[BenL]

... that children are made the pawns of politics. Because this whole thing is all about politics, in my opinion, and not about theology or faith. Certainly no one from the Hartford church is guiding the education of these schoolchildren, telling them what kind of sex they should have. Talk about biting off your nose to spite your face. This bishop is cutting off the future of his flock, for what?

Prayer is called for in the first instance ... for the congregants who made gifts in good conscience, for the families and children in Africa who are having their dreams stripped away, and for that prelate who believes he is acting in good faith. The writer has it just right: We are the hands of God in the world. I hope the African laity can find a way to make their cases against a hierarchy determined to rebuff American generosity.

I must say that it is instances like this that sorely test my commitment to nonviolence. The world so sorely needs peacemakers.

BenL