Anyone see where the horse went?

I am writing from the latest meeting of the Special Committee. They are discussing the moratorium on electing bishops who are living in sexual relationships outside of marriage. A160 and A163 are coming up befor0e the House of Deputies today. A160 is the resolution on regret and A163 is the resolution on “DEPO” (i.e., allowing other bishops to oversee congregations in hostile dioceses).

We’re so sorry, Uncle Albert

It is becoming clear to me that we have massive compartmentalizing going on here. For example, A160 alone sounds pretty good – except that it has no “action clause.” We can be sorry all we want, but unless we have some action attached to our apology, it means nothing. In fact, it could be even worse than what ECUSA did in 2003 – by setting the church up to apologize and then just return to business as usual, that will cause even deeper harm then if ECUSA did not apologize.

Has anyone seen where the horse went?

A163 also seems – at first glance – non-controversial, but again – by compartmentalizing DEPO away from any “action resolutions” we do not know if DEPO is necessary and if it is necessary, what context will it be employed. We don’t know the answer to that yet since no “action resolutions” have been passed by this General Convention. In fact, what ECUSA is doing here is putting the old cart before the horse – and we don’t even know where the horse is!

Ian Douglas Quote of the Day – Calls the orthodox the “Forces of Division.” Have the black helicopters arrived yet?

Interesting comment about the nature of resolutions – that they in fact lack the ability to be enforced. They are not laws – canons are laws – but only recommendations. So even if all the resolutions are passed, they lack the power of enforcement. However, they do have an implied moral authority – especially if they are passed by all of General Convention and to break them would be to contradict the moral authority imposed by the resolutions.

Another observation is that when the “Listening Process” is discussed, it is not about listening to the orthodox, but only those who claim to be “led by the spirit” into “this new thing” that “God is doing” amongst gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and there was another one mention yesterday that begins with an “I” (when does the list finally end?). But the “listening process” is decisively one way, and that’s rather alarming. It implies that one side is light and lovely and the other side is dark and imposing. The implication is there and that is troubling.

The Special Committee ended by substituting new language for the old language of the resolution, along with several new amendments and more pending when they meet again today. What I can say right now is that the moratorium and the spirit of Lambeth 1.10 are fading fast into the sunset. The resolution is turning into another apology - but not to the Anglican Communion nor to those who were hurt by the betrayal of trust by our leadership by abandoning the biblical foundations of our faith at General Convention 2003.

At the foot of the cross,
bb

You can see the language at Stand Firm at: http://www.standfirminfaith.com/index.php/site/index