Both Episcopal and Presbyterian churches stand firm against bigots...

My beloved Episcopal church has chosen to take a resolute, unwavering stand against bigotry and I'm so incredibly proud I could burst.

"Episcopal church leaders on Tuesday rejected a temporary ban against gay bishops, while Presbyterians agreed to let local and regional governing bodies decide whether to ordain gay or lesbian ministers. The actions by the churches' governing assemblies could cause further rifts in denominations already coping with theological divisions over homosexuality and declining membership....

Leading Anglican officials had asked the U.S. church to approve a temporary ban on gay bishops after V. Gene Robinson, who is gay, was elected bishop of New Hampshire three years ago. His election outraged conservatives, who constitute a minority in the U.S. church but who dominate some congregations overseas. Robinson is the nation's only openly gay Episcopal bishop, though in May, two gay men and a lesbian were among six finalists to become bishop of a Bay Area diocese.

"I was very pleased that they voted it down," said the Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints Church in Pasadena, who was at the meeting."

and for our Presbyterian brothers and sisters...

"The nation's largest Presbyterian group, meeting in Birmingham, Ala., approved the new policy that enables local and regional church bodies to approve the ordination of gays and lesbians on a case-by-case basis.

While leaving intact a church law that requires ministers and lay leaders to practice "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness," representatives of Presbyterian Church USA voted 298-221 to adopt the measure. In effect, the policy creates a loophole that would allow gays and lesbians to serve as ministers, even though the policy does not endorse gay clergy."

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-presbyterian21jun21,1,4750055.story?coll=la-news-a_section

rock!:yourock:

Here in Tallahassee, there has been a congregation that separated from the Episcopal church. We all know which one it is...its name has changed slightly to reflect the fact that it has changed. So, everyone here knows the "hate" congregation. And this can be true all over America as the bigots flock to their own "pure" congregations. The congregations will be known for their hate.

I was so proud of American Episcopalians yesterday, what was I thinking to believe a religious order would do the right thing?

"Episcopalians Reverse Course Approving Last Minute Compromise On Gay Bishops
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

June 21, 2006 - 3:00 pm ET






Click here to find out more!






(Columbus, Ohio) Episcopal delegates approved a last-ditch attempt by their chief pastor Wednesday to salvage worldwide Anglican unity, voting to adopt a resolution that calls on U.S. church leaders to ''exercise restraint'' when considering gay candidates for bishop.

The nonbinding measure stops far short of the moratorium on gay bishops that Anglican leaders demanded to calm conservative outrage over the 2003 consecration of Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who lives with his longtime male partner.

But it may leave open the chance for discussion between leaders of the Episcopal Church and other members of the Anglican Communion, who are badly at odds over gay clergy. Traditionalists hold that the Bible specifically prohibits gay sex.

The legislation passed in the final hours of an anguished nine-day General Convention. It asks Episcopal leaders to ''exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration'' of candidates for bishop ''whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church.''

The House of Deputies, comprised of more than 800 lay people and clergy, voted for the compromise resolution, one day after killing stronger legislation that would have urged dioceses to refrain from choosing bishops in same-gender relationships. (story)

The new vote came after direct pleas from outgoing Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold and Nevada Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, who will become presiding bishop in November, that deputies approve something to signal they understand the anger of Anglican leaders.

''Unless there is a clear perception on the part of our Anglican brothers and sisters that they have been taken seriously in their concerns, it will be impossible to have any genuine conversation,'' Griswold said Wednesday in a special joint session that he called of both houses.

Still, the resolution is not binding and Bishop John Chane of the Diocese of Washington, D.C., said immediately after it passed that he would not follow it.

''My own understanding of my responsibility as a bishop is to live into the integrity of my office,'' Chane said in a statement."

http://365gay.com/Newscon06/06/062106churches.htm

to the conservatives in the church. I seriously doubt they will take and satisfaction from a non-binding resolution asking the church to "exercise restraint".

Still, a disappointment they gave any quarter at all.

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