tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post4188322182508696551..comments2024-02-15T03:32:25.686-05:00Comments on Preludium, Anglican and Episcopal futures: Archbishop blows his ecclesial horn: the last trumpet has sounded.Mark Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06871096746243771489noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-13318320106012695832009-08-02T23:40:16.639-04:002009-08-02T23:40:16.639-04:00Deliberately obtuse, Mr. Brown.
Show me St. Peter...Deliberately obtuse, Mr. Brown.<br /><br />Show me St. Peter's vision, show me Paul's vision - get them here personally to describe it, to show me footage of it - and you'll be on firmer ground than anyone who makes our claims; otherwise, you are simply part of a faithless generation demanding signs.MarkBrunsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16971990948866488080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-17697976311910566262009-08-01T12:13:36.850-04:002009-08-01T12:13:36.850-04:00Mark Brunson:
If you know of anyone who claims to...Mark Brunson:<br /><br />If you know of anyone who claims to have had a vision from God that is relevant, I would be most interested in seeing a detailed account of the vision itself, the context of the vision, and the background of the person who had the vision. Each report of a vision should be evaluated on its own merits. <br /><br />William K:<br /><br />If there are not any non-celibate LGBT folks who display the Pentecostal gifts, I think that is important and relevant evidence to whether the Gentile eligibility story from the early Church is analogous to non-celibate LGBT eligibility.<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Mark Brown<br />San Angelo, Texas<br />August 1, 2009Mark Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00169937442115690817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-36295040141686298972009-07-31T00:01:04.413-04:002009-07-31T00:01:04.413-04:00Mr. Brown,
The short answer to your questions is t...Mr. Brown,<br />The short answer to your questions is that we are NOT Pentecostalists.<br /><br />By the way, the word "sodomy" appears nowhere in the original language documents of Scripture.WilliamKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14545955266846478775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-3429033697832314012009-07-30T23:35:56.030-04:002009-07-30T23:35:56.030-04:00I'm sorry, Mr. Brown, but all of that sounds l...I'm sorry, Mr. Brown, but all of that sounds like so much hot air! <br /><br />How do we know that Peter had any visions? The Bible? So?<br /><br />Look, our faith is in God, not in paper. Nor is it in some magical-thinking in which God comes down and points and says "Woohoo! Teh gays is aaaalllriiight!"<br /><br />Visions?<br /><br />Yes. We've told you about them. Then you told us about yours. Neither was convinced, but the greater claim is for those who've had living experience rather than mere tradition or scripture.<br /><br />Humans are fallible?<br /><br />Indeed! They are! That's why Jesus assured <i>each</i> of us the Holy Spirit as advocate. That fallibility extends back to the beginning, as well. Right back to the writers of the Bible, in fact. But, simply put, our "visions" are just as good as Peter's, our witness is just as good, the fruit has been just as good. On the other hand, the orthodite witness is no less self-righteous, self-serving, and self-indulgent than that of the "circumcision/purity party" of Peter's day. <br /><br />So, I'm afraid there's no ground to cover there that hasn't been covered already.<br /><br />And, yes, you're claiming the Mind of God for yourself. If we told you that gay is the only way to go, or that you are not allowed to hate gays, or that you cannot be Christian and turn your back on gays, we would be claiming the Mind of God for ourselves. <br /><br />You believe you're right, we believe we're right, so on we go . . . separately . . . and God will have mercy on all of true goodwill.MarkBrunsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16971990948866488080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-15832406388358493952009-07-30T21:00:50.026-04:002009-07-30T21:00:50.026-04:00William:
Thank you for your reply. Please note, ...William:<br /><br />Thank you for your reply. Please note, however, that my post did not address “who” is excluded or rejected. Rather, it addressed the fallacy and danger of humans trying to dictate rules to the Lord God Almighty. <br /><br />Even under the New Covenant, I believe irreverence before the Lord still carries a harsh penalty. Acts 5:1-11 describes the death penalty suffered by Ananias and Sapphira. In Hebrews 12:28, St. Paul cautions us to approach the Lord with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. <br /><br />With respect to St. Peter’s embrace of the Gentiles, I think it is crucial to realize that Peter was not responding to human philosophy, political activism, deconstruction of the