The Midnight Ride to Malibu

A major highlight of my entire time in L.A., just for the record.



For more info on the outhouses, click here or here. For more information on A.J. Weberman, click here. Daylight view is here. More info on the tour is here. No further information available on the bunny.

Final Anglican TV General Convention Report

Bishop N.T. Wright's letter is here.

What else can we do?

Results of Voting on C056

They are about to announce the voting on C056 on the blessing of same sex unions.

108 total votes received lay
108 total votes received clerical
55 needed for majority lay
55 needed for majority clerical

Lay:
78 yes received
23 no received
7 divided received (counted no)
72% carried

Clerical
74 yes received
27 no received
7 divided received (counted no)
68.5% carried

2/3rds majority in both orders

A Letter to Rowan: Slip Sliding Away ...

So Bonnie Anderson and Katharine Jefferts Schori have written a letter explaining things to Rowan Williams, which is quite contrary to what was actually said in debates on the floor of both the House of Deputies and House of Bishops.

Let's just recall what D025 actually says:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm the continued participation of The Episcopal Church as a constituent member of the Anglican Communion; give thanks for the work of the bishops at the Lambeth Conference of 2008; reaffirm the abiding commitment of The Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion and seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention encourage 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; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm its financial commitment to the Anglican Communion and pledge to participate fully in the Inter-Anglican Budget; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm the value of "listening to the experience of homosexual persons," as called for by the Lambeth Conferences of 1978, 1988, and 1998, and acknowledge that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize 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" (2000-D039); and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention recognize 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; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm that God has called and may call such individuals, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church, and that God's call to the ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church is a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge that members of The Episcopal Church as of the Anglican Communion, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and in light of tradition and reason, are not of one mind, and Christians of good conscience disagree about some of these matters.

What Schori and Anderson attempt to maintain - despite the rejoicing going on in the progressive quarters of this church here at General Convention - that they are just acknowledging "certain realities of our common life." Then they assert "Nothing in the Resolution goes beyond what has already been provided under our Constitution and Canons for many years." Well, that's a stretch because the Constitution and Canons call for affirmation of the following by all ordained persons:

I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Episcopal Church. Declaration." (Article III)

Earlier, the Constitution declares that the Episcopal Church is committed to "upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer. " (Preamble of the Constitution of The Episcopal Church).

Resolution D025 (as does C056) do not conform with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church which recognize the authority and teaching on scripture which is quite clear about what is considered holy living. The Faith and Order set forth in the Book of Common Prayer only recognizes matrimony between a man and woman as being holy living.

The Windsor Report recognized that and those facts on the ground have not changed. That The Episcopal Church is now not only admitting that this type of behavior has been welcomed, it has promoted it as a tool for bringing new members into the church (with disastrous results). The Spirit is doing a new thing, they say - either that is true or it is not. The Episcopal Church is rejoicing that it is true and they are no longer to pretend otherwise.

The word-smithing in this letter reflects the duplicity of the doublethink of the leadership of this General Convention. On one hand they want to explain to Rowan Williams the "complex and deliberative nature of our legislative process" and then on the other hand wants to explain that B033 is not repealed, it's just now read in light of D025 (and C056 which is on its way) - which in fact, repeals B033 as deputy after deputy after deputy after bishop after bishop after bishop said! Who do they think they are fooling? The Archbishop of Canterbury? Do they think he's that stupid?

They write this letter even before the passage of C056 which makes it abundantly clear that B033 is done, finished - as deputy after deputy after deputy attested. Nice timing, there, ladies.

Did Bonnie Anderson ever say anything to the House of Deputies to clarify their thinking - no, a thousand times no. She sat in silence as deputy after deputy after deputy repudiated B033.

Did the Presiding Bishop ever say anything in the public sessions to clarify the resolutions from what bishop after bishop after bishop said it was, both D025 and C056, did she ever say anything that even hints at what she attempts to say in this letter to Rowan? No. No, no, no.

The letter is sanctimonious and self-congratulatory and never quotes the Windsor Report or Lambeth 1.10 or the Dar es Salaam Communique or even B033 not even once. They attempt to pull the wool over Canterbury's eyes by saying, well, it's not what it really looks like because, well, we just hope (wink wink) that the Episcopal leadership will "continue to exercise prayerful discernment in making such decisions, mindful and appreciative of our relationships in the Anglican Communion." No, no, no, no - a thousand times no. Bishop after bishop after bishop after deputy after deputy after deputy saw this resolution and the one that follows it as liberation from B033 and the Windsor Report and Lambeth 1.10 (except for the bits they like and quote). They changed the wording in Title IV so that the word "Communion" now means "the Episcopal Church" - not the Communion, not the Anglican Communion.

Make no mistake about it - the intent here is to dare the Rowan Williams to say anything - for if he does, if he dares, the Episcopal Church stands ready to declare itself a victim, even as it slashes $24 million from its budget and sends staffers packing. There's nothing wrong, no, really.

If that's no enough, we have Bishop Schori writing to the "Anglican Primates" attaching a copy of the letter to Rowan Williams, writing:

TO THE PRIMATES OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION:

15 July 2009

Dear Brothers in Christ,

My heart was filled with joy at seeing so many of you here last week at the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church meeting in Anaheim, California. It is important to me that we continue to find ways to communicate with one another directly about our different cultural and ecclesial contexts, and thereby prevent any misunderstandings.

