Episcopalians reject ban on gay bishops

[BarTopDancer]

Article here (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060620/ap_on_re_us/protestants_gays;_ylt=AghAeDGCv..n90BAb1Rgjbqs0NUE ;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--)

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.

Slowly religion moves into the 21st centrury.

[Gemini Cricket]

:) :) :)

[Ghoulish Delight]

Whenever I see the word "Episcopallian", I start singing "Picture Pages" in my head.

[katiesue]

I like being Episcopalian, we also just elected the first woman Bishop earlier this week.

[flippyshark]

Whenever I see the word "Episcopallian", I start singing "Picture Pages" in my head.

OWWW! Not the Picture Pages song! Make it stop!

[Stan4dSteph]

OWWW! Not the Picture Pages song! Make it stop!Time to get your paper and your pencils! :D

[Not Afraid]

Amazingly enough, I don't know that song - and I've never been more thankful.

[flippyshark]

Amazingly enough, I don't know that song - and I've never been more thankful.

You would have had to watch Captain Kangaroo back in the late seventies (and however long beyond that) to remember it. You are really fortunate not to know. (The captain hosted these for a while, then Bill Cosby took over at some point - click here (http://www.mystiesplace.com/pages/picturepages/PicturePages.mp3) if you dare!

Back on topic - it looks like the Presbyterians are hopping on this bus too -

Presbyterians open door to gay clergy (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060620/ts_nm/religion_presbyterians_dc_3)

[Gemini Cricket]

I like being Episcopalian, we also just elected the first woman Bishop earlier this week.
I think that's cool.

I don't know much about the Episcopalian Church. Can someone enlighten me? Like how do Episcopalians differ from Presbyterians, Unitarians etc? All I know about the Epsicopalian Church is what I've read about/around Bishop V. Gene Robinson.
:)

[CoasterMatt]

Bringing up "Picture Pages" almost deserves bad mojo :p

[katiesue]

I think that's cool.

I don't know much about the Episcopalian Church. Can someone enlighten me? Like how do Episcopalians differ from Presbyterians, Unitarians etc? All I know about the Epsicopalian Church is what I've read about/around Bishop V. Gene Robinson.
:)

It varies from country to country, the US is much more liberal than the rest of the world which is causing some problems.

The services are almost identical to a catholic service except that anyone who has been baptized can receive communion, and that does not mean you have had to been baptized in the Episcopal church just baptized. My church does open communion where anyone can receive communion baptized or not. This has created some conflict and one rector quit over it.

We don’t have confession. It’s a part of the service but no little secret closets.

Again each congregation is different. The one here and the one we attended in LA were very liberal. My mothers is more conservative.

Priests can marry, or be gay. Women can be priests (there are a large number of ex-nuns who are priests). You can get divorced. You can marry someone who has previously been divorced in the church. You can marry someone who isn’t Episcopalian in the church.

[Gemini Cricket]

Thank you, katiesue! :)

[BarTopDancer]

And the hope fades (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=alLAYtCQI5GU&refer=us)
The U.S. Episcopal Church today called for restraint in consecrating openly gay bishops, falling short of the moratorium urged by the 2004 Windsor Report, the Episcopal News Service reported.
snip
The Windsor Report also asks that rites not be developed to bless gay unions, the news service said.

Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, responded in a statement on the Episcopal Church Web site, thanking the church for considering the Windsor Report recommendations.
Snip
``We, therefore, disassociate ourselves from those acts of this Convention that do not fully comply with the Windsor Report,'' said the bishops, including those from the dioceses of Pittsburgh, Dallas and South Carolina.

[Gemini Cricket]

I am hopeful that it's not over. I think the dialogue will continue.
"I have... hiiiigh hopes." :)

[flippyshark]

I share your optimism, GC. I think it is just a matter of time. Every episcopalian I know, including my own Mum, seems to favor a more inclusive future, but the wheels of change grind slowly in such august institutions.