Old Testament, or guilt. St. Peter embraced the Gentiles based on visible, spiritually-authoritative encounters with the Holy Spirit: <br /><br /> (1) Peter had a vision <br /> (2) that was corroborated by a devout, God-fearing Gentile’s vision <br /> (3) that was corroborated by the Gentiles visibly experiencing the Pentecostal gifts. Acts 10:1 - 11:18. <br /><br />Have there been analogous encounters with the Holy Spirit with respect to whether sodomy is no longer sinful? <br /><br /> ... Has a saintly person had a vision that God no longer views sodomy as sinful? <br /> ... Has that vision been corroborated by another devout person’s vision? <br /> ... Have those visions been corroborated by a number of sodomitically-active persons visibly experiencing the Pentecostal gifts? <br /> ... Has the spiritual authority of all those occurrences been evaluated?<br /> <br /> ... Has anyone had any contrary visions? <br /> ... What is the spiritual authority of those occurrences? <br /> ... Have they been corroborated by other spiritually-authoritative events?<br /><br />Mustn’t all these questions be answered before we can credibly analogize to the Gentile revelation that was so plainly communicated by the Holy Spirit?<br /> <br /><br />Respectfully,<br /><br />Mark Brown<br />San Angelo, Texas<br />July 30, 2009Mark Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00169937442115690817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-34165904416407780252009-07-30T20:42:56.416-04:002009-07-30T20:42:56.416-04:00Hmmm...since I can't ever remember a time I di...Hmmm...since I can't ever remember a time I didn't believe in God, it seems logical that faith has played a large role in my views on "fundamental human rights." I do know when I ask God to help me in conflicted times, the answers start coming when I ask Him how to handle the situation with love.<br /><br />At the moderately old age of 51, I realize it's unusual that as a teenager I knew gays who could be out in certain activities in my life. The younger you are when you learn how unimportant such things are, the easier it is to realize that the differences aren't lewd or sinful on a basic human level. And it certainly means I understand a "gay marriage" is grounded on the same good (or not so) principles as any other! Be practical, please! All good "unions" are filled with the same things: God, church, family, friends, helping the less fortunate, a safe and happy home, food on the table...and yes, sharing all those gifts and burdens with someone you love is a gift. <br /><br />I hope that those who feel differently from me (and others here) realize this isn't a "cause." We are ready to be judged by our Maker on this, and all other decisions for that matter.<br /><br />Reading scripture with an eye to culture and history brings great riches. So does reading it with today's eyes. But you must do both, and then ask for God's guidance when you find conflicts. God teaches us new things every day based on deeper understanding. Accept that gift, and you will find your in your relationship with God will always grow, and in wonderful ways.<br /><br />Shall we all pray for the Church in these divisive times? That God's will be done, not ours. One side is wrong, of course, and He is the only one guiding us on our path.Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09748809418423591030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-86865003671315175552009-07-30T09:22:46.595-04:002009-07-30T09:22:46.595-04:00Dear Mark Brown,
I wonder how you are so confident...Dear Mark Brown,<br />I wonder how you are so confident about God's view of his "LGBT" children? Perhaps there is, indeed, some confusion about who is God here????<br /><br />Anyway, I'll see your dubiously relevant Old Testament story and raise you a New Testament one: have a look at Acts 10, where St. Peter learns not to call common what God has cleansed and then says, "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34-35). My suggestion: get to know some "LGBT" Christians, look at their lives, and then think about whether or not God has accepted them. It's disappointing to have to point this out to a brother Christian... but, Mr. Brown, we are no longer under the Old Covenant with its divisions between those who were more or less holy and more or less able to enter the presence of God. Now, as St. Peter says, "God shows no partiality." You might also have a look at the Letter to the Hebrews, where we learn that God has appointed a non-Levite Great High Priest, who has once-for-all broken the barrier between God and humankind.<br /><br /><i>In telling the Lord how things are, perhaps we need to act with a bit more humility, fear and trembling.</i><br /><br />Yes, indeed. This is a message that needs to be heard by those who would exclude God's "LGBT" children.