclusion of Bishop Gene Robinson
from the list of invitees to the Lambeth Conference May 31st, 2007

On the Exclusion of Bishop Gene Robinson from
Participation in the Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Communion
by Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches

Quoting from her letter:

Bishop Robinson is to be commended for his courage in practising the truthfulness and fidelity he has long preached. As an obviously gifted and qualified church leader, he should be held in high esteem for responding unhesitatingly to God’s call to serve the Church. In a church culture of whispers, secrets, silence and avoidance, Bishop Robinson’s stand of truthfulness distinguishes him.

In light of Archbishop Rowan’s decision, I commend to you the words of Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd, who guides MCC’s work in the United Kingdom: “How tragic that thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Anglicans have been shunned by the Archbishop’s decision. Even more tragic is that many of these will understand this as God’s rejection. Perhaps most tragic of all is that at a time when a united Church could call the world to peace, work for justice, feed the hungry and heal the suffering, it instead divides itself according to internal political agendas.”

Likewise, I echo the words of Rev. Elder Diane Fisher, who oversees MCC’s ministry and commitment to human rights across Eastern Europe: “To deny Bishop Robinson full participation in the Lambeth Conference seems to be a response to the political agenda of some conservative members of the Anglican Communion. Bishop Robinson’s only “problem” appears to be that he loves another man. Jesus always stood with the marginalized and oppressed. Would Jesus have discriminated against Bishop Robinson? Would he have turned his back and stood with the angry mob? It is my sincere prayer that Archbishop Williams will reconsider his decision to exclude Bishop Robinson from participation as a full member of the Anglican Communion, including his presence at the Lambeth Conference. There should be no second class Bishops.”

I urge all people of faith to join me in praying for the Episcopal Church as it continues to wrestle with the question of inclusion. Pray with me for all our brothers and sisters across faith lines, to have the courage to honestly examine the issues of sexuality, including the racialization of sexuality, the history of colonial churches and sexual ethics.

The Church Universal must do this work together, in open and honest conversation, for God’s sake, and for the sake of all people around God’s earth who hunger for faith and spirituality. The exclusion of more and more leaders and members is a terrible and sad price to pay in exchange for avoidance of conflict. (And in your prayers, please pray for Metropolitan Community Churches, that we might never lose our God-given calling to lead by example, to stand with those who are marginalized and rejected, and to share the hope-filled message of God’s unconditional love for all people through Jesus Christ.)

The decision of Archbishop Williams is one that deserves the close scrutiny by all people of faith, for its heart, it serves to further alienate and divide the whole Body of Christ. I urge us all to pray, as Jesus prayed: “May they all be one.” (Gospel of John, Chapter 17)

+ Nancy

Rev. Nancy L. Wilson
Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches

Read is all HERE

UGANDA: Archbishop Orombi questions Lambeth Conference participation

By Matthew Davies, May 30, 2007

[Episcopal News Service] Anglican Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi issued a statement May 30 indicating that the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda will not attend the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Bishops, according to reports.

Orombi's statement comes in response to the recent announcement that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, had invited all but a "small number of bishops" to the 2008 Lambeth Conference, due to be held July 16-August 4, 2008 at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England.

Among those Williams did not invite were Bishops V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire; Nolbert Kunonga of Harare, Zimbabwe; and Martyn Minns of the Church of Nigeria-founded Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA).

In his statement, Orombi said that "all the American Bishops who consented to, participated in, and have continued to support the consecration as bishop of a man living in a homosexual relationship have been invited to the Lambeth Conference."

He recalled a December 9, 2006 meeting of Uganda's House of Bishops, which resolved "unanimously to support the CAPA Road to Lambeth statement," commissioned in 2006 by the Primates of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA), which states, in part, "We will definitely not attend any Lambeth Conference to which the violators of the Lambeth Resolution are also invited as participants or observers.'"

"These are Bishops who have violated the Lambeth Resolution 1.10, which rejects 'homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture' and 'cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions,'" Orombi's statement continued. "Accordingly, the House of Bishops of the Church of Uganda stands by its resolve to uphold the Road to Lambeth."

Orombi is the second Anglican Primate who has indicated in recent days that their province's bishops may not attend the Lambeth Conference.

Click here to read the rest.

Davis Mac-Iyalla Speaking in Chicago

Davis Mac-Iyalla, founder and leader of Changing Attitudes-Nigeria, will be speaking at two Episcopal Churches in Chicago next week, as part of his six week tour through the United States.

Monday, June 4, Davis will speak at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Chicago, 7:30 p.m. (4550 N. Hermitage Ave., Chicago, 773-561-0111, www.allsaintschicago.org)

Tuesday, June 5, Davis speaks at Trinity Episcopal Church, Highland Park, 7:30 p.m. (425 Laurel Ave., Highland Park, 847-432-6653, www.trinitychurchhp.org)

Davis will also preach at Trinity on Sunday, June 3, 10:00 a.m

Church Times Poll--Vote Now!

Should Dr Williams invite all canonically consecrated bishops — including Bishop Robinson — to the Lambeth Conference? Vote here.

Nigerian Gay-Rights Advocate Speaks Out to Episcopal Churches

By Lillian Kwon
Christian Post Reporter
Mon, May. 28 2007 10:27 AM ET
The Christian Post

An Anglican gay-rights advocate from Nigeria is currently visiting Episcopal churches across the United States on a speaking tour.

Davis Mac-Iyalla, founder of Changing Attitude Nigeria – the country's only gay-rights organization – spoke at Church of Our Saviour in Cincinnati, on Pentecost Sunday amid divisions in the Episcopal Church over homosexuality and Anglican tradition. Nearly two weeks into his six-week tour, Mac-Iyalla has visited three U.S. congregations and prepared a petition against the "persecution" of homosexuals in Nigeria.

Click here for the entire article.

Holy Spirit Didn't Get Memo

Here are a couple of Pentecost stories from Sunday's NY Times. Canterbury, it looks like the Holy Spirit didn't get the memo.

Thea Spyer and Edith Windsor

Thea Clara Spyer and Edith Schlain Windsor were married in Toronto on Tuesday. Justice Harvey Brownstone of the North Toronto Family Court officiated at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Read the rest of this great story here.


Mark Lewis and Dennis Winslow

The Rev. Mark Alan Lewis and the Rev. K. Dennis Winslow, Episcopal priests, were joined in civil union on Tuesday. The Rev. Tim S. Hall, also an Episcopal priest, officiated at the couple’s home in Union City, N.J., assisted by his wife, the Rev. Jacqueline Schmidt. Read the rest this great story here.

Holy Eucharist In Fort Worth

Integrity's national Board of Directors will be holding it's semi-annual meeting in Fort Worth on June 1st and 2nd. In conjunction with this meeting, Integrity/Fort Worth is sponsoring a Holy Eucharist on the Feast of Justin Martyr, June 1st, beginning at 8 pm.

