15 July 2009

D025 as viewd from the Texan Episcopalian

All of the bishops from the state of Texas voted against D025. I would think that a statement from the Diocese of Texas in the Texan Episcopalian would, therefore, accurately reflect the conservative view of the D025. Here it is:
    The Episcopal Church Recommits To The Anglican Communion And Affirms Transparency In Its Ordination Processes

    The House of Bishops and the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church today completed passage of a revised Resolution D025, Commitment and Witness to the Anglican Communion, at the Church’s triennial General Convention in Anaheim, California.
    The resolution…
    • Reaffirms an abiding commitment of The Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion, noting that it will seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible;
    • Encourages dioceses, congregations and members of The Episcopal Church to participate to the fullest extent possible in the many instruments, networks and relationships of the Anglican Communion;
    • Reaffirms its financial commitments to the Anglican Communion and member Churches.

    In addition, D025 affirms transparency and openness in The Episcopal Church’s ordination process. The resolution…
    • Affirms the value of "listening to the experience of homosexual persons" as called for by multiple Lambeth Conferences.
    • Restates that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God" (B039, 2000).
    • Acknowledges that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are currently doing so in our midst;
    • Affirms that God's call to the ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church is a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the Church;
    • Acknowledges that members of The Episcopal Church are not of one mind, and Christians of good conscience disagree about some of these matters.
I certainly hope NT Wright sees a copy of this from the conservative Texan bishops.

For Fr. Martin's thoughtful take on D025 and the spin, see Fr T Listens to the World.

Nick Knisley also has a good write-up on his blog.

And on an unrelated subject, CONGRATULATIONS to Katie Sherrod who was elected today to the Executive Council! I can't think of a better person to serve on the committee. Katie is a blog-sister over at Desert's Child.