<br /><br />Mr. Brown, I would never presume to tell you that God has rejected or excluded you. As a sinner saved by grace I am no position to do so; what gives you the ability to tell others that God has rejected and excluded them?WilliamKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14545955266846478775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-44504987341473377212009-07-30T07:41:09.368-04:002009-07-30T07:41:09.368-04:00The ABC's message was upsetting on several lev...The ABC's message was upsetting on several levels. I can't read his use of "lifestyle choice" terminology as anything but inaccurate, disappointing, and damaging.<br /><br />On a different note, what happens now ? Break-away churches are typically just that--break-away churches. They are free to break and go their merry way. Williams has interrupted and complicated this familiar narrative. What could have been your garden variety, schismatic sect now has a level of stature and a legitimacy it wouldn't otherwise have had..What will the results be ? He has taken the wrong template and tried to "fit it" onto the current situation. In doing so he is completely dismissive of the LGBT community, TEC, Schori and General Convention. It was clear to most in the U.S. that the reactionaries asked to get out of the car. Is Williams setting them up in a new automobile trying to vy for space on the same road--or worse yet, has he put them back in the same car and stated that the best way to drive is just to put in a second steering wheel ? I'm not sure in what possible way Williams thinks this will end well.<br /><br />I love hearing stories of parishioners who eventually "came around" to receiving communion from female priests. They are beautiful stories of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit that can happen as we grow in worship and relationship in our faith communities. Williams has said, however unintentionally, "You don't have to grow. Just walk out." Not only has he interrupted what could have been a predictable narrative, but he has needlessly complicated spiritual maturation for so many people. Could the two-tiered system lead to a kind of ecclesiastically-sanctioned arrested development ?<br />JaggerAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07778002709182762523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-14154835216252327762009-07-30T00:07:12.349-04:002009-07-30T00:07:12.349-04:00"More of the usual from "Robroy":&q..."More of the usual from "Robroy":"<br /><br />Who must have a google alert every time the word, 'Episcopal' comes up so he can write something negative about the church. His (I am assuming it is a he) posts crop up EVERYWHERE. I am amazed at the amount of free time he must have to post in so many different places (I check comments on newspaper articles, expecting to find something from Robroy or Robroi).Caminantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16610142955176992982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-9888688502918832692009-07-29T23:25:20.458-04:002009-07-29T23:25:20.458-04:00Mr. Brown,
The last I checked, Brown wasn't a...Mr. Brown,<br /><br />The last I checked, Brown wasn't a Levitic name, either, so . . . zap?<br /><br />Sorry, but the orthodites are no less claiming authority to speak for God than you say we are. It doesn't wash. <br /><br />And, if you think TEC's actions were done rashly, impulsively, without theological debate, without concern for the wider world, without reference to God, you either have been ignoring the whole situation or are completely new to all this.MarkBrunsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16971990948866488080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-48888960405491939252009-07-29T23:21:47.223-04:002009-07-29T23:21:47.223-04:00There is more than enough legitimate basis for res...<i>There is more than enough legitimate basis for resentment on all sides.</i><br /><br />No. That's actually not true.<br /><br />The orthodites still have no legitimate cause for their reaction. Sorry. Others may feel differently, but they're wrong.MarkBrunsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16971990948866488080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-67944531477141887482009-07-29T20:44:15.914-04:002009-07-29T20:44:15.914-04:00More of the usual from "Robroy": Rowan W...More of the usual from "Robroy": <i>Rowan Williams rightly compares practicing homosexuals* with co-habitating heterosexuals - both are having sexual relations outside of Christian marriage. Hence both should be disqualified from the ministry. Sexual activity outside of Christian marriage IS a choice. Doing it on an ongoing basis IS a "lifestyle."</i><br /><br />Well, there is a simple solution to the problem of gay and lesbian folk having all this sex outside of "Christian marriage". Let them have Christian marriages! God-willing, we're on the way to that now after TEC's latest GC.