The service will be held at Celebration Community Church, 908 Pennsylvania Avenue, in downtown Fort Worth.

All Integrity members and friends in the area are invited to attend.

Susan Russell On Air America's State Of Belief

This Week’s Show: Weekend of May 26-27

The strife within the U.S. Episcopal Church only got worse this week after a divisive decision by the Archbishop of Canterbury. We’ll hear from one coalition of Episcopalians who are worried about the precedent being set.

The Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy talks to the Rev. Susan Russell, President of Integrity, about Bishop Gene Robinson's exclusion from Lambeth. Click here for MP3 streaming audio. Susan's portion is just after the introduction.

Anglicans 'obsessed' by gay issue

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called on Africa's Anglican church to overcome its "obsession" with the issue of gay priests and same-sex marriages.

By Mike Lanchin
BBC News religious affairs correspondent
May 26, 2007

He said they should spend time on more pressing issues in the region.

Speaking to the BBC World Service, the South African bishop said Zimbabwe, HIV/Aids and the crisis in Darfur were not getting sufficient attention.

Zimbabwe's Anglican church also lacked courage to stand up to President Robert Mugabe's regime, he said.

This was the 76-year-old Nobel peace laureate touching raw nerves for the Anglican church in Africa on very sensitive subjects.

In his usual forthright manner, Archbishop Tutu told the BBC that the Anglican communion was spending too much of its time and energy on debating differences over gay priests and same sex marriages - a subject, he said, that had now become "an extraordinary obsession".

He said: "We've, it seems to me, been fiddling whilst as it were our Rome was burning. At a time when our continent has been groaning under the burden of HIV/Aids, of corruption.

Click here to read the rest.

Lambeth

Saturday May 26, 2007

By Tom Ehrich On a Journey

When the Archbishop of Canterbury pointedly excludes the gay Bishop of New Hampshire from the 2008 Lambeth Conference of all active Anglican bishops, he is saying two things, both of them unfortunate.

He is saying, first, that the long-standing Anglican tradition of finding the middle ground and humble submission to reality is being sacrificed to the surging ambitions of Global South prelates. The so-called doctrine of "adiaphora"--that some things matter more than others--is gone.

Second, Rowan Williams is saying that the escalating and not insignificant conflict between Third World and First World Christians, or between Global South and Global North, or between white-skinned former imperialists and their dark-skinned former subjects, is really all about sex and the need of African Christians to combat Islam, not on the basis of ideas, values or beliefs, but by matching extreme Islam's medieval attitudes toward sexuality.

Click here to read the rest. You must be an On a Journey subscriber to access the article. However, you can sign up for a free, 14-day trial.

Moscow police detain gay activists

MOSCOW, Russia (Reuters) -- Russian police detained gay protesters calling for the right to hold a Gay Pride parade in central Moscow on Sunday while nationalists shouting "death to homosexuals" punched and kicked the demonstrators.

Riot police detained gay rights activists as they tried to present a petition asking Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, who has called gay marches satanic acts, to lift a ban on the parade.

Nationalists and extreme Russian Orthodox believers held icons and denounced homosexuality as "evil" while a group of thick-set young men turned up with surgeon's masks, which they said would protect them from the "gay disease." (Watch angry opponents punch protesters )

"We are defending our rights," said a young gay man named Alexey, with blood pouring out of his nose after he was beaten up by a man screaming "homosexuals are perverts" opposite the mayor's office. His attacker was detained.

"This is terrible but I am not scared. This is a pretty scary place, a pretty scary country if you are gay. But we won't give up until they allow us our rights," he said.

Hundreds of riot police lined Tverskaya street in central Moscow and plain-clothes police mingled with a large number of foreign and Russian journalists.

Parade organizer Nikolai Alexeyev told Reuters by telephone from a police station that about 20 people had been detained, a figure confirmed by police.

"We are sitting in the police station right now. We were detained outside the mayor's office when we tried to present the petition," said Alexeyev.

Click here to read the rest.

Benefit Reception for Changing Attitudes Nigeria

Oasis/California is sponsoring a very special fundraising reception for Davis Mac-Illya hosted by Bishop Marc and Sheila Andrus at their home on Monday, June 25 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Click here for more information and to make a reservation.

Anglican Leader To Be Pressed On Gay Bishop

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: May 24, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET

Marc Andrus, the bishop of California has been vocal in his support for Bishop Robinson and his opposition to Peter Akinola, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Nigeria and the leader of a conservative faction opposing gays. Akinola also has been a leader in promoting legislation in Nigeria limiting the civil rights of gays.

"I will be seeking to learn how I can best be in solidarity with Bishop Robinson, through prayerful action," said Bishop Andrus this week.

"The tactic of isolation and exile being employed against Bishop Robinson is retrogressive behavior that moves us towards a past from which Christ is always seeking to redeem us. I ask the people of the Diocese of California to pray with me about our common life with all of God's people and the earth."

Next month Andrus will welcome openly gay Nigerian human rights activist Davis Mac-Illya to San Francisco, and they will march together with the church's contingent in the Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade.

"This is a defining moment for The Episcopal Church," says the Rev. John Kirkley, president of the California dioceses' gay and lesbian ministry.

"Our bishops must refuse to capitulate to those for whom the exclusion of gay and lesbian people is the criteria for membership in the Anglican Communion. My hope is that they will find a creative way to respond to Archbishop Williams that actually honors our Church's commitment to listen to the voices of lesbian and gay people around the world."

Click here to read the entire article.

Soulforce Launches Petition To ABC

According to the May 23, 2007, New York Times, Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, has decided to exclude Gene Robinson, the openly gay Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, from the Lambeth Conference, an important 2008 gathering of Anglican Bishops in London.

The archbishop of Canterbury is normally supportive of LGBT people, but appears willing to withhold Bishop Robinson's invitation in order to avoid schism within the communion.

The Lambeth Conference only happens once every ten years. In 1998, the bishops passed a resolution "rejecting homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture" and opposed the blessing of same-sex unions.

One Soulforce member had this to say in the forums:

"If the Archbishop will not reflect together with gay people on the faith they share with him, what hope is there of reaching any positive resolution? If he will not see us, how will he ever understand our heart and our humanity? If the Archbishop will not gather to pray with gay people, what hope do we have of finding welcome in that Church?

We have already met with Anglicans and given them our love, our talents, and our treasure. We are their organists, their singers, their readers, their faithful parishioners, and, yes, their rectors and their Bishops. We serve alongside everyone else, and in doing so we are doubly faithful; for knowing we are only half welcome, still we return. We kneel at the same altar, speak the same creed, make the same confession, pray to the same Father, and partake of the same bread and wine."

Help Soulforce take a stand for Gene Robinson by signing the following petition. A hard copy of the signed petition will be mailed to the archbishop's office:

Petition Text:

"I ____________ cannot accept that the way for faith leaders to deal with the tension resulting from an oppressed group of people's struggle for justice is to exclude both the oppressed and the oppressor from historic church gatherings--especially meetings of prayer and reflection.