For this reason, I am sending you a copy of a letter addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury and co-signed by myself and the President of our House of Deputies. It outlines in some detail Resolution D025, which was adopted at this Convention, explaining both what this resolution means and what it does not mean. With so much misinformation circulating through the press and other sources, it is crucial to me that I provide the Archbishop and all of you with accurate information. To this end, I am also attaching a copy of Resolution D025, so that you may read it in its entirety for yourself.

As the attached letter notes, some people have been concerned that the adoption of D025 has effectively repealed the 2006 General Convention Resolution B033. Let me stress that this is not the case. Rather, we understand D025 to be more descriptive than prescriptive in nature, acknowledging the realities we face in various parts of our own Church while reaffirming our ongoing commitment on all levels to our relationships within the Anglican Communion.

I would welcome any questions or feedback you might have, and reiterate yet again my profound appreciation and joy at having so many of you with us as we gathered as a Church to worship, fellowship, and deliberate together. May God continue to bless your ministries and strengthen our bonds of affection.

Your servant in Christ,

KJS

One again, she attempts to take the victim platform - stating "With so much misinformation circulating through the press and other sources, it is crucial to me that I provide the Archbishop and all of you with accurate information." She and Bonnie Anderson did not dare to say what's written in these letters publicly here at General Convention for they must have anticipated the (understandable) outrage from the Integrity-aligned folks that would have been deafening. This is a bald face lie and she couldn't say it publicly, writing these letters to the leadership as though they will believe her. In fact, during the key points of debating D025, not one Anglican leader was sitting at the three tables set aside for them in the House of Bishop. Not one. They were gone, gone, gone.

They are now playing showtunes on the floor of the House of Deputies as we await the announcement followed by "Slip Sliding Away."

Slip sliding away, slip sliding away
You know the nearer your destination,
the more you slip sliding away
Oh God only knows, God makes his plan
The information's unavailable to the mortal man
Were workin' our jobs, collect our pay
Believe were gliding down the highway,
when in fact were slip sliding away
Slip sliding away, slip sliding away
You know the nearer your destination,
the more you slip sliding away

Rowan Williams said he didn't speak on coded language when he was here. But these resolutions are filled with coded language and it's clear that if Katharine Jefferts Schori and Bonnie Anderson are writing three-page-letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury they are severely worried. That they couldn't say their own worries to their own houses says more about the duplicity of their actions - and clarifies to all that The Episcopal Church has set its sights on slip sliding away into the sunset.

Peter Ould gets it right in his posting of this video:



Fulcrum, known for its moderating tone, has responded rather forcefully to the passing of C056. Don't know how Bishop Schori and Bonnie Anderson will be able to explain that one away - which may be why they took the time to write about D025 and not wait until the end of General Convention to write about both.

Integrity puts it this way:

We came to this convention committed to moving the church beyond B033 and forward on equality for the blessing of same-sex unions--and we are beyond gratified that we have realized both of those goals.

Thirty three years after promising a "full and equal claim" to the gay and lesbian baptized, the Episcopal Church has affirmed equal access to ordination processes for all orders of ministry for all the baptized, has approved a broad local option for the blessings of our relationships, and has called the church to work together toward common liturgical expressions of those blessings.

It is a great day for the church and a greater day for the witness to God’s inclusive love.

Convention Deputy and Communion Partners Rector, Dan Martin, however, puts it this way:

"The biggest irony in Anaheim is that the convention theme--Ubuntu: You in me and I in you--is being understood totally from a constricted provincial perspective," Dan Martin writes. "The universe in which the 'spirit of Ubuntu' is ackowledged to operate is limited to 'this church.' If we were able to get beyond our own collective narcissism, and hear the rest of the Anglican Communion saying "Ubuntu" to us, we would see what hypocrites we are."

Last word finally goes to Mr. Dylan, who seems to sum up the this General Convention best:



It's all right, cause it's all good. We'll just bless what the culture does cause, well, you know what they say, man, it's all good.

Brick by brick,
they tear you down.
A teacup of water
is enough to drown.
You oughta know,
if they could, they would
whatever's goin' down,
it's all good.
All good.
Said it's all good.

B. Dylan 2009

Signatures on the Anaheim Statement

1. The Rt. Rev James Adams, Western Kansas
2. The Rt. Rev Lloyd Allen, Honduras
3. The Rt. Rev David Alvarez, Puerto Rico
4. The Rt. Rev John Bauerschmidt, Tennessee
5. The Rt. Rev Peter Beckwith, Springfield
6. The Rt. Rev Franklin Brookhart, Montana (Voted Yes on D025)
7. The Rt. Rev William Frey, Rio Grande
8. The Rt. Rev Dorsey Henderson, Upper South Carolina (Voted Yes on D025 and C056)
9. The Rt. Rev John Howe, Central Florida
10. The Rt. Rev Russell Jacobus, Fond du Lac
11. The Rt. Rev Don Johnson, West Tennessee (Voted Yes on D025)
12. The Rt. Rev Mark Lawrence, South Carolina
13. The Rt. Rev Gary Lillibridge, West Texas
14. The Rt. Rev Edward Little, Northern Indiana
15. The Rt. Rev William Love, Albany
16. The Rt. Rev Bruce MacPherson, Western Louisiana
17. The Rt. Rev Alfredo Morante, Litoral Ecuador (Voted Yes on C056)
18. The Rt. Rev Henry Parsley, Alabama (Voted Yes on C056)
19. The Rt. Rev Michael Smith, North Dakota
20. The Rt. Rev James Stanton, Dallas
21. The Rt. Rev Pierre Whalon, Convocation of American Churches in Europe (Voted Yes on D025 and C056)
22. The Rt. Rev Paul Lambert, Suffragan-Dallas
23. The Rt. Rev David Reed, Suffragan-West Texas
24. The Rt. Rev Sylestre Romero, Assistant-- New Jersey (Voted Yes on D025)
25. The Rt. Rev John Sloan, Suffragan--Alabama (Voted Yes on C056)
26. The Rt. Rev Jeffrey Rowthorn, Retired-Convocation of American Churches in Europe
27. The Rt. Rev Don Wimberly, Retired-Texas

The Anaheim Statement text is here.