<br /><br />By the way, are Buddhist, or Jewish, or Zoroastrian heterosexuals sinning when they have sex outside of "Christian marriage," given that they have Buddhist, Jewish, or Zoroastrian marriages? Have you ever seen a couple who converted to Christianity from one of these faiths RE-married in a Christian ceremony? Robroy, if you study the witness of Scripture and Tradition, you'll find that the validity of a marriage does not depend on the Church's affirmation; it is God who brings people together. Faithful gay and lesbian couples who have been brought together by God are "married" according to the Creation Ordinance regardless of what the Church might say.<br /><br /><i>*Yes, I agree. "Practicing homosexual" or "non-celibate homosexual" are awkward, silly terms but so is "celibate homosexual". It would be far simpler if said that homosexuals are those who are "practicing", that is are engaging in same sex sexual relations on an ongoing basis rather than those that had a same sex attraction or had a same sex "fling" in college.</i><br /><br />This is tiresome. Homosexual orientation is no more mere "attraction" than heterosexual orientation is. Certainly, there is such a thing as a "celibate homosexual." That's a person with a homosexual sexual orientation who chooses not to engage in sexual activity (for whatever reason). It's exactly the same as a heterosexual person who is celibate, and no less heterosexual. Our sexuality is part of who we ARE, not simply a matter of what we DO with our genitals.<br /><br />The fact the people continue to refer to homosexuality this way, as nothing more than a "tendency," "inclination," or "attraction," reveals that they haven't begun to listen to homosexual people as they have been repeatedly asked to do. It belittles and demeans us.WilliamKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14545955266846478775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-73047758599496110972009-07-29T19:26:58.454-04:002009-07-29T19:26:58.454-04:00Why doesn't God adopt the "LGBT" def...Why doesn't God adopt the "LGBT" definition of human rights? Perhaps because, as one devout Episcopal priest often says: "He thinks He's God."<br /><br />In tbe Old Testament, Book of Numbers, Chapter 16, two hundred and fifty Israelites insist to Moses that they are just as holy as the appointed priests are, and that the Lord is among them too, and therefore they should be able to carry out priestly functions just like Aaron and Aaron’s family. When these 250 then appear before the Tent of Meeting with their lighted bronze censers, the Lord God Almighty vaporizes them. The Lord then directs Moses to retrieve the 250 bronze censers which are scattered amongst the remnants of the inferno, and to hammer them into an altar covering to remind the people of Israel that eligibility to perform priestly duties is defined by the Lord God Almighty and the penalty for disregarding that rule can be severe. <br /><br />Should we be surprised that the Creator operates on more complex levels of justice and order than some of his creations can easily understand? <br /><br />In telling the Lord how things are, perhaps we need to act with a bit more humility, fear and trembling.<br /><br /><br />Mark Brown<br />San Angelo, Texas<br />July 29, 2009Mark Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00169937442115690817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-7717843697250834452009-07-29T17:12:53.058-04:002009-07-29T17:12:53.058-04:00The Archbishop's message was upsetting on seve...The Archbishop's message was upsetting on several levels. I can't read his use of "lifestyle choice" terminology as anything but inaccurate, disappointing, and damaging.I keep rereading. the text hasn't changed. <br /><br />On a different note, what happens now ? Break-away churches are typically just that...break-away churches. They are free to break and go their merry way. Williams has interrupted and complicated this familiar narrative. What could have been your garden variety, schismatic sect now has a level of stature and a legitimacy it might not have had otherwise. He has taken the wrong template and tried to "fit it" onto the current situation. In doing so, he is dismissive of TEC, Schori, and General Convention. What will the results be ? It was clear to most in the U.S. that the reactionaries asked to get out of the car. Is Williams setting them up in a new automobile trying to vy for space on the same road--or worse yet, has he put them back in the same car and stated that the best way to drive is just to put in a second steering wheel ? I don't see how this is supposed to play out.<br />I love hearing stories of parishioners who eventually "came around" to receiving communion from female priests. They are beautiful stories of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit that can happen as we grow in worship and in relationship in our faith communities. Williams has said, however unintentionally, "You don't have to grow. Just walk out." Could the two-tiered system become a kind of ecclesiastically-sanctioned arrested development ?