Epis. Bishops Declare Moratorium on Ordinations(fallout re. gay NH bishop)

[DeepModem Mom]

Los Angeles Times:
Episcopal Bishops Declare Moratorium on Ordinations
Move reflects effort to reduce tension over the ordination of gay bishops in the U.S.

By Larry B. Stammer, Times Staff Writer


The nation's Episcopal bishops declared a one-year moratorium Tuesday on approving new bishops in the United States. They declared that the "extraordinary action" was required to reduce tensions in the worldwide Anglican Communion over ordination of gay bishops.

The 2.4-million-member denomination's House of Bishops declined to impose a similar moratorium on blessings of same-sex unions. The bishops, meeting at a church retreat in Navasota, Texas, said they would leave the decision of whether to allow such blessings to the bishop of each diocese....

***

The unity of the 77-million-member worldwide Anglican Communion has been unraveling since 2003, when the Episcopal church ordained the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson bishop of New Hampshire. Robinson is openly gay and lives with his male partner.

After the ordination, conservative Anglican bishops in Africa, South America and Asia severed or downgraded their ties with the Episcopal Church, the U.S. member of the Anglican Communion.

In their statement, the U.S. bishops apologized "for having breached our bonds of affection by any failure to consult adequately with our Anglican partners" before they and the church's laity and priests approved Robinson's ordination....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-031605bishops_lat,0,912149.story?coll=la-home-nation

[DemoTex]

1. My friend, the Rev. Dr. Mark Anshutz, voted for the ordination of Robinson

Mark was the only member of the Texas Episcopal delegation, lay or clergy, to vote for the ordination of the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson as bishop. Mark is a brilliant scholar and dedicated liberal. We are lucky to have such a man of courage on our side. If you know Mark, you know what I mean.

[xchrom]

2. grrrrr...

is there any, any mainstream organization who in a loud, strong voice says that what it does to advance the place of gays and lesbians in society has done exactly the right thing?

[Moderator]

3. kick to combine

[emad]

4. US Church moves to avoid splits

BBC


The US Anglican Church says it will not appoint new bishops or bless same-sex relationships for at least one year.

In a statement, US Church leaders expressed "deep regret" for the pain caused by the appointment of gay cleric Gene Robinson as bishop in 2003.

They said the "extraordinary action" was being taken to halt the Church's slide towards a formal split over the issue of homosexuality.

The head of the Anglican Church has welcomed the move.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4356989.stm

[pelagius]

5. The ECUSA is suspending ALL ordinations for bishops...

...not just ordinations for gay bishops, as the article states:

In an effort not to single out gay or lesbian candidates for bishop, the statement called for a general moratorium on all elections of bishops.

They have apologized for the seemingly abrupt _manner_ in which they ordained V. Gene Robinson, but have (and will not, I suspect) apologize for ordaining him now or ever.