Friday: Live Blogging the House of Deputies

As the deputies arrive in the big hall at the Anaheim Conference Center this morning they are greeted by the sounds of this filling the halls:



Alas, the video they are showing with the Beatles classic is a showcase of scenes from General Convention.

We are hearing short comments on William White who was the first (and fourth) Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. The speaker notes that today is that that Episcopalians remember him. The speaker says Episcopalians owe their polity to William White. Then the speaker goes on to talk about the goal of making human energy and God energy compatible. Have no idea what that means.

"God's energy passes through bishops, priests, and deacons" was a focus of William White, we're told, something that is not true in other parts of the Anglican Communion - or so says the speaker.

Here's what Wiki says about William White, "Rector of St. Peter's and of Christ Church for 57 years, White also served as Chaplain of the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1789, and subsequently as Chaplain of the Senate. White was the only Episcopal cleric in Pennsylvania who sided with the American revolutionary cause, while the other ordained priests remained loyal to the British."

It seems as though - in the midst of broken friendships - the focus is on William White the Revolutionary, as The Episcopal Church makes radical decisions that cause it to walk apart from the official teachings of the Anglican Communion.

Have learned that the entire South Carolina deputation has gone home but one, Steve Wood. Many do leave on Friday thinking that General Convention is basically over. But for veterans, this is a misnomer. Much of the landmark legislation comes up on the last day - this happened in my very first General Convention in 1994 and it happened at the last one in 2006 when B033 was put before both houses in the waning hours of General Convention in Columbus. Even the dreaded and controversial "Dennis Canon" was passed in the final minutes of General Convention in the 1970s, long after deputies and bishps have become so punchy all they want to do is go home, it's been such a hard day's night. But cheers and prayers to Steve as he remains as the voice on the floor for the Diocese of South Carolina.

LATER: Lydia Evans was also present in the South Carolina delegation. ;-)

There is now a call to suspend House Rule 24 for the remainder of General Convention. Rule 24 says that accept by a vote of 2/3rds, no new business requiring action shall be introduced into the house - and no new business in the last two business days, etc. So the deputies are preparing to suspend Rule 24, which is habitually suspended it's sort of hard to figure out why it's there at all.

Reconsider C023 is now being presented. This is the resolution on opposing the Marriage Defense Act that requests all Episcopalians to oppose. The deputy says that though he voted for it he thinks it was poorly understood and all the non-US dioceses voted no. Now debate is underway - with another deputy saying the bishops will amend it. The next deputy says its in opposition to Angilcanism since it says "all Episcopalians." Next deputy also support reconsideration. Amendments want to be presented to temper language. Obviously they have heard from people back home.

Deputies are now voting to reconsider. Reconsideration fails, the vote was not two thirds but seemed fairly split with the no's still outweighing the ayes.

Now attention turns to other legislation which is just being read out as a list of items discharged (in other words they will not be acted on at this General Convention).

Louie Crew is seated near the press section. Coincidence? He keeps walking over to the press section to talk to people - just as he's done in years passed. Louie is a long-time deputy for the Diocese of Newark, former member of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, and founder of Integrity. Many of the press are in support of C056 and represent organizations supporting Integrity. There is virtually no one here in the press area from the orthodox side, they are just not here.

Question being asked on C007 - it was on the consent calendar and discharged because the issue has all ready been dealt with, on the understand the action on B033 has been acted on. The chair of World Mission is being called on. The chair says that B025 deals with B033. B033 in other words is dead in the water. Fascinating.

Has anyone noticed how QUIET the Anglican Communion has been as TEC comes to this moment?

C056 Debate begins ...

Here is C056:

Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That the 76th General Convention charge the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music with development of liturgies of blessing for same-gender commitments to be presented to the next triennial General Convention in 2012 for inclusion in "Book of Occasional Services"; and. be it further

Resolved, That in the meantime the Ecclesiastical Authority of each diocese may authorize for use in the diocese liturgies for blessing same-gender committed relationships of enduring love, mutuality, and fidelity; and be it further

Resolved, That, with respect to such blessings, no bishop or clergy of this Church or any other person acting on behalf of this Church shall be required or expected to perform an act contrary to a deeply-held position of conscience.

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and for an open process for the consideration of theological and liturgical resources and liturgies for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological and liturgical resources, and design liturgies and report to the 77th General Convention; for further action; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention continue to honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in this effort.

Debate will begin shortly. Rules are being reviewed now - there is a resolution on how the debate will be conducted and that is being reviewed now.

Deputies are lining up at the microphones preparing for the debate. The chair is now reading the introduction from the committee and it's recommendation to concur. Chair is speaking first, defending this resolution, giving its history and his confidence in it. A gentle and modest way forward, is how the chair describes this resolution.