<br />G.BrooksAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07778002709182762523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-49665422856046051382009-07-29T15:02:49.302-04:002009-07-29T15:02:49.302-04:00As a relatively new Episcopalian I have been perpl...As a relatively new Episcopalian I have been perplexed for some time about why the Episcopal Church has allowed it's witness to the gospel to be so heavily influenced by the anger and threats of other national churches...particularly those in Nigeria and Uganda which are headed by bishops who seem captive to a spirit of hatred and fear. If that is what is required in order to be a member of the Anglican "club" then why would we want to belong? Other than an all expenses paid trip to Lambeth for the bishops every 10 years, what would be lost if we said that we are not interested in being a "observer" member of an Anglican Church whose leadership (all of the terrible liberals having been run out) undoubtedly will be in the mold of Peter Akinola<br /><br />On the issue of money, I am happy to have a small percentage of my donations spent to help an Anglican umbrella group, but I don't want a single cent sent to support the kind of global "church" envisioned by Archbishop Williams. Why don't we just say, thank you, no...we'd rather be in communion with those who practice the gospel and recognize us as fellow Christians? <br /><br />In terms of placing adherence to a man made covenant above living out the gospel in our lives, I must, as a Christian, follow the teachings of Jesus clearly laid out in passages such as Matthew 7 and Matthew 25:31-36.Dan Hutchinsonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-2867164943562825822009-07-29T14:49:14.187-04:002009-07-29T14:49:14.187-04:00Mark wrote: "I deeply resent the occasions in...Mark wrote: "I deeply resent the occasions in which the leadership of ACNA says that TEC is unChristian, not faithful, etc. "<br />Probably no more than they resent being called thieves, homophobes, inciters of violence against gay and lesbian persons, schismatics, donatists, etc., etc. There is more than enough legitimate basis for resentment on all sides. <br />GeorgeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-51450394854302560042009-07-29T14:33:24.318-04:002009-07-29T14:33:24.318-04:00aintmary+Cantaur is too Anglican for us to take hi...aintmary+Cantaur is too Anglican for us to take him at his word. The two tier talk is as much threat to TEC as realistic speculation about the "consequences" so that we'll get back in the closet. Rowan wants us to be like CofE where a higher percentage of GLBT clergy are still closeted than are in TEC. <br />When he says "choices have consequences" he's not talking about choosing to be GLBT, he's talking about choosing to be GLBT AND OUT. Come out and stay out and you will be fed at the kids' table. Get back in the closet -- where all good Anglicans know to stay -- and we'll wink and nudge you at the "grown-ups" table. He is leaving us no other options. <br />There's another unspoken piece to this. +Cantaur's only hope of a one tier AC is to keep the global south bishops at the table. Our repentant closeted-ness joined to CofE's well mannered reserve in these matters at least gives him some hope with the Africans who are currently keeping their own secrets about polygamy, slavery, and racism will be inclined to stay. <br />All of this is offered in the form of good welsh academic muddleheadedness with just enough left unsaid so that +Cantaur can deny having given us permission to do anything but repent and abstain. <br />I didn't know a Welshman could be so paternalistic. Wink, Wink.The Very Rev. Daniel B. Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05205607142223107826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-11771072865125908472009-07-29T14:24:20.537-04:002009-07-29T14:24:20.537-04:00"The notion that TEC is captive to the cultur..."The notion that TEC is captive to the culture in its efforts to be inclusive of gay and lesbian persons is <b>prattled about</b>, and we need to take it seriously as a possibility...<b>Playing the cultural captivity card here is a hasty overstatement at best and dirty pool at worse.</b>"<br /><br />Wow. Is that taking it seriously??? <br /><br />"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."<br />---<br />Rowan Williams rightly compares practicing homosexuals* with co-habitating heterosexuals - both are having sexual relations outside of Christian marriage. Hence both should be disqualified from the ministry. Sexual activity outside of Christian marriage IS a choice. Doing it on an ongoing basis IS a "lifestyle."<br /><br />*Yes, I agree. "Practicing homosexual" or "non-celibate homosexual" are awkward, silly terms but so is "celibate homosexual". It would be far simpler if said that homosexuals are those who are "practicing", that is are engaging in same sex sexual relations on an ongoing basis rather than those that had a same sex attraction or had a same sex "fling" in college.robroynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-9436906919956510372009-07-29T14:07:33.680-04:002009-07-29T14:07:33.680-04:00Dear Mark, et al,
