Right wing Anglicans have been threatening a gay-related schism for years. And now it seems the time has come:
Hardline church leaders have formally declared the end of the worldwide Anglican communion, saying they could no longer be associated with liberals who tolerate homosexual clergy.
The traditionalists dealt a serious blow to the Archbishop of Canterbury by claiming he can no longer hold the church together.
They warned that the church is gripped by its most serious crisis since the Reformation, and could only be saved by the repentance of the Americans who triggered the row by ordaining an openly homosexual bishop, the Rt Rev Gene Robinson, five years ago.
The 89-page declaration makes the Reformation comparison even more explicit with assertion, “We see a parallel between contemporary events and events in England in the sixteenth century. Now, after five centuries, a new fork in the road is appearing.”
greybat
How very Lemony Snicketts of them!
Josh
Maybe they are the ones who should repent. As far as I am concerned…..good riddance!
Chapeau
Who Cares?
revtj
Pretty ironic for a church that had its birth in upholding the king’s divorce(s)– not to mention the wives he beheaded. Come to think of it, it is very much like that time!
tj
They fail to mention that the majority of churches who have created all this mess are found in Africa and Caribbean.
Shabaka
Um, TJ, “this mess” was imported into the Caribbean Islands and Africa, not the other way around! The easily gullible and uninformed Africans and Caribbeans were nothing but a vehicular tool.But I’m sure you know this.
Progression
>>Pretty ironic for a church that had its birth
>>in upholding the king’s divorce(s)– not to
>>mention the wives he beheaded
Showtime’s “The Tudors” is absolutely riveting. I wasn’t sure Jonathan Rhys Meyers could pull off being the King of England. Yet his performance is memorable for his acting, his physique and the unusual casting. I find myself researching English history after every episode, just to see how the writers changed events. “The Tudors” is must-see TV.
As for schism, it’s an opportunity for the church to rebuild itself stronger than before, more accepting than before.
Andy
Um, Shabaka: “The easily gullible and uninformed Africans and Caribbeans” — aren’t we being a bit condescending here?
@ Progression: “As for schism, it’s an opportunity for the church to rebuild itself stronger than before, more accepting than before.” — as a dedicated atheist, I hope you’re wrong! I hope the whole pathetic edifice just collapses. Pity they won’t take the evangelicals with them.
Charley
The still wear the pointed hats of Henry VIII’s time, even the gay bishop. Shows you how out of touch they all are with being here now. How can they take that “sky god” crap seriously ?
Allan
It should be remembered that at the previous Lambeth in 1998 resolutions were passed by all in attendance, including both conservative/orthodox and the liberal/reformists. These resolutions prohibited the ordination of homosexual clergy, and also prohibited the performance of homosexual marriage ceremonies. Yet the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and The Episcopal Church (TEC) in the United States have chosen to disregard these resolutions and do the very thing that they are bound to not do. Furthermore, the parishes that have tried to remain Biblically Faithful have been persecuted, their priests fired, and if they try to seek alternative Episcopal oversight from another Anglican Bishop, they are taken to civil court and sewed for their buildings, lands, and property (including chalice and plates that are used for Holy Communion) by the Bishops of their diocese and national church.
It is a wonder that the conservative/orthodox Anglicans have endured this neo fascist totalitarianism for so long. It is no wonder that the conservative/orthodox Anglicans have come to the painful realization and conclusion that the liberal/reformists have already left the way of God, and that reconciliation is no longer possible.
It is pointless for the conservative/orthodox Anglicans to try to go to Lambeth and talk to the liberal/reformists. The liberal/reformists have already proven themselves to be the type of people who expect and demand that everyone else not only listen to them, but obediently submit to their dictatorial control. While at the same time the liberal/reformists deliberately ignore what everyone else has to say. How can any meaningful dialogue occur with such people? How can any reconciliation be achieved? The only way forward for the conservative/orthodox Anglicans is to leave the liberal/reformists to their own devises and self destruction, while remaining Biblically Faithful and spreading the true Word of God.
Shabaka
Yeah ANDY, I probably came off a tad condescending. My apologies. But I was born and raised in Africa and I’ve got first hand experience about these things. Sad truth.
Is it, Progression? I’ve been meaning to watch it but I thought it was another make believe series on TV. So watching it…
nikko
Please, ALLAN. You’re full of shit, not God.