Central Florida: Questioning the constitutionality of this resolution and that it's out of order, to conform to the doctrine of the Episcopal Church, conform to the laws of this church on solemnization of holy matrimony as being between a man and a woman - asks for ruling from the chair. Chancellor goes to the mic. Chancellor says there is nothing in the canons to change the rubrics of marriage or the Book of Common Prayer.

Question on liturgical resources vs liturgies - a wide variety of resources, not just rites, from around the church (so rites are not excluded).

Ian Douglas - ACNA will attempt to marginalize us and franchise them as genuine, but he believes they are being faithful to the spirit and not being unfaithful to God and the Anglican Communion and calls for reconciliation (the hypocrisy is just incredible). Because then the next speaker says this is about blessings and rites for gay couples.

Move to a Vote by Orders from Albany and Central Florida.

Deputy says that they will be undoing every shed of work done over the past three years, rejecting Windsor, on this day my church is covering itself in shame and I am profoundly sorry, he says.

Next Deputy is in favor, a student. "Now it's time to walk to walk," he says for all Episcopalians to support this resolution.

Connecticut - speaks against the resolution, particularly the 4th resolve, since unspecified rites can be authorized and is an invitation for disaster. We don't all agree that the spirit is calling for a new definition of marriage. The way to do this is by changing the canons.

Alaska supports resolution.

Albany opposes resolution.

They are going back and forth between those who support the resolution and those who do not. Albany is speaking on "generous pastoral response" which is a euphemism for same sex blessing, we all understand what this means. This breaks B033 completely.

Those with green cards support the resolution and those with red cards oppose the resolution.

The laity in the pews are voting and they are voting with their feet, says one deputy opposing the resolution.

15 minutes has passed.

Christopher Wells - C056 sets up possibility for use of liturgies, this flies in the face of the letter and spirit of the Windsor Report fourth moratorium as does the generous pastoral response and urges defeat for the visible unity of our communion.

Western Michigan - in favor.

Next deputy opposes - saying the church has lost its focus on Jesus Christ and scripture, instead to focus on our way and avoiding compliance with Windsor.

Next deputy - is a monk who supports the resolution in a changing world.

Springfield - Remember the Ubuntu of the larger communion, Archbishop of Canterbury was distressed with B025, the nail will be in the coffin for B033 and any semblance of compliance with Windsor. It's not just the economy that caused the budget cut, he stands to lose half or more of his congregations.

Wyoming - supports it - need to move forward that all the sacraments are available for all the people (does this mean marriage as a sacrament like the Roman Catholics believe? Baptism and Eucharist are available to all - not sure what that means).

If a deputy speaks too long, they just hack off the mic.

Next deputy - Ubuntu is an empty phrase. This resolution will alienate people across the globe.

Central Florida - speaks against C056 and reads statement from a member of the youth presence who urges the deputies to vote no.

Southern Ohio - There is a need for a pastoral response to same sex unions. Develop liturgies for these unions.

Springfield - urges rejection. Put off pride and vote no.

5 minutes left for debate.

Northern California - support C056 as it was overwhelming passed by the bishops. When same sex unions were legalize in California his phone rang off the hook, with people asking for their marriages to be blessed. Because of the Episcopal Church's support for the California legislation, this is a pastoral and mission response, the deputy says.

Central Florida - this resolution says that it recognizes the change circumstances in the U.S. The resolution is lacking in calling for a faithful response to the biblical teaching and the teachings with the holy catholic apostolic church - if we pass this resolution we go on record that our doctrine of marriage is being changed, the deputy says.

Colorado - supports it as a gay partnered man urges deputies to move on.

Dallas - against the resolution, the truth of the matter is marriage is between a man and a woman, the truth of the matter is that if you even if you think you can fly, if you step off the roof of this building you will fall. It doesn't change the fact that it's still not right, and it's not the truth, and goes against God's word.

Last word - Deputy stands in favor and urges support and it's time to move and with that, debate ends.

The deputies are being asked to leave their mics and they do and voting preparations are now underway.

Voting Part One: (coming soon)



Voting Part Two: (coming soon)



Here is a statement from the deputation of the Diocese of South Carolina:

Madam President:

South Carolina stands before you with broken hearts. By passing Resolution D025 and C056 this General Convention has overturned the clear and consistent teaching of Holy Scripture and the Christian Church. We will have repudiated the teaching and practice of the Anglican Communion. The Communion's patience and generosity toward the Episcopal Church makes our persistent refusal to heed their requests to us to honor the called for moratoria all the more devastating.

Many of us us here this morning, and in Dioceses, parishes, and pews throughout the Episcopal Church, disavow this General Convention's actions. Will will now prayerfully seek ways to be faithful to the Anglican Communion and to the mutual responsibility and interdependence to which we are called, no matter what the cost.

The President of the House of Deputies chose not to call on South Carolina and the statement was not read to the floor before the vote, even though the President of the House of Deputies has now called on someone who wants to give the Secretary shoes.

People are way too giddy in here, full of frivolity. Does this house even have a clue of what they have just done?



We are now awaiting the results of the vote by orders for C056.

Well, they are now closing up shop for the Eucharist and lunch - so the announcement will probably not come until after 2:00 p.m. PDT.

Live Blogging Thursday Evening Press Conference

For the record, I want to make it clear that I'm taking Real Sudafed, just for the record. Announcements are now underway. Press Conference will follow close of General Convention tomorrow.

