Good News for The Episcopal Church

[suzer1013]

While there is still news to be released later today, the result of the Bishops' meeting is excellent. It is wonderful to see such clarity and the Gospel message being carried out by TEC. Makes me proud to be an Episcopalian again (I was wavering a bit lately!). Apparently, the bishops do indeed have spines.

Read it here: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_84148_ENG_HTM.htm

Susan

[keltic63]

Good News indeed!!!!! :applause: :applause: :applause:


Thanks be to God :pray:

[nmwolfboy]

As Steve said, Good news indeed!

i own up to the need to re-evaluate my opinion of Bishops. :o Previous assertions by me that their mitres seem to suck out all good sense from their brains :borg: were obviously overstated. i stand corrected!!!! :x

Now, any bets on what the Archbishop of Canterbury's response will be?

Pax :dove:

scott

[u-dog]

The Canadian Bishops? Are they getting the screws tightened by the Primates as well? Have they spoken up yet?

[dsdrane]

This is a very good -- and absolutely necessary -- first step.

A similar situation seems to be brewing in Canada....

:pray:

[BruceChris]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article1550724.ece

And I can't help but think that Jefferts Schori must have had a hand in it.

P&L, BC

[Daniel]

Thank you Susan!

Upon reading the document, I see why my hair was set on fire by Schori's recent comments. If I had known this....

At our meeting in March 2005, we adopted a Covenant Statement as an interim response to the Windsor Report in an attempt to assure the rest of the Communion that we were taking them seriously and, at some significant cost, refused to consecrate any additional bishops whatsoever as a way that we could be true to our own convictions without running the risk of consecrating some that would offend our brothers and sisters. Our response was not accepted by the Primates.

...I don't think I would have reacted so negatively. Seen in this light, Schori words have an altogether different context. Just goes to show what a little info can do.

Bully for the Bishops.

I love a little spine.

[WillySF]

I guess I won't be taking communion in Nigeria anytime soon.

[pnggrad79]

Way good! I am proud of the Anglicans for taking a stand in this way. Who's next?:applause: :applause: :applause:

[BruceChris]

The Episcopalians are the Americans, who are also part of the World Anglican Communion, but in our discussions here, the Anglicans are the Other Guys. So I'm cheering for the Episcopalians, and their much talked about lady bishop. (Hope I'm not getting on your case, here. No offense meant)

Edit: The Canadians also call themselves Anglicans, as far as I know, but they're definitely on our side. (No, don't ask me anything more about labels, I'm hopelessly confused here. U-Dog, HELP!)

And the Canadians have their General Synod in June, so we'll find more out then.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[bryanf]

Episcopal refers to the how the church is structured.

Anglican refers to the origin and common quality of thoughts. In that they share common thought and praxis that originated with the Church of England but now has spread to wider dialogue basis. The Lambeth Quadrilateral is considered by many to be a summation of the essentials in Anglican thought while others say the 39 Articles are. **Note: The reason many do not refer to the The Epsicpal Church located in America as not being Anglican anymore is because of there often lose stances on the 39 Articles & Lambeth. Whether that is the case or not, who knows. However just thats what and why the conservative right refuses to call them Anglican anymore.**

[pnggrad79]

No offense taken. Not anywhere close to Episcopalian or Anglican. I have been reading a lot about it, so pardon my obvious ignorance on the subject. I am just glad some churches are taking a stand. Hell will freeze over when the Southern Baptists come around. But I keep praying for it.

[dsdrane]

...when the House of Deputies meets next? Has anyone seen any reaction from anyone affiliated with the HoD?

[BenL]

...when the House of Deputies meets next? Has anyone seen any reaction from anyone affiliated with the HoD?

The next scheduled General Convention is in 2009. That is the only time the House of Deputies is constituted. In the interim, the Executive Council serves in its stead. There is a provision in canon law and/or the constitutions of the ECUSA for a special General Convention between the regular triennial ones. This could only be called by the House of Bishops with concurrence of the Executive Council, I believe.

There's more on the Executive Council, which works mostly behind the scenes, at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/13299_19849_ENG_HTM.htm