Duncan's not going to the bisohps' gathering

For "my" post today, I ask you go to over and read Mark Harris' blog today on the Rt. Rev'd. Mr. Duncan's refusal to attend the meeting of bishops this coming week.

Pay particular attention to the irrefutable argument "it isn't legal if I say it's not legal."

My thanks to Mark for an excelent summation of the situation.

Church of England goes to hell in a portrait

In the very characteristic manner to which one is accustomed in the British Empire, a change has happened in the Church of England. Well, it's not a change, it's a return to an old practice -- a practice that has been banned for 802 years. This will never fly over in Akinolaland.

There is a new portrait of the new bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt. Rev’d. Peter Price and the portrait is absolutely scandalous! It has the bishop’s wife, Dee, in the portrait! Oh, the humanity!

Since the twelfth century, it has been considered “unsuitable” for women to appear in paintings alongside any religious figures. I mean, the mere image of a woman can cause natural disasters, you know. The last time a woman appeared in such a portrait was back in 1206 A.D. It was only a mere twenty-two years later that 100,000 people drown in a flood in Holland. God is serious about this “no wimmin in pictures!”

Bishop Price was insistent that his wife appear in the portrait:

Throughout our ministry we have always worked together and I would say that she was called to be a vicar’s wife before I was ever called to be a vicar.

The portrait shows Bishop Price, 64, standing clad in a purple cassock, while Dee, 63, sits on a pew in the background. She said

I think it’s an amazing picture and I’m proud to be a part of it. It’s a massive step forward for women in the church because previously it had never been considered.

I don’t at all mind being the Bishop’s wife and being in the background, but I do look forward to the day when there is a woman Bishop in the foreground.

The painting was commissioned by the Bath and Wells Diocese to mark its 1,100th anniversary. Diocese spokesman John Andrews said:

Before the Reformation, bishops didn’t have wives and many still don’t. But Dee has been a massive inspiration in the regeneration of the Palace here since her husband took over.

Having a man and women together had never been considered suitable before as portraits have always just been individuals.

It was fitting to have her in the portrait and it shows the role of women is now very much appreciated and applauded within the church.’

Well, did you notice that “many [bishops] still don’t [have wives]. Now, that leads one to wonder – I bet The Rt. Rev’d Mr. Akinola is wondering!

Our thanks to the Mail Online for breaking the scandal. It is true, as ++Akinola said, the Church of England has sold out to secular society. We are all doomed to hell.

PS – you know what my favourite part of writing this article was? Telling the spell check to “ignore” the name Akinola. Can you tell I’m in a particularly spunky mood today?

11 September

Today as the Nation, and indeed most of the Western World turns its collective memory to the events in New York City, I remember one particular man who was one of the heroes of Flight 93. Mark Bingham helped in the attempt to halt the hijacking. But, because it was discovered he was gay, his role was deliberately obscured by the media and the U.S. Government.

For Mark, and all the innocent people who died on this day, let us pray to the Lord....

Remember thy servants, O Lord, according to the favour which
thou bearest unto thy people; and grant that, increasing in
knowledge and love of thee, they may go from strength to
strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and
rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be
our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee,
to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou
art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



Let us also pray for the hijackers.

The Primates of the Anglican Communion

I stumbled upon an Episcopal Life page that has photos of all the Primates. It was interesting to see the faces of all those bishops about whom I've been reading. The photos are here.