Gay and Christian in the World of Today II

[Cally]

Church Guidelines to Give OK for Gay Bishops; But Only if Celibate
The Church of England is set to publish guidelines Monday, advising that gay clergy involved in civil partnerships should be entitled to become bishops on the proviso that they remain celibate.

It is rumored that the document will tell Church leaders it is wrong to discriminate against gay clergy when appointing bishops, as long as a declaration is made that they are not in an active sexual relationship.

The guidelines will be sent to members of the Church's governing body, the Synod, in advance of its meeting in York next month.

Bishops so far have failed to reach an agreement on precisely what stance the Church should take to comply with new British equality legislation.

According to The Sunday Telegraph newspaper in England, the guidelines will say the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC), the body which recommends the appointment of bishops by the prime minister can not bar gays from becoming enthroned as bishops.

The spiritual head of the Church of England, Dr Rowan Williams, who has been heavily criticized for an unclear stance on gay clergy, has previously indicated that he had “no problem” with gay bishops as long as they were celibate.

Progress in the right direction, at least - though some way to go.

[ingmarnicebbmt]

   In reality, it is only the erect penis that is taboo.  
  It is in this state that this marvelous organ, that when swollen firm with a man's lifeblood, is ready to ejaculate his seed milk that carries his miraculous genetic essence; the 'milk' that in concert with a woman's equally miraculous ovum perpetuates human life, that carries the stigma of Sin.
  The taboo against exposed male genitalia, even while the penis is in a flaccid state, can be traced to the incident of Noah's nakedness in Genesis.
Even further back, Moses (?) has Adam and Eve fashioning figleaf loincloths to cover their genitals, because after eating of the 'forbidden fruit', 'they realized they were naked'....(??)
 

Highly interesting observations! 

I agree with many of them.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Pierce Morgan intereviewed Mitt Romney last night and asked him about his views on homosexuality. He would not articulate his own views or those of his church. He told Morgan to ask the church about its views; Morgan appears not to have known that Romney was a ward bishop in Massachusetts. However, at one point in evading Morgan's questions, he likened homosexuality to adultery.

Seems to me it's perfectly proper to ask a candidate for President his views on this issue, maybe not so much to ask him to be a spokesman for his religion. If his views happen to be those of his religion, well, it's still proper to ask him his views.

[Cally]

Church Guidelines to Give OK for Gay Bishops; But Only if Celibate

I think perhaps I didn't express myself forcefully enough above. I've added this in 'Is society really..':

This is an inadequate, ridiculous step that makes me angry and frustrated, but I don't see it as a step backward.  I think (well, hope at least) that it will used as the basis for the next step - the removal of any mention of celibacy. And that there will be a reaction against the utter illogicality of assuming that any more than a tiny minority of couples, gay or straight, enter into a marriage/partnership with the intention of remaining celibate. In a way it's a pity that Jeffrey John, for whom I have some admiration, did ever state that his partnership was celibate. It has probably reinforced the idea of "straight episcopal married sex good, gay episcopal sex bad."

I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear - I feel very strongly about this, and make my feelings known to people. But I still think it's a step in the right direction.

[Jeff Wrangler]

I think perhaps I didn't express myself forcefully enough above. I've added this in 'Is society really..':

This is an inadequate, ridiculous step that makes me angry and frustrated, but I don't see it as a step backward.  I think (well, hope at least) that it will used as the basis for the next step - the removal of any mention of celibacy. And that there will be a reaction against the utter illogicality of assuming that any more than a tiny minority of couples, gay or straight, enter into a marriage/partnership with the intention of remaining celibate. In a way it's a pity that Jeffrey John, for whom I have some admiration, did ever state that his partnership was celibate. It has probably reinforced the idea of "straight episcopal married sex good, gay episcopal sex bad."

I'm sorry I didn't make myself clear - I feel very strongly about this, and make my feelings known to people. But I still think it's a step in the right direction.

It does seem kind of stupid. Unless, of course, the C of E is prepared to ask married straight clergy to divorce their spouses or agree to live in celibacy with them if they want to become bishops. ... 

Thanks for letting us know about this.

[fritzkep]

It does seem kind of stupid. Unless, of course, the C of E is prepared to ask married straight clergy to divorce their spouses or agree to live in celibacy with them if they want to become bishops. ... 

Thanks for letting us know about this.

Now that would be equible.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Now that would be equible.

Perhaps not even that far-fetched, even though I know it will never happen.

What I mean is, it's my understanding that in Eastern Orthodoxy, parish clergy can be married, but bishops are required to be celibate.

Or maybe that's only in some "national" Orthodox churches? 

[fritzkep]

No, that's universal among all Orthodox as well as Eastern Rite Catholics outside of the US (where Eastern Catholic clergy are not permitted to marry). Both bishops and monks are required to be unmarried. And presumably celibate.

I'm not completely certain whether a married priest whose wife has died may become a bishop or a monk. I'm pretty sure he may join a monastery, but I have heard conflicting messages whether the episcopacy is permanently barred to the previously