Bishops from San Diego and Oklahoma are two of the briefer, as well as beputies from Central Florida, Minnesota, and Puerto Rico.

Bishops focused on voting rights of retired bishops and it was no concurred - the retired bishops continue to be able to vote in the House of Bishops. House of Deputies had voted to rescind their voting rights, but the House of Bishops did not concur.

The Bishops has also been listening to the sorrow over the ramifications of the budget which was passed today and will mean many loss of jobs. Rumors have been rampant here that staff are all ready being told they will be laid off, but the final deeds will not be done until General Convention concludes. There does seem to be sorrow in the hallways - but no connection between the crisis at hand the budget crisis.

Bishops also discussed the Anglican Communion and want the Anglican Communion to take part in the Episcopal processes. I wonder if TEC will target particular provinces to take part in the Episcopal processes toward same sex blessings and marriages and non-celibate gay ordinations and consecrations.

Episcopal General Convention at BabyBlueOnline

Build your own custom video playlist at embedr.com

BREAKING NEWS: Orthodox Bishops read "Anaheim Statement" on Honesty and Clarity to the Episcopal House of Bishops

We've been handed a copy of a minority statement, entitled "Anaheim Statement, General Convention 2009" that comes from a number of orthodox Episcopal bishops. The signers have not yet been made public, though it has been confirmed that it was read in the House of Bishops today.

It reads:

At this convention, the House of Bishops has heard repeated calls for honesty and clarity. As the conversation has proceeded within the HOB, repeated attempts to modify wording which would have been preferable to the minority in the vote were respectfully heard and discussed, but in the end most of these amendments were found unacceptable to the majority in the House. Many in the majority believed the amendments would make the stated position of this House less honest about where they believe we are as The Episcopal Church.

It is apparent that a substantial majority of this Convention believes that The Episcopal Church should move forward on matters of human sexuality. We recognize this reality and understand the clarity with which the majority has expressed itself. We are grateful for those who have reached out to the minority, affirming our place in the Church.

ADDED: We seek to provide the same honesty and clarity. We invite all bishops who share the following commitments to join us in this statement as we seek to find a place in the Church we continue to serve.

• We reaffirm our constituent membership in the Anglican Communion, our communion with the See of Canterbury and our commitment to preserving these relationships.
• We reaffirm our commitment to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this church has received them (BCP 526, 538)
• We reaffirm our commitment to the three moratoria requested of us by the instruments of Communion.
  
• We reaffirm our commitment to the Anglican Communion Covenant process currently underway, with the hope of working toward its implementation across the Communion once a Covenant is completed.
• We reaffirm our commitment to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship" which is foundational to our baptismal covenant, and to be one with the apostles in "interpreting the Gospel" which is essential to our work as bishops of the Church of God.

David Virtue has put up a slightly different version of the statement here (it's apparently missing the last sentence of the first paragraph) and is printed in a different order than the original we received, but he also reports that this statement was read to the House of Bishops by Bishop Gary Lillibridge of West Texas. In addition, he also reports that "At this time 16 bishops have signed the minority report." (UPDATE: Up to 26 bishops may have now signed the Anaheim Statement.)

It appears that this is a group aligned with the "Communion Partners," a group of bishops and rectors who support the Windsor Report, the Dar es Salaam Communique, and the Anglican Covenant, and have chosen prior to this General Convention to work within the Episcopal Church structures and consider themselves directly in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury. They also released an influential legal opinion on how the current Presiding Bishops has overstepped her authority - that report may be read here.

House of Deputies debate opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act

The debate is underway to authorize The Episcopal Church's official opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act of the United States.

Wiki reports that:

Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419. Its provisions are codified at 1 U.S.C. § 7 and 28 U.S.C. § 1738C. The law has two effects:

1. No state (or other political subdivision within the United States) needs to treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state.
2. The federal government defines marriage as a legal union exclusively between one man and one woman.

C023 reads:

Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That this 76th General Convention reject the belief that the existence of marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership between same-sex individuals has a detrimental effect on opposite-sex marriage; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention call on Congress to repeal the so-called "Defense of Marriage" statute passed on September 21, 1996 [Public Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419, codified at 1 U.S.C. § 7 and 28 U.S.C. § 1738C]; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention call on all Episcopalians to work against the passage of so-called "Defense of Marriage" state statutes and state constitutional amendments, and, in states where such statutes or constitutional amendments already exist, to work for their repeal.

One deputy just said the church should promote freedom of conscience and not tell all Episcopalians to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act. Those who are in favor of this resolution are continuing to say this is an issue of civil rights. Rowan Williams last summer said that this issue is not about civil rights.

Another deputy reminded the House that in the Righter Trial sexuality was doctrinal but not a matter of doctrine.

The previous question has been called.

Debate is terminated. C023 Vote by Orders.

They are now voting - first all the laity and then all the clergy.

The are now reading the results.
109 votes
109 votes

55 majority lay order
56 majority in clerical order

Lay Order: 70 yes, 29 no votes, 10 divided (counted as no)
carries by 69%
Clerical Order: 59 yes, 35 no, 15 divided (counted as no)
carries by 54%

There has been a request to reconsider

All Episcopalians are now called to speak out against the Defense of Marriage, which has the Episciopal Church official telling those who are politically or socially conservative or even Republican Episcopalians to act against the conscience.

The call to reconsider is on hold until the vote is confirmed.