I call upon the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, to do the right thing and invite V. Gene Robinson, Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, to the 2008 meeting in London."

Click here to sign the petition.

A reminder that Integrity has already launched its own letter-writing campaign. Click here for more info.

+Kirk Smith speaks out on invitations to Lambeth

From the Friday, May 25th "E-pistle" from Arizona Bishop Kirk Smith:

Certainly the Archbishop is within his rights to invite whomever he pleases. However, I cannot help but express my dismay that he would treat these men in the same way. Whatever you may think of Bishop Robinson, I do not believe that his manner of life has caused division or scandal in the communion, rather it is the actions of those who have used his ordination in an intentional effort to divide both our own Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion who are responsible.

Bishop Robinson's participation at the Lambeth Conference might be awkward for some of the other participants, but that is hardly new. There are plenty of bishops whom I have a hard time working with, and doubtless they feel the same about me. But I can tell you from my own relationship with Bishop Robinson that he has been exemplary in maintaining an honest and open attitude of trust within his own Diocese, and in the House of Bishops, he as worked tirelessly to be an agent of reconciliation and resolution.

That is not the case with Bishop Minns and his supporters. He has been aided in his efforts to divide the American church by African bishops who have crossed jurisdictional lines in open disregard of the most ancient canons of the church, but also in violation of the Windsor Report itself. They have attempted to steal the rightfully owned buildings and property of Episcopal Congregations in Virginia and elsewhere and have caused untold hardship and division to faithful parishioners.

It also seems to me remarkably odd that the Anglican Communion, which has pledged itself to a "listening process" of the experience of Gay and Lesbian Christians, should exclude from that process one of its leading witnesses.

Read the rest here.

Religion & Ethics Weekly Profile

From PBS's Religion & Ethics Weekly this week:

BOB ABERNETHY: There's a woman in San Francisco, Sara Miles, who used to be a journalist and an atheist. But she had a conversion experience and is now a leader in her church, where she feeds the homeless full-time. Lucky Severson reports.

LUCKY SEVERSON: It happens every Friday. Sometimes the line stretches around two city blocks -- people who are hungry, poor, some homeless, all struggling to make ends meet, waiting outside San Francisco's St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church.

Read the rest here ... and see also Matthew 25:35

Davis Mac-Iyalla In The Hudson Valley

Christ the King Episcopal Church
3021 State Route 213 East
Stone Ridge, NY 12484
www.ctkstoneridge.com

NIGERIAN HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST WILL SPEAK
TO LOCAL COMMUNITY, EPISCOPALIANS & HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS

On Friday evening, June 15th, Davis Mac-Iyalla, the founder and director of Changing Attitude-Nigeria, will visit Christ the King Episcopal Church in the Mid-Hudson Valley to speak out and tell his story of what it's like to be out and gay in his country and persecuted by his church. He'll be available to meet with local gay, lesbian and human rights groups. Changing Attitudes-Nigeria is a group working for basic human rights in Nigeria and the full inclusion of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transgendered) people in the Anglican Church.

This program starts with a Choral Evensong Service at 6:30 pm. Mac-Iyalla speaks at 7:15 pm, and a Reception and Italian Spaghetti Supper immediately follows in the Parish Hall - everyone is invited. There is no charge for this event, but a free-will offering will be taken to raise funds for Mac-Iyalla's tour, offset the supper costs, and to support his efforts in Nigeria.

Peter Akinola, the Archbishop of Abuja, is leading efforts to schism the Episcopal Church, and who's also actively promoting the intimidation and imprisonment of LGBT people by proposing and actively supporting draconian legislation in Nigeria. The controversial bill, entitled the "Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act", would imprison anyone who speaks out or forms a group supporting lesbian and gay people's rights, and would silence virtually any public discussion or visibility around lesbian and gay lives in Nigeria.

Mac-Iyalla has been repeatedly denounced by the archbishop's staff, which claims "There are no gay Anglicans in Nigeria." He was fired from his job as school principal, suffered ostracism from friends and family, was arrested and imprisoned, and threatened with kidnapping and death, besides being libeled by Anglican Church officials and denied communion. Further, he was forced to flee his home and now lives in exile elsewhere in Africa.

Currently, May-Iyalla is traveling across the U.S. visiting local LGBT community leaders, students and churches. He'll attend LGBT Pride events in San Francisco with +Marc Andrus, Bishop of California; and in NY meet with +Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, the first openly gay man elected to the episcopate in Anglican history. His visit here with us will immediately follow his address to The Episcopal Church's highest governing body, the Executive Council.

Mac-Iyalla's local visit is being sponsored by Christ the King and "The Daily Office" an Episcopal prayer website (dailyoffice.org), and also with help from our friends at the "Justice for All" Speakers Forum (allforjustice.org).

Everyone is welcome! To help our planning, we're asking you please make a reservation at our website www.ctkstoneridge.org or by calling 845-687-9414.

Please join us to hear, give witness and support Davis and his active mission for basic human justice for LGBT people in Nigeria, and in the Anglican Church.

Nigerian gay activist brings message to Episcopal Church

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, May 25, 2007

[Episcopal News Service] Nigerian Anglican Davis Mac-Iyalla, 33, founder of his country's only gay-rights organization, Changing Attitude Nigeria, has embarked on a six-week speaking tour of the United States.

Among his stops will be the Episcopal Church's Executive Council June 11-14 meeting in Parsippany, New Jersey. He will be an invited guest of the Council's National Concerns Committee.

Mac-Iyalla will visit about 20 cities and participate in 52 events before departing July 5 to attend the General Synod of the Church of England. His tour is being sponsored by dailyoffice.org which was founded by Josh Thomas primarily as a means of supplying the Daily Office of prayer to internet users.

Click here to read the rest.

Anger as gay bishop snubbed for Anglican summit

Thursday, 24th May 2007. 3:01pm
By: Ed Beavan
Religious Intelligence

CAMPAIGN groups have criticised the Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision not to invite an openly homosexual Bishop to the Lambeth Conference next year as 'intolerable' sending a 'damaging signal to faithful and honest lesbian and gay Christians worldwide'.

Responding to Dr Rowan Williams' exclusion of the Bishop of New Hampshire Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Bishop in the Anglican Communion, the Affirming Catholicism Group said this undermines the integrity of the whole conference.

Meanwhile Changing Attitude England, a group which campaigns for the rights of gay and lesbian Christians, described the move as a 'cruel exclusion'.

snip

The Rev Canon Nerissa Jones, Chair of Trustees for Affirming Catholicism, said the Lambeth Conference should reflect the diversity and range of theological opinions contained in the Anglican Communion, and called for Bishop Robinson to be included.

