Another new Episcopal position on ordination?
-
- July
- 13
Who can be ordained in the Episcopal Church?
Yeah, it’s still the $25,000 question.
Back in 2006, the EC’s General Convention decided that dioceses should show “restraint” when choosing bishops whose lifestyle could upset the wider Anglican Communion. They were talking about gays and lesbians, of course, in light of the super-controversial consecration of openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire.
Well, yesterday at the 2009 General Convention, the House of Deputies (consisting of clergy and lay leaders) voted 2-to-1 for a resolution declaring that the ordination process be open to all.
The House of Bishops will have to agree for the resolution to be enacted.
Does the new resolution clarify things or further muddy the ordination waters?
According to an EC write-up: “Committee vice chair the Rev. Ian Douglas (Massachusetts) noted that the committee chose not to propose a straight-forward repeal or support of B033 (NOTE: showing restraint) but instead chose this language as a more comprehensive description of the church’s current reality.”
Time for the usual round of condemnations and shows of support.
This entry was posted
on Monday, July 13th, 2009 at 9:31 am by Gary Stern.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Print
| 
Email
The world of religion, we don't have to tell you, is vast. The purpose of this blog is for Stern to note, flag and comment on some of the more interesting religious developments on the scene – weighty and quirky, somber and laughable, far away and just down the road. He won't interpret Scripture, take sides in conflicts or judge anyone. But he will take advantage of the journalist's license to observe.