Update on votes:

109 lay
109 clerical

55 needed majority in lay
55 needed majority in clerical

Lay 70 yes, 28 no, 11 divided (no)
54% passes
Clerical 60 yes, 35 no, 14 divided (no)
55% passes

Carries - will reconsider tomorrow.

The reconsider motion has now been withdrawn.

Southwest Florida was incorrectly stated second time, correct the first time.

So that's it.

Anglican TV General Convention Report

Bumped up - must watch. With Kevin Kallsen and George Conger in Anaheim, CA.

The Telegraph: Actions of The Episcopal Church bring schism to the Anglican Communion - Rowan Williams must act

From The Telegraph:

So the Anglican Communion has finally split. Having written countless times that the Church was “teetering on the brink of schism last night”, I can now say that the American Church has gone over the edge. No more hanging around, it’s jumped.

When I saw Rowan Williams on Saturday, he said that he was hopeful that they would continue to hold the line agreed by the Communion that practising homosexuals should not be consecrated as bishops. He had been out to the General Convention, which is being held in Anaheim, California, and had come back reasonably optimistic.

In deciding to ignore the pleas for this policy to be upheld, the Americans have clearly shaken him warmly by the hand before stabbing him in the front. They have delivered a fatal blow to his hopes for unity and now there can be no more fudging the issue.

The Archbishop must act, and act decisively, but he will be well aware that the Americans have essentially thrown down a challenge to him and the rest of the Communion.

“Are you with us or against us?” That’s their call to the Archbishop and liberals in the west, who sympathise with their campaign to secure equal rights for practising gays in the Anglican Church. They don’t believe that the African churches and evangelicals will ever change their stance on the issue and are fed up with being out of step with the culture around them.

They want other churches, including the Church of England, to come clean about the fact that they are just as liberal in their support of gays, but are just not as open about it.

The decision by the Americans to go their own way won’t just cut them off from the rest of the Anglican Communion, but could split the whole Church as it draws a line in the sand, demanding churches declare where they stand. It means Rowan Williams also must decide where he stands.

He has tried valiantly to put his personal beliefs to one side for the sake of unity. He has expressed sympathy with the traditional position held by those who believe that the Bible is clear that sex only belongs in marriage. He has asked for time in seeking to find a way forward out of this intractable problem.

Now the line has been drawn, he has no option but to act. The Anglican Communion will be looking to see how he responds.

Read it all here.

Washington Times: Episcopal Bishops approve same-sex blessings

From here:

ANAHEIM, Calif. | U.S. Episcopal Church bishops authorized the church to draft a proposed blessing for same-sex couples Wednesday here at the Episcopal General Convention, although the measure still needs approval of the priest and lay delegates.

On Tuesday, the church decided to permit gay bishops, which passed 99-45 among the bishops and by a 72 percent to 28 percent margin among the church's deputies.

When the gay-blessings resolution was brought to the House of Bishops for consideration Tuesday, only supporters of the bill rose to speak. Gay blessings were raised during the 2003 General Convention, Bishop John B. Chane of Washington said, and then "the time was not right" to proceed.

However, "now is the time to proceed with these rites," Bishop Chane said.

Earlier in the day, there had been signs of a pushback developing against the blessings. Bishop Dean Wolfe of Kansas cautioned the House against offering aggressive amendments.

"Sometimes it takes very little" to "move us from agreement to division," he observed. He asked the bishops to practice a "generous orthodoxy" to the denomination's conservatives, who oppose same-sex blessings.

After 25 minutes of debate, with only one conservative rising to speak in opposition, Bishop Clifton Daniel of East Carolina told the House he was uneasy. The "silence is ominous," he observed, adding "I need your voice to inform my conversation."

Bishop Peter Beckwith of Springfield, Ill., answered the challenge, saying: "Why waste time? Why waste my time. Why waste your time?" with these debates.

"I believe this is another clear instance of the church being shaped by the secular culture rather than the secular culture being shaped by the church," he said.

In a closed session, an ad hoc committee of bishops was asked to study the resolution to find ways to keep the Episcopal Church within the bounds of the Anglican Communion while also providing a go-ahead for same-sex blessings.

Conservative South Carolina Bishop Mark Lawrence told The Washington Times that finding an accommodation would not work.

"I'm not interested in tweaking this," he said. "It's not the train that's the problem, it's the direction it's going."

Fears of a schism within the U.S. church prompted the deal, Bishop William Love of Albany, N.Y., told The Times. He also declined to say whether conservatives would walk out.

Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, the church's first gay bishop, was confident the resolution would pass.

Bishop Marc Andrus of California said his diocese "will keep its focus on pastoral care and marriage equality."

Read it all here.

LA Times: Episcopal bishops back blessings of same-sex unions

From here:

Progressives in the Episcopal Church were on the verge of claiming another victory Wednesday as leaders endorsed the creation of blessing liturgies for same-sex unions one day after they ended a de facto ban on the ordination of gay bishops.

The action by bishops at the church's General Convention in Anaheim left conservatives with little to celebrate. They said the twin measures would further divide the 2.1-million member denomination and strain an already fragile relationship with the global Anglican Communion.

But those who championed the measure -- hammered out during hours of private meetings and public debate -- said they believed the Episcopal tent was large enough to accommodate those who disagree. They pointed to language in the measure that invites "theological reflection" from throughout the wider communion. The Episcopal Church is the U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion.