She said: "Although Bishop Robinson is only one bishop, his being excluded because of his openness about his sexuality sends a damaging signal to faithful and honest lesbian and gay Christians world-wide, and undermines the integrity of the conference."

Meanwhile the Rev Colin Coward, Director of Changing Attitude England, said he regretted the decision as Bishop Robinson 'represents tens of thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Anglicans. We have longed to see ourselves visibly represented at the next Lambeth Conference by a bishop who is an openly gay, faithfully partnered man'.

Click here to read the entire article.

St. Andrews flies flag for inclusion

By D'Anne Witkowsk
Originally printed 5/24/2007 (Issue 1521 - Between The Lines News)

CLAWSON, MI--Anyone who has ever driven by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Clawson and wondered whether or not the church was gay friendly need wonder no longer.

The church has made their support of the LGBT community explicit by flying a rainbow flag outside the church. The pole on the church's front lawn now includes three flags, the other two being the Episcopal flag and the American flag.

St. Andrew's vestry voted to allow the flag in April.

"I want people when they see the flag to know that we are a GLBT welcoming church and it is a place where people who have GLBT people in their family can attend and not sit in the pews and hear their loved ones being bashed from the pulpit," said Charlene Genther, whose partner Gloria Beaune is a member of the vestry. The couple have attended St. Andrew's since November 1994. Last year, Genther lost job her at Marion High School because she was a lesbian.

Pastor Harry Cook said the flag is "merely an outgrowth of what our church has believed forever."

Click here to read the rest.

Individual bishops respond to Lambeth Conference invitations announcement

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, May 24, 2007

[Episcopal News Service] Some Episcopal Church bishops have responded to the May 22 announcement that a small number of bishops have not been invited to the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

snip

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a brief statement that same day calling for "a calm approach" to the announcement and noting that aspects of the matter could change in the 14 months leading up to the July 16-August 4, 2008 gathering at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. She said that "the House of Bishops' September meeting offers us a forum for further discussion." Williams and members of the Joint Standing Committee of the Primates and the Anglican Consultative Council will attend that meeting.

snip

Ohio Bishop Mark Hollingsworth wrote in a letter to the diocese on May 22 that Minns and the Bishop of Bolivia were in the Diocese of Ohio the previous week to participate in an ordination in Akron. Neither bishop had "sought or received my permission to perform episcopal acts within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction for which I am responsible," Hollingsworth added.

Robinson's presence at the Lambeth Conference "might be awkward or difficult for some of the other participants, but that is hardly uncommon in Christian community," he said. "There are plenty of bishops whose presence in the councils of the Church I find difficult, and doubtless plenty who find mine the same. However, Bishop Robinson, throughout his ministry, has been unfailingly honest and open, consistently establishing and maintaining trust within the diocese he has faithfully served and throughout the Church. Time and time again he has been an instrument of reconciliation and resolution."

Hollingsworth wrote that he concurred with both Jefferts Schori's "sense of patience and her hope for productive conversations with the Archbishop of Canterbury in New Orleans this autumn."

Hollingsworth, who became a bishop the same year as Robinson, is meeting with him and the other members of that class this week in a previously scheduled gathering.

"Of course we will consider this recent news thoughtfully and prayerfully...seeking not to be reactive, but faithfully responsive," he wrote.

The complete text of Hollingsworth's letter is available here.

Washington Bishop John Chane wrote in a May 23 letter to his diocese that he was "saddened" by the news that Robinson would not be invited to the Lambeth Conference in his status as
Bishop of New Hampshire.

Chane wrote that Williams' failure to invite Robinson "will be a high priority in our time together" when the House of Bishops meets with Williams in New Orleans in September.

Chane wrote that the "real issue" facing the Communion is leadership.

"Until we are able to separate ourselves from our fixation on human sexuality as the root of our divisions and address the dynamics of power and leadership in the Communion, we are doomed to fail in Christ's call to engage the world in the act of inclusive love and a mission-driven theology that claims justice, the rule of law and the respect for human rights as the core of our work as a Communion," Chane wrote.

The complete text of Chane's letter is available here.

Click here to read the entire article.

Write to the Archbishop of Canterbury!

On May 22, the Archbishop of Canterbury announced (through a spokesperson) that the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson, the openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire, would not be invited to attend the Lambeth Conference in the summer of 2008. Integrity responded with a strongly worded press release.

The Lambeth Conference is still over a year away. It may yet be possible to persuade Rowan Williams to change his mind about inviting Bishop Robinson to Lambeth. Integrity encourages all of its members and friends to write the Archbishop of Canterbury about this issue...

Letters By Post

• First-class postage to England is currently $.90 for a 1-ounce letter.
• More expensive (but faster) postal options are available at your local post office.

Letters By Fax

• The fax number for Lambeth Palace is 011-44-20-7261-9836.

Sample Letter

[INSERT YOUR MAILING ADDRESS]
[INSERT YOUR CITY, STATE, AND ZIP CODE]
UNITED STATES

[INSERT DATE]

The Most Rev'd Rowan Williams
Archbishop of Canterbury
Lambeth Palace
London SE1 7JU
ENGLAND

Your Grace:

I am writing to express my profound disappointment at your decision to withhold an invitation to participate in the 2008 Lambeth Conference from the Rt. Rev'd Gene Robinson. Bishop Robinson is a duly elected and consecrated bishop of The Episcopal Church. As the only openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion, it is imperative that Bishop Robinson be present at the Lambeth Conference so that real listening and learning can occur.

[INSERT YOUR ADDITIONAL ARGUMENTS HERE. BE POLITE!]

I strongly urge you to reconsider your decision and invite Bishop Robinson to the Lambeth Conference as a full participant.

Sincerely yours,

[INSERT YOUR NAME]

Communion by Invitation Only

May 23, 2007 6:12 AM

The announcement this week that New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson will not be receiving an invitation to the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops was a sad day for the Anglican Communion and a new low for the beleaguered Archbishop of Canterbury.

It is sad that the once proud-of-its-diversity Anglican Communion has allowed itself to be blackmailed into bigotry by those unwilling to accept into their midst a duly elected brother bishop solely because of his sexual orientation. And it is clear that Rowan Williams' failure to exercise differentiated leadership has enabled the Communion he leads to continue to spin out of control.

The Archbishop had an explanation for his decision not to include Bishop Robinson: "I have to reserve the right to withhold or withdraw invitations from bishops whose appointment, actions or manner of life have caused exceptionally serious division or scandal within the Communion."

What he doesn’t have is an explanation for the stunning hypocrisy of excluding the Bishop of New Hampshire because he is gay while including the Archbishop of Nigeria who supports legislation criminalizing gay and lesbian people so draconian that it has been condemned by the international Human Rights Watch.

What he doesn’t have is a response to those who increasingly use the word "irrelevant" to describe a church more interested in how many bishops will attend the elite gathering at Lambeth Palace in 2008 than it is in how we can help end the AIDS pandemic by 2008. Or stop the spread of malaria. Or find a way to end the genocide in Darfur.

"Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these," is the only criterion Jesus gave for being on his invitation list. Both the Communion and the Gospel would be better served if the Archbishop of Canterbury would go and do likewise.

Rev. Susan Russell, an Episcopal priest, is president of Integrity USA

On Faith is an interactive conversation on religion moderated by Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham and Sally Quinn of The Washington Post. It is produced jointly by Newsweek and washingtonpost.com,

Click here to view or comment upon the orginal article.

Davis Mac-Iyalla, Nigerian LGBT Rights Leader, Speaks in New York

Church of St Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014

For Immediate Release


Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at 7:00 p.m., Davis Mac-Iyalla, will speak at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Street, New York. Admission is free.

Mr. Mac-Iyalla is the founder of Changing Attitude Nigeria, an organization working for human rights and the full inclusion of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered) people in the Anglican Church of Nigeria. As such, he has been plunged right into the middle of a major social conflict in Nigeria. Mr. Mac-Iyalla has suffered ostracism from family and friends, been denied communion by his church, been fired from his job as a school principal and has faced death threats.

A law proposed by the Nigerian government, with the support of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, would ban any association of gay people. Under that law, a person attending a meeting of gay people or even the socializing of gay friends in a private house could receive a sentence of five years in prison. Engaging in homosexual acts is already illegal in Nigeria, punishable in the predominantly Christian south by imprisonment and in the predominantly Muslim north by death.

Mr. Mac-Iyalla is visiting the United States and the United Kingdom to bring the situation of the Nigerian LGBT community to the attention of both church and civil rights leaders.

The Reverend Caroline Stacey, Rector of the Church of St Luke in the Fields, says of Davis Mac-Iyalla:

"Through Mac-Iyalla's experience, we witness the frontlines of the struggle for justice and equality in a culture both different from and similar to our own. In both cultures, the Bible has been used as an instrument of oppression as well as liberation, and continues to be used as a weapon. In both cultures, the church can collude in oppression by siding with those in power. In both cultures, fear of structural societal change can hijack a gospel of radical equality and dilute the church's witness. The church needs to have the courage to be "out" about the gospel - and that includes the full equality of all of God's people. Making room for others at the table does not mean those already seated will be deprived, and it transforms human community. Mac-Iyalla's courageous example emboldens us to go and do likewise."

7:00 p.m., June 20, 2007, the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, 487 Hudson Street at Christopher, Greenwich Village, New York. Admission is free but contributions will be welcomed to support Mr. Mac-Iyalla's work. A reception will follow.

For more information contact:
Reverend Mary Foulke
Telephone: 212-633-2099
Email: Mfoulke@stlukeinthefields.org

Some thoughts on courage

Renee blogs about Davis Mac-Iyalla's appearance at St. Stephen's in Columbus here.

Gay Christian from Nigeria to Speak in Dallas

Davis Mac-Iyalla is a brave man. In 2005, he founded Changing Attitude-Nigeria to help Christian gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender people overcome virulent hatred and widespread prejudice in his country. His activities have been disowned by his church - the Anglican Church of Nigeria. He has been arrested and beaten. His government is considering a ban on all gay organizations and social gatherings. He has received death threats and gone into hiding. Through it all, he has held fast to his Christian faith and become an inspiration to faithful gay Africans and others around the world. He is currently on a speaking tour of the United States and will visit The Episcopal Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Dallas on Saturday June 30 and Sunday July 1. All are welcome.

Come Meet Davis Mac-Iyalla!

Forum and Reception: Saturday June 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Parish Hall, The Episcopal Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle

6525 Inwood Road (corner of Mockingbird and Inwood)

More Information: (214) 352-0410

Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome!

Bishop of California stands in solidarity with snubbed gay bishop, prepares to welcome Nigerian gay rights activist

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - - - Following the announcement that openly gay bishop Gene Robinson would not be invited to attend an important conference of Anglican bishops next year, the Episcopal bishop of California, Marc Andrus, has declared his support for Bishop Robinson.

"I will be seeking to learn how I can best be in solidarity with Bishop Robinson, through prayerful action," says the Rt. Rev. Marc Andrus, Episcopal bishop of California. "The tactic of isolation and exile being employed against Bishop Robinson is retrogressive behavior that moves us towards a past from which Christ is always seeking to redeem us. I ask the people of the Diocese of California to pray with me about our common life with all of God's people and the earth."

The Archbishop of Canterbury convenes the Lambeth Conference, a meeting of all of the bishops of the Anglican Communion, once every ten years. While acknowledging that Bishop Robinson is a duly-elected and consecrated bishop in the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Williams decided not to invite him because of opposition expressed by conservatives such as Peter Akinola, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Nigeria. Akinola supports repressive legislation in Nigeria that would criminalize homosexuality and suppress advocacy for the human rights of gay and lesbian people.

On Sunday, June 24, Bishop Andrus will welcome openly gay Nigerian human rights activist Davis Mac-Illya to San Francisco, and they will march together with the church's contingent in the Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade. "At the end of the Easter season," remarks Andrus, "the Sunday reading gives us a passage from what is called the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus: `That they may be one, as I and the Father are one.' We must always be seeking this oneness that honors both our interconnectedness, our individuality, and that includes all."

"This is a defining moment for The Episcopal Church," says the Rev. John Kirkley, president of the California dioceses' gay and lesbian ministry. "Our bishops must refuse to capitulate to those for whom the exclusion of gay and lesbian people is the criteria for membership in the Anglican Communion. My hope is that they will find a creative way to respond to Archbishop Williams that actually honors our Church's commitment to listen to the voices of lesbian and gay people around the world, including those of Bishop Robinson and Davis Mac-Illya.

Archbishop Rowan Williams is scheduled to meet with the bishops of The Episcopal Church in New Orleans in September. "It will be important for our bishops to press Williams to reconsider at that meeting," Kirkley commented, "and for lay leaders, including gay and lesbian members of the Episcopal Church's Executive Council, to speak with the Archbishop there."

Oasis is the gay lesbian, bisexual and transgender ministry of the Bay Area Episcopal church, the Diocese of California. A list of bay area Episcopal churches that welcome Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people is @ http://www.oasiscalifornia.org.

more from Inclusive Church

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Inclusive Church has received a certain amount of adverse comment about the statement we released yesterday in response to the Lambeth Conference invitation announcement.

Our assessment was more positive than the statements of some of the organisations with which we work closely. It is our strong belief that although the situation is by no means perfect and the Bishop of New Hampshire should be there as a full member, the Lambeth Conference will offer an opportunity for serious dialogue on many subjects.

We are in a transitional stage in the life of the church and as we move towards the full inclusion of all people the cost is very high for those who are still excluded. The continued sacrifice demanded of lesbian and gay people, especially those in relationship, cannot be underestimated and we look forward to the day when sexuality is no longer the destructive issue it presently is.