I've never been the brightes...Dear Mark, et al,<br />I've never been the brightest star in the constellation and somewhere in the Gospel and/or the ABC's long and involved commentary I seem to have missed an important truth. Is the ABC saying that Christian theology/practice lives in a different room than "fundamental human rights," and "human dignity?" Have I been repeating the Baptismal Covenant all these years, especially the last part about respecting the dignity of every human being, believing that this IS Christian theology and practice only to find out now that they're different? Apparently "appealing" to mere "fundamental human rights" and "human dignity" is to appeal to a lesser truth than "public teaching," which other commenters have rightly pointed out has been at times downright evil. <br /><br />To be honest, I'm not sure the ABC even believes his own words. I read the whole thing as another of his admirable but futile attempts to play both sides of the field and keep the Communion from falling apart under his watch. I think you're right that it's the last trumpet. The cause was lost long ago.<br /><br />PatPat Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03299669963755080250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-83967704926413220762009-07-29T13:24:11.331-04:002009-07-29T13:24:11.331-04:00+Rowan has been floating his two-tier/two-track pr...+Rowan has been floating his two-tier/two-track proposal for some 3 years now, and I have yet to see a single taker, either on the left or on the right. Is this a dreamland of his own making, or a real possibility?Rolinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13251910335736110149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-50791762743115962892009-07-29T12:45:16.164-04:002009-07-29T12:45:16.164-04:00Mark, I have a somewhat different take on Rowan...Mark, I have a somewhat different take on Rowan's mind here. I think he is being more diagnostic than proscriptive. I'll say more at my own place, but I do appreciate your take on this, even as my own is a bit more optimistic.Tobias Stanislas Haller BSGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08047429477181560685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-90169458201484885212009-07-29T11:48:48.936-04:002009-07-29T11:48:48.936-04:00Scott B... I am glad you have found a home in ACNA...Scott B... I am glad you have found a home in ACNA and appreciate your wishing TEC all the best.<br /><br />In the future your kind remark may be the norm on both sides. For now, however, you may find the doings on this blog a bit cantankerous (sp?) since I deeply resent the occasions in which the leadership of ACNA says that TEC is unChristian, not faithful, etc. <br /><br />Please visit often and contribute to the conversation.Mark Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06871096746243771489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-38178844988523132352009-07-29T11:44:05.336-04:002009-07-29T11:44:05.336-04:00thanks for your comments re: ecumenical discussion...thanks for your comments re: ecumenical discussions. I really hadn't thought all that through. To take a 'for instance,' if CoE made peace with Rome, does the ABC think for a moment that all the other covenanted provinces of the AC would go along with that? Sadly, this is more of the same blah blah that his Grace has saddled himself with in his role as preserver of 'unity' at any price. I respect and admire him, feel very sorry for his life in this tough place - but feel absolutely no need to worry about what he thinks... and that's too badFr Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04232925124388686609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-57345203169647757902009-07-29T11:35:24.309-04:002009-07-29T11:35:24.309-04:00I just "discovered" your blog. It's...I just "discovered" your blog. It's funny how perceptions can differ -- I'm in an ACNA parish, which I helped found after leaving TEC five months ago. I love my new parish and am very excited about ACNA, which gives me an opportunity to worship with people who share my faith. I was very pleased at Archbishop Duncan's letter to the Anglican Communion, which wasn't at all sad (as it appeared to you). It expresses our hopefulness and gratitude for our new church. I don't miss TEC at all. I wish you in TEC all the best.Scott Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10326675.post-1260039233979852142009-07-29T10:40:12.575-04:002009-07-29T10:40:12.575-04:00I find the subtitle the most amusing part. "B...I find the subtitle the most amusing part. "Bishops, Clergy, and Faithful"-- 'cause bishops and clergy aren't faithful? <br /><br />As for the rest of it, well, I said my piece on my own blog yesterday. Every time +Cantaur talks lately, my congregationalist knee jerks.Mary Suehttp://orderofsantaignora.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com