Allan
Hello NIKKO,
It’s replies like the one you posted that makes it very difficult for any reconciliation to happen. In free and democratic societies we all have a right to our beliefs, even though very often we may disagree. I sincerely hope that we can all agree that being able to disagree, and still respect each other is a good thing (much better than the alternative).
All events that I refer to are fact and well documented. Many good people are being persecuted and hurt in a vengeful and vindictive manner. For what? Nothing more than wanting to remain Faithful to God as revealed to us in His Holy Scriptures.
Please keep in mind that I am not telling you how to live your life. What is happening is that a group of people claiming to be priests, but teach a false message, have taken over in ACC and TEC, and these false prophets are TELLING Faithful Christians that they have to change.
Don’t be mistaken into thinking that this is about homosexuals. That is only a sympton that the news media like to talk about because it sells newspapers. The real issue is that the false prophets are trying to take the people of the Church away from Holy Scriptures, openly questioning the core and doctrinal beleifs (ie the Divinity of Jesus Christ) and teaching people that Jesus Christ is not the only way to salvation. As Jesus Christ is the “Prince of Peace” who taught us to try to get along with each other, this deminishing of Him should concern you as much as it concerns me. For if I no longer have to accept Jesus Christ as my only saviour, than why should I “do unto others as I would have done to me”?
The liberals/revisionists have opened the Pandora’s Box, and unleashed upon our world a more vehement form of intollerance, bigotry, oppression, and intimidation. May God be with you if these liberals/revisionists ever turn their attention your way!
greybat
“Doing unto others as you would have them do unto you” isn’t just spiritual law, it’s also simple good manners, which even non-theists can surely abide by.
In the long long run, the split between the two branches of Anglicans may prove spiritually healthy for both of them, as the two parties cannot agree, they are more likely to pursue spiritual growth in a climate not rent with quibbling over what is in the long run, a minor philosophical point.
The argument seems irreconcilable, since the points are so clearly opposed, and the two camps so convinced of their proofs. The effect is like a married couple quarreling nonstop, in spite of their history and affection, it makes the home intolerable for those that live in it.
nikko
ALLAN,
Reverse discrimintation my ass. I am a former born again christian. I don’t have a problem with believing in Christ for salvation or he being the only way. But you are clearly giving the runaround as many christians do to not sound so harsh- you oppose homosexuality> I don’t Jesus didn’t heal me, does not heal homosexuality, and the church alone has led the way to demonize homos and homosexuality. Period. No reconcialiton efforts there from christians whatsoever, they who do evil in Jesus’ name. The body of christ desrves the hatred it gets fior the world knows (like jesus did) that religion contributes far more evil to this life than good. Spare me. Holy scriptures?! Are you seripous? What about the countless offensive, draconian laws in the Old Testament? And the contradictions, mistranslation,etc….? I certainly believe some parts of the bible as truthful but the rest from the fancy mythmaking of (jewish men). It’s up to individuals to make up their own mind. As for agreeing to disagree, that’s deceptive bullshit on the part of christians. I cannot accept someone’s beliefs who sees my homosexality as evil-that is insane violence against my soul, having suffered all my life.. I am a mighty eunuch, clearly fashioned this way from the creator’s power. Teaching anti-gay poison as the church and all religions have done has poisoned the lives of numerous, wondrous souls throughout history, and literally have made everyone’s lives a living hell.
Progression
>>I’ve been meaning to watch it
>>but I thought it was another make believe
>>series on TV.
Shabaka, it’s not make-believe, but they have taken some liberties with historical facts. Some of the portrayals rely on extreme-fringe scholarly theory. The king apparently spends most of his days copulating, with some time off for jousting and eating. JRM is undressed in every episode – although they have not yet shown him in full frontal. They might show him full frontal if the ratings slump. The scripts are very serviceable, and somehow, with a television budget, they’ve managed to assemble a cast of acclaimed actors, such as Jeremy Northam and Peter O’Toole. Season 2 ended with Ann Boleyn decapitated. I can’t believe that every one of Henry’s queens deserves an entire season devoted to her, however. I also doubt that JRM will be donning a fat suit to document Henry’s descent into morbid obesity.
Shabaka
Sounds juicy! Ha! Thanks, PROGRESSION!