Across the world, both in the Global South and in the rest of the Communion, lesbian and gay Christians are a significant part of the life of the church; we need to recognise this so that we can communicate afresh the Gospel truth of the inexhaustible love of God for the world.

It is our continued hope and prayer that all bishops will receive invitations to the Lambeth Conference. We especially hope that Bishop Gene Robinson will receive a full invitation, so that he can engage with the other bishops of the Communion. Should Bishop Robinson not receive a full invitation, we hope that, as the only openly gay bishop, he will be at the Conference. And we hope that the American bishops of the Episcopal Church will be there to witness to the full inclusion of all people as expressed so clearly in its understanding of the Baptismal Covenant.

The Archbishop of Canterbury affirmed in his letter of invitation that "An invitation to participate in the Conference has not in the past been a certificate of doctrinal orthodoxy. Coming to the Lambeth Conference does not commit you to accepting the position of others as necessarily a legitimate expression of Anglican doctrine and discipline, or to any action that would compromise your conscience or the integrity of your local church."

We hope that this chance for gracious engagement between bishops of very different theological hues is not missed so that the Communion can continue to grow in its welcoming inclusion. Successive Lambeth Conferences in 1978, 1988 and 1998 have requested genuine engagement with lesbian and gay Christians. We trust that the 2008 Conference will be part of the listening process called for many times in recent years.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
The Revd Giles Goddard (UK)
office@inclusivechurch.net
+07762 373674

The Revd Scott Gunn (USA)
sgunn@christchurchlincoln.org
+1 508 720 1500

www.inclusivechurch.net

InclusiveChurch statement on Lambeth invitations

InclusiveChurch statement on Lambeth invitations
22 May 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

InclusiveChurch welcomes the news that the Archbishop of Canterbury has issued the first invitations to over 800 bishops in the Anglican Communion to attend the Lambeth Conference 2008. We believe the Anglican Communion will benefit from engagement among this diverse group of bishops. It is regrettable that a small number of bishops are not to be invited, but recognizing the painful fractures within the Communion we understand the need for generous sacrifice on all sides. We hope that in the spirit of such sacrifice the bishops who are not receiving invitations to the conference, including Gene Robinson, the Bishop of New Hampshire, might be welcome as observers.

'We clearly have a mountain to climb, but this is a real sign of the underlying unity of the Anglican Communion' said the Rev'd Giles Goddard, Chair of InclusiveChurch. 'I am pleased that the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada will be able to share our experience of the ministry of lesbian and gay Christians', said the Rev'd Scott Gunn, an American member of InclusiveChurch.

InclusiveChurch is a network of groups and individuals, aiming to celebrate and maintain the traditional breadth and diversity of the Anglican Communion.

http://inclusivechurch.blogspot.com/2007/05/inclusivechurch-statement-on-lambeth.html

The Most Noxious Point of the Windsor Report Becomes Reality

Bishop Marc Andrus writes,

"The isolation and exile of Bishop Robinson rebukes the bright vision of the unity of the Church, and subsitutes the mechanism of the diabolic, the shattering of communion and integrity. I cannot overemphasize how important it is to meet this action on our Archbishop's part with the weapons of the spirit. I will be praying that my response and our response will be in solidarity with Bishop Robinson, mindful of our relatedness worldwide, full of shalom, and creative, in the manner of Jesus Christ."

Read it all here.

Lambeth invitations free Synod delegates to vote their conscience

MEDIA RELEASE
May 23, 2007

Although disappointed that the Archbishop of Canterbury has decided to withhold an invitation to the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Bishops from the only openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion, members of Integrity Canada are relieved the invitations come before the June meeting of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada at which resolutions about homosexuality will be discussed.

"This certainly takes some of the pressure off the Canadian Church," said Steve Schuh, president of Integrity Vancouver. "We've been threatened for years with the possibility that Canadian bishops might not receive invitations to Lambeth if the Canadian Church failed to uphold the traditional discrimination against gay and lesbian people. The invitation announcement suggests that supporting same-sex unions – as has been done in Vancouver and many dioceses in the U.S. – is no bar to making the Lambeth Conference guest list."

"Delegates will still need to stand up against other bullying tactics and calls for delay if they want to allow parishes to bless covenanted same-sex unions," Schuh added, "but now General Synod delegates can discuss same-sex unions and vote their conscience without the threat of exclusion from Lambeth hanging over their heads."

Chris Ambidge, convener of Integrity Toronto, commented on the Archbishop of Canterbury's snub of Bishop Gene Robinson, the openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire, saying, "It's shameful that an Anglican leader is willing to sacrifice gay and lesbian people to appease the most strident conservative voices. The Lambeth Conference will certainly be talking about gay people in the church, and yet the Archbishop is deliberately excluding the only gay voice."

"Again, they're talking about us, not with us," he said. "Canadian Anglicans must oppose this."

The 2007 Spring Report of the Other Sheep News

Contents:

• Ishtar MSM Invites Other Sheep to Nairobi, Kenya, for Summer 2007
• Other Sheep Requests Books for Marriage Equality NY
• Other Sheep Theologian (Tom Hanks) Speaks in Brazil
• Queer Bible Commentary reviewed by the London Times
• Father Doherty, after 20 years of ministry in East Africa, receives Kenyan visitor in his Bronx home
• Kathryn Griess, former missionary to Chile, shares her coming-our journey
• Emmanuel Kamau distributes The Children Are Free and Other Sheep material at conference in Cambodia
• Jesus MCC and Other Sheep to Publish Book in Spanish
• Thomas Hanks to Present paper on Romans 1 at SBL in November

Click here to read the full newsletter.

Gay bishop is left off Canterbury guest list

From The Times
May 23, 2007
Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent

The openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire, whose consecration in 2003 has taken the Anglican Church to the brink of schism, is to be excluded from the Lambeth Conference next year.

snip

The gay community in the Church of England said that the decision demonstrated "institutional homophobia".

snip

The Rev Martin Reynolds, of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, said: "This is flagrant victimisation." Bishop Robinson said that Dr Williams’s decision was a "great disappointment" and "an affront to the entire Episcopal Church".

Click here to read the entire article.

Falwell's one Christian act

LEONARD PITTS: SYNDICATED COLUMNIST
Contra Costa Times
Article Launched: 05/21/2007 03:02:53 AM PDT

A FEW WORDS about Jerry Falwell's finest hour:

snip

It happened in 1999, when Falwell and other Christian conservatives met with a group of gay, lesbian and transgendered people of faith. As gay observers condemned the gay delegation for its involvement and his fellow Christians excoriated Falwell for his, the two groups worshipped together and talked.

Falwell and the Rev. Mel White, leader of Soulforce, a group of gay Christian activists, said they organized the meeting out of a sense that the language between them and the groups they represented had become harsh, acrid, un-Christian. If they could not change one another's minds, they reasoned, perhaps they could at least change one another's words. In the spirit of the moment, each apologized for hateful language directed at the other. It was a brave and moral moment.

