Tweet
It looks like the Anglican church may experience a schism over an open, practicing gay bishop in the States.
I have a feeling that this is very bad news for christianity. I'm in the RCC, so schism may mean more to me than it does to protestants, whose predecessors quit the RCC. The church is trying to patch up 900 years of water under the bridge, and it's a damned difficult thing to do. The Pope can be instrumental in bringing down a huge empire, but stumbles when trying to mend ties with the orthodox church -- it's a much more difficult task.
In any event, I feel like even though I'm not Anglican, I have a stake in how this turns out. How do the Anglicans here feel about this?
I have a feeling that this is very bad news for christianity. I'm in the RCC, so schism may mean more to me than it does to protestants, whose predecessors quit the RCC. The church is trying to patch up 900 years of water under the bridge, and it's a damned difficult thing to do. The Pope can be instrumental in bringing down a huge empire, but stumbles when trying to mend ties with the orthodox church -- it's a much more difficult task.
In any event, I feel like even though I'm not Anglican, I have a stake in how this turns out. How do the Anglicans here feel about this?
US, Canada ordered to leave Anglican Church over gay issue
The leaders of the world's 38 Anglican Churches have for the first time formalised the split in the Communion prompted by the ordination of an actively gay bishop in the US.
The primates, or archbishops, meeting in Northern Ireland have asked the American and Canadian churches to withdraw from the Communion's chief representative body for three years.
They have been asked to explain the appointment of the actively homosexual bishop, Gene Robinson and have in effect three years to get back into line or face possible expulsion.
Several traditionalist churches have already broken relations with the American church to some degree, but tonight that split was formalised.
An American bishop says it is possible the Church's liberal and traditional wings may now go their separate ways.
But the Primate of Australia, Archbishop Peter Carnley, who is in Britain, says a split is not inevitable.
"It's possible to disagree on theological points and ways of ordering the church without parting company," he said.
"I think people find it very difficult to understand that Christians are able to do that.
"We can talk to one another and stay together and enjoy a high level of fellowship, even while disagreeing about issues."
The leaders of the world's 38 Anglican Churches have for the first time formalised the split in the Communion prompted by the ordination of an actively gay bishop in the US.
The primates, or archbishops, meeting in Northern Ireland have asked the American and Canadian churches to withdraw from the Communion's chief representative body for three years.
They have been asked to explain the appointment of the actively homosexual bishop, Gene Robinson and have in effect three years to get back into line or face possible expulsion.
Several traditionalist churches have already broken relations with the American church to some degree, but tonight that split was formalised.
An American bishop says it is possible the Church's liberal and traditional wings may now go their separate ways.
But the Primate of Australia, Archbishop Peter Carnley, who is in Britain, says a split is not inevitable.
"It's possible to disagree on theological points and ways of ordering the church without parting company," he said.
"I think people find it very difficult to understand that Christians are able to do that.
"We can talk to one another and stay together and enjoy a high level of fellowship, even while disagreeing about issues."
Comment