"I hope it will help us to be more honest, more compassionate, more sympathetic toward one another," said Bishop Stephen Lane of Maine, who was part of a small group of bishops involved in crafting the compromise. "We have a breadth of opinion [in the church] and no one is compelled to go against their conscience."

The resolution passed by an overwhelming margin, with 104 bishops voting yes, 30 voting no and two abstaining after a failed attempt by some bishops to kill the measure. The resolution must still be approved by clergy and laity in the church's other legislative body, the House of Deputies -- a step widely viewed as all but certain. The convention ends Friday.

Read it all here.

BREAKING NEWS: Episcopal House of BIshops endorses the development of liturgies for same sex unions and marriages

Vote on C056
104 - yes
30 - no
2 - abstentions

Here is the video of the final vote on C056 (it should be online shortly):



Here is the final text that the House of Bishops voted on:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and for an open process for the consideration of theological and liturgical resources and liturgies for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consulation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological, and liturgical resources and design liturgies and report to the 77th General Convention; for further action; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consulation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention continue to honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of this Church be encouraged to engage in this effort.

Live Blogging House of Bishops debate on C056

Bishop Whalon and Bishop Ely and twenty six bishops attended a meeting last night 9-11 and 7-9 a.m. for Indaba conversations. Those bishops all stand. I didn't see John Howe stand. This is not a committee or a committee report "but rather a renewed framework of our discussion" and are offering a C056 substitution, but they really aren't a committee (then what are they?).

Bishop David Jones stands and reads a substitute being put together by the Indaba Group which is not a committee and is not official and didn't check with anyone. They just met together just like it was official, just like they were a committee and no one seems surprised. Now they are handing out the substitute resolution for C056 from the committee that is not a committee.

Here it is:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge the changing circumstances in the United States and in other nations, as legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions or domestic partnerships for gay and lesbian persons is passed in various civil jurisdictions that call forth a renewed pastoral response from this Church, and for an open process for the collection of theological resources and liturgies for the blessing of same gender relationships; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, in consultation with the House of Bishops, collect and develop theological and design liturgies, and report to the 77th General Convention for further action; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music in consultation with the House of Bishops, devise an open process for the conduct of its work inviting participation from provinces, dioceses, congregations, and individuals who are engaged in such theological work, and inviting theological reflection from throughout the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That bishops, particularly those in dioceses within civil jurisdictions where same-gender marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships are legal, may provide generous pastoral response to meet the needs of members of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention continue to honor the theological diversity of this Church in regard to matters of human sexuality; and be further

Resolved, that the members of this church be encouraged to engage in this effort.

This is still and landmark resolution calling for the development of liturgies and authorizing same sex blessings as "generous pastoral responses" which is coded language for same sex blessings and marriages. With the development of rites, those rites can be used in trial as a way of testing them and once the door opens it will never, never close. As we've seen in the past, once this becomes the authorized statement of the church, dioceses that do not comply will be singled out as were the traditionalist dioceses who did not ordain women and saw the creation of tribunals at General Convention 2000 to investigate why those dioceses were not yet ordaining women.

This resolution also is a repudiation of Lambeth 1.10 which is the teaching of the Anglican Communion as well as the Anglican Covenant which seeks to unify the Anglican Communion not break it apart as this proposed substitute to C056 does.

It does not spell out - as it does when it calls for The Episcopal Church to "collect and develop theological and design liturgies" as well as to "provide generous pastoral response" for same sex blessings and marriages" what it means by a call to "continue to honor the theological diversity" of the Episcopal Church. Does this include electing Buddhist Bishops as well?

Some of the tables in the House of Bishops are laughing - wonder what's so funny?

5:19 p.m. 5:19: Amendment to the Amendment of a change to "to the 77th General Convention for further action" has now been passed to read "to the 77th General Convention."

A new amendment has been proposed to restore language from C056 "no bishop or other member of the clergy shall be compelled to authorize or officiate at such liturgies," into the second to second to last resolve.

Now voting - overwhelming voted no.

Holingsworth Ohio - offers an amendment to strike "and design liturgies" and insert "and liturgical" after theological so that it would read collect and develop theological and liturgical resources" - as a way to get around from using the word "rites" - but that disingenuous because that's what this is, these are rites, for heaven's sake. No one is fooled.

Robinson NH - speaks against the amendment. Speaks again of missing Lambeth and talks about taking part in the Indaba group last night. He's saying there's a difference between "developing liturgies" and "designing liturgies" and so he says to vote against the amendment.

Another bishop rises in favor and says it has a comprehensive stance for the broad middle of the church.

Another amendment to the amendment - delete "and develop" and instead "collect theological and liturgical resources."

Central Pennsylvania stands in favor of the amendment to the amendment - making it clear that we're not asking for formal work of design but it does allow for the dioceses and congregations to continue to develop resources that can be shared with the commission.

Alexander Atlanta - against the amendment.

Charleston California - opposes amendment. The House is learning to breathe again, he says. He says they lived in such a long time there has been no breathing because the House was so "doctrinaire" (code word for the orthodox element) - he says he opposes the amendment and prefers the one that says developing rather than a static collection of material.

Gregg North Carolina - also opposes amendment. Wants to give a sense of movement - frame the content.

It seems very clear that this House intends to establish rites for same sex marriages - make no mistake about it.

Irish Utah - proposes that the reporting comes to the House of Bishops - needs to wait, says the PB.

Beckwith Newark - calls the question.

collect theological and liturgical resources and report to the 77th General Convention.

Taking a hand count.

The amendment fails.

Collect and develop theological and liturgical resources ... - amendment - question called.

The amendment carries.

The amendment now is to change the reporting from General Convention to the House of Bishops.

Whalen says that it there is a process and stands against the amendment.

Chane Washington speaks against the amendment - and proposes and amendment to the amendment - but that's actually what the text actually says, so it's withdrawn.

Two bishops rise in opposition to the amendment to send it just to the House of Bishops, the last one because of the culture of secrecy and let the deputies also have a position in this debate.

Texas - moves previous question.

Voting on where the reporting will go - House of Bishops or General Convention.

No one said aye. So it's still General Convention.

Thu - we used to call him "Shorts" former bishop NH - talks about honor -- next to last resolve, Whalen says that the form that "honors" is not in order. That this Convention honor -

John Howe - proposed amendment on line 24 and remove final resolve.

A bishop rises against it saying that members are now encouraged.

Voting.

Hands raised.

Call for a count.

I think that by leaving the final resolve in there is an assumption that all the dioceses must take part in this effort - that General Convention encourages all dioceses to take part.

56 yes
57 no

The amendment fails.

Wow.

A call for discharge of the resolution - he believes it do

Sean Rowe is saying that this is calling us to do what we've been called not to do. Something is emerging and let's allow it to emerge not legislate. "How is working for us?" It doesn't work - it doesn't work. It simply doesn't work - it will further divide us.

Smith Arizona - Fully support the intent of the resolution, fully support same sex blessings - but yesterday he was moved by Rowe and by Jenkins - to find a way forward that is not legislative. Wants to think outside the box. Was disappointed to find themselves back in the box to have an amendment after amendment after amendment. Supports this move to discharge. Suggests a pastoral letter.

Gene Robinson - doesn't believe that the legislative process should not be demonized. This is a legislative body. If there might be a better way of working, we have canons and constitution to change it to something else, but now it's legislative. How this legislation affects our body is how we interpret. If we are using our leadership as bishops, he says, doesn't have to be demonic but helpful in respecting the needs of so many.

Chane - meeting in group yesterday and spent a great deal of time working on a piece of legislation and this is legislative body. For me, to discharge this, dishonors us and dishonors the great deal of work done.

Lane Maine - He believes that the bishops are an important voice in the church, but not the only voice. It needs to be considered by the whole church and needs to be shared with the rest of the church and needs the opportunity to respond. To discharge would be to deprive the others of the opportunity to share their voice.

Debate continues.

Shaw Massachusetts - Speaks against discharging. He believes this resolution represents significant discernment.

Alexander of Atlanta - Against discharge.

Fitzpatrick Hawaii - speaks in favor of discharge. The legislative process can be a way in which the church moves, but sometimes it's better to be silent, that we have generous pastoral action in this house for and with one another, it would allow movement and also allow the conversation to continue, sometimes it's time not to act.

Burrnet of Alaska - also against discharge. A self select group did a lot of work and discernment and gave a framework for discernment.

Doyle Texas - Favor of discharge - Discharge is a legislative act, it asks us to do something different, to act in a different way, as is a the substitute resolution. Like Sean he thinks that the House of Bishops need to be proactive and not just in passing legislation. Doing something different.

Call the question.

Voting by roll call.

42 yes
94 no
1 absention

Amendment changing "collection" to "consideration" in line six so it reads, "and for an open process for the consideration of theological resource and liturgies for the blessings of same gender relationships."

Question called.

Roll Call:

C056
104 - yes
30 - no
2 - abstentions

Episcopal Bishops greatly troubled by actions of General Convention

Bishop Peter Beckwith, Episcopal Diocese of Springfield and Bishop Bill Love, Episcopal Diocese of Albany share their thoughts after the ratification of D025:

Latino Pravda?

Jeff Walton has the scoop here:

EpiscopalLife, the official publication of the Episcopal Church, has attempted to highlight an increasing Hispanic presence at General Convention. They’ve published a supplement to the Convention’s Daily, Perspectivas Latinas, printed in both Spanish and English. Today’s headline? “Latinos entienden D025 como una cuestion de justicia,” or, “Latinos understand D025 as a justice issue.”

“In regards to Resolution D025, most Latinos/Hispanics rejoice in its passage, and most of us might agree with our international guests from throughout the Anglican Communion, who were impressed with the respectful debate that was had around D025,” Perspectivas Latinas opined.

Nice words about the contentious subject of removing the effective moratorium on practicing homosexual clergy.

One problem: Most of the Hispanics in the House of Bishops didn’t “rejoice in its passage.” The Episcopal Church has a strong contingent in Central and South America, including dioceses in Honduras, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, as well as Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Of these overseas dioceses, all except Ecuador Central and Puerto Rico voted against D025 (Litoral Ecuador voted against). During House of Bishops debate on D025, Bishop Geralyn Wolf explained that the resolution was reported out of committee with a recommendation to reject partly because overseas dioceses were not in a place to endorse gay bishops.

Interestingly, for an article about a resolution on gay bishops, the article fails to use the word “gay” once. Quotes about “justice,” “respectful debate,” and “being human,” frame a photo of New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson marching with a Latina hotel worker during a labor protest from earlier in the week. Way to be fair, EpiscopalLife.

Read it all here. The original article from The Daily is here, page 9. Do note the photo attached to the article as well.

Wednesday at the Cafe