Click here to read the rest.

Debate over sexual orientation dividing Christians

As some denominations show compassion by embracing homosexuals, others argue that doing so reduces churches to secular hugging clubs

By CHRISTINA BLIZZARD AND MICHAEL COREN
Tue, May 22, 2007
Edmonton Sun

The Anglican Church votes in June on whether to allow the blessing of same sex unions. The debate leading up to the vote has exposed deep divisions within the Anglican church. Sun Media columnist Christina Blizzard, an Anglican, says it's time to move in this direction. Fellow columnist Michael Coren, a Roman Catholic, is firmly against it. Their differences led to a heated exchange of e-mails.

Click here to read the rest.

Gay Episcopal bishop not invited to world Anglican meeting

By Rachel Zoll
ASSOCIATED PRESS
1:57 p.m. May 22, 2007

NEW YORK – The first openly gay Episcopal bishop will not be invited to a once-a-decade meeting of world Anglican leaders next year, as the fellowship tries to avert a schism over homosexuality. A breakaway conservative U.S. bishop also was snubbed.

snip

"This decision places the vast majority of American bishops along with others throughout the world in an embarrassing position," said the Rev. Martin Reynolds of Britain's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement. "If they accept their Lambeth invitations this might appear to support bishop Robinson's victimization, while if they reject the invitation they will abandon our communion to the homophobes."

Click here to read the entire article.

Decision on Lambeth Conference invitations draws reaction

By Matthew Davies and Mary Frances Schjonberg, May 22, 2007

[Episcopal News Service] The Archbishop of Canterbury's decision to withhold a small number of invitations to the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Bishops drew reaction as soon as the announcement was made public May 22.

snip

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori sent a short e-mail message to the House of Bishops urging "a calm approach to today's announcement regarding 2008 Lambeth Conference invitations, a subject on which I plan to make no formal statement at this time. It is possible that aspects of this matter may change in the next 14 months, and the House of Bishops' September meeting offers us a forum for further discussion."

House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson also issued a short statement saying that "the Episcopal Church elects bishops and consents to the election of bishops in a democratic and participatory manner. The process is carried out within our Constitution and Canons, both at the General Convention and in our dioceses. The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson is a duly elected and consecrated bishop of this Church. Not inviting him to the Lambeth Conference causes serious concern to The Episcopal Church."

snip

Meanwhile, according to a posting on the website Anglican Mainstream, Archbishop Peter Akinola, primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, said that withholding an invitation to Minns "will be viewed as withholding invitation to the entire House of Bishops of the Church of Nigeria."

snip

The Rev. Susan Russell, the president of IntegrityUSA, said that her organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Episcopalians and their supporters, is "outraged and appalled" at Williams' decision not to invite Robinson. She suggested that the Episcopal Church's bishops ought "to think long and hard about whether they are willing to participate in the continued scapegoating of the gay and lesbian faithful as the price for going to the Lambeth Conference."

"This is not only a snub of Bishop Gene Robinson but an affront to the entire U.S. Episcopal Church," Russell said in part. "The Archbishop of Canterbury has allowed himself to be blackmailed by forces promoting bigotry and exclusion in the Anglican Communion. This action shows a disgraceful lack of leadership on Williams' part."

The complete IntegrityUSA statement is available here.

Click here for the entire ENS article.

HRC | Religion & Faith News

May 22, 2007

Diversity Pride Celebrations

The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing along with the faith programs of GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Black Justice Coalition and the Institute for Welcoming Resources are pleased to issue a united call to congregations and clergy to conduct a worship service celebrating sexual and gender diversity as part of their community’s June pride month celebration.

On June 4, 2007, the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing will publish a new Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity. This open letter calls on faith communities to affirm sexual and gender diversity as a blessed part of life and for “full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in our faith traditions and communities.”

Clergy and congregations who are planning pride worship services are encouraged to inform the Religious Institute of the service’s date, time and location and whether media would be welcome to attend by May 31. These clergy will be provided with an advance copy of the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity, which can be used in sermon preparation or as a responsive reading.

Clergy are also invited to submit sermons preached on the theme of “Celebrating Sexual and Gender Diversity” during pride month. There will be a $400 first-place Pride Sermon Award. The top sermons will also be posted on the websites of the sponsoring national organizations.

For more information, e-mail the Religious Institute.

Out In Scripture Enters Its Second Year

This April, the Human Rights Campaign’s preaching resource and devotional tool, Out In Scripture celebrated its successful first anniversary. During the past year, this online resource expanded the conversation across the country about the lives of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; Scripture; and the life of faith. Out In Scripture offers theologically grounded commentaries that deepen conversations between preachers, congregations, seekers, families, friends, scholars, seminary students and people of faith. The Human Rights Campaign is delighted with the overwhelming response to this distinctive resource offered by the HRC Religion and Faith Program.

We are also excited to announce the coming year’s impressive theologically and culturally diverse editorial advisory board of scholars. The board consists both of those who helped create Out In Scripture during the past year and a fresh new gathering of scholars. Together they will offer spiritually moving and inspiring commentaries for the coming year. To learn more about Out In Scripture, the new editorial advisory board and our other writers, visit Out In Scripture at www.hrc.org/scripture.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the new editorial advisory board for 2007-2008:

Dr. Charles W. Allen, Grace Unlimited: Indianapolis Lutheran-Episcopal Campus Ministry and Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis;

Dr. Deborah A. Appler, Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pa.;

Dr. Randall Bailey, Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta;

Dr. Angela Bauer-Levesque, Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass.;

Dr.Valerie Bridgeman-Davis, Memphis Theological Seminary;

Dr. Michael Joseph Brown, the Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion at Emory University in Atlanta;

Dr. Greg Carey, Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pa.;

Dr. Warren Carter, Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo.;

Dr. Miguel de la Torre, Iliff School of Theology in Denver;

Dr. Marvin Ellison, Bangor Theological Seminary in Bangor, Maine;

Dr. Holly Hearon, Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis;

Dr. Ron Hopson, Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C.;

Dr. Norm Kansfield, Drew University in Madison, N.J.;

Dr. Tat-siong Benny Liew, Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif.;

Dr. Sandra H. Polaski, biblical scholar in Nashville, Tenn.;

Dr. Christine M. Smith, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Minn.;

Dr. Ken Stone, Chicago Theological Seminary;

Dr. Linda E. Thomas, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago;

Dr. Mona West, Church of Trinity Metropolitan Community Church in Sarasota, Fla.;

Dr. Judith Hoch Wray, biblical and preaching scholar in New York City.

Dr. Sidney D. Fowler of Washington, D.C., continues as editorial director for Out In Scripture.

Summer Reading

Jacqueline Taylor’s memoir, Waiting for the Call: From Preacher’s Daughter to Lesbian Mom, tells the story of her childhood brought up in a strict evangelical Christian family in the foothills of the Appalachians to her adult life raising children with her lesbian partner in Chicago

Integrity Outraged At Canterbury’s Choice Of Bigotry And Discrimination Rather Than Inclusion Of Bishop Gene Robinson

620 Park Avenue #311 Rochester, NY 14607-2943
800-462-9498 info@integrityusa.org http://www.integrityusa.org/

May 22, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

"Integrity is outraged and appalled," said Integrity President Susan Russell. "This is not only a snub of Bishop Gene Robinson but an affront to the entire U.S. Episcopal Church. The Archbishop of Canterbury has allowed himself to be blackmailed by forces promoting bigotry and exclusion in the Anglican Communion. This action shows a disgraceful lack of leadership on Williams’ part."

"Integrity calls on all the bishops and the leadership of the Episcopal Church to think long and hard about whether they are willing to participate in the continued scapegoating of the gay and lesbian faithful as the price for going to the Lambeth Conference. It is purported to be a conference representing bishops from the whole Anglican Communion. That can’t happen when Rowan Williams aligns himself with those in the Communion such as Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria who violate human rights while explicitly excluding gay and lesbian voices from their midst," Russell said. "Our bishops must ask themselves this question: 'Is complicity in discrimination a price they are willing to pay for a two-week trip to Canterbury?'"

Integrity is currently contacting the leadership of the Episcopal Church and consulting with our progressive allies about this situation. We expect to make an additional statement in the near future.

PRESS CONTACTS

The Rev. Susan Russell, President
president@integrityusa.org
714-356-5718 (mobile)
626-583-2741 (office)

Mr. John Gibson, Director of Communications
jhngb@aol.com
917-518-1120 (mobile)

Statement from The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson

A Statement from The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire
With regard to the Issuance of Invitations to the Lambeth Conference, 2008
May 22, 2007

It is with great disappointment that I receive word from the Archbishop of Canterbury that I will not be included in the invitation list for the Lambeth Conference, 2008. At a time when the Anglican Communion is calling for a “listening process” on the issue of homosexuality, it makes no sense to exclude gay and lesbian people from that conversation. It is time that the Bishops of the Anglican Communion stop talking about gay and lesbian people and start talking with us.

While I appreciate the acknowledgement that I am a duly elected and consecrated Bishop of the Church, the refusal to include me among all the other duly elected and consecrated Bishops of the Church is an affront to the entire Episcopal Church. This is not about Gene Robinson, nor the Diocese of New Hampshire. It is about the American Church and its relationship to the Communion. It is for The Episcopal Church to respond to this challenge, and in due time, I assume we will do so. In the meantime, I will pray for Archbishop Rowan and our beloved Anglican Communion.

Click here to access the statement on the Diocese of New Hampshire.

2 Bishops Not Invited to Anglican Parley

The Associated Press
Tuesday, May 22, 2007; 7:18 AM

LONDON -- Two bishops at the heart of the U.S. Episcopal Church's divisions over sexuality and scripture will not be invited to next year's global gathering of Anglican prelates, the archbishop of Canterbury's office said Tuesday.

Bishops V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire and Martyn Minns of the breakaway Convocation of Anglicans in North America were not among more than 850 bishops invited, said Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary-general of the Anglican Communion.

snip

Robinson may be invited to attend the Lambeth Conference as a guest, but Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams is not contemplating inviting Minns, Kearon said.

"The question of Gene Robinson ... I think has exercised the archbishop of Canterbury's mind for quite some time," he said, and there was no question that Robinson was duly elected and consecrated a bishop in accordance with the rules of the Episcopal Church.

"However, for the archbishop to simply give full recognition at this conference would be to ignore the very substantial and very widespread objections in many parts of the communion to his consecration and to his ministry," Kearon said.

Click here to read it all.

Click here to read the ACNS press release about the initial invitations.

+Cantuar On The Bible And Homosexuality

After the Archbishop of Canterbury’s public lecture ‘Public Religion and the Common Good’ at St Andrew’s Cathedral (Singapore, 12th May), there was a Q & A Session.

snip

Q: In your opinion, what is the Bible’s view on homosexuality?

I’m surprised there’s only one question on this subject! The Bible tells us 3 significant things here, I think. First of all, the Bible begins by setting out a model of human relationship, human sexual relationship between man and woman in the Garden of Eden and that seems to be the model from which everything else is understood and seen as the Scripture unfolds. Second, in the law code of the Old Testament intercourse between man and man is described as something which is like ritually untouchable, it’s something that pagans do and Jews, the covenant people, don’t do it. Third, in the first chapter of Romans we have Paul taking for granted the argument that this is an example of human unfaithfulness to the order of nature. But I think those taken together explains why the Christian church has historically, thought as it has thought, reacted as it has reacted, to homosexuality. In the last 30 years or so, some Christians have raised the question of whether what we now see as the phenomenal of homosexuality in the world is exactly what the Bible has in view when it makes these prohibitions and these comments. And that is a debate that is by no means at an end yet. As you know, the position of the Anglican church is that corporately the Anglican church has not been persuaded let’s say to change the traditional view on this and that’s where our church stands. That I think is how the biblical view unfolds and I do want say in fairness to those who have raised questions in the last 30 years or so, not all of them want to overturn the authority of the Bible but are simply asking, "Have we got it right? Have we understood it right?" But it’s a long, painful discussion and you won’t need me to say to you at this juncture that some of us in position of leadership in the Anglican church feels the force of the debate very powerfully but also the importance of not rushing into a change that will divide us, that will increase our difficulties in ecumenical interfaith discussion.

Source: Global South Anglican

COLORADO: Bonnie Anderson tells Episcopalians that their church is alive and well

By Mary Frances Schjonberg, May 21, 2007

[Episcopal News Service] House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson told a gathering of Episcopalians in Denver May 20 that Christianity has always been embroiled in controversy and that, while the Episcopal Church is no different, it "has the Good News of reconciliation to bring to this world and we are doing that in amazing ways."

"We walk along God's tightrope balancing our great value for diversity with our desire to speak with one voice," Anderson told the Martyn Hart Legacy Society. The organization recognizes parishioners and friends of Saint John's Cathedral in Denver who have made provisions for the future ministry of the parish through estate gifts.

Anderson spent May 19 and 20 in the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado where she spoke to three different groups of Episcopalians including the legacy society and preached at two services in St. John's Cathedral in Denver.

Noting that the Acts of the Apostles records the early controversies over inclusion of Gentiles in the early Church, Anderson said that from their earliest recorded history "Christians have failed to agree on what unites them and what separates them."

The prior evening, Anderson told another group of Episcopalians that "the Episcopal Church is alive and well and the Anglican Communion is about God's mission in the world."

She told the general meeting of the Richard Hooker Forum that "the Episcopal Church is a significant part of this work in the world."

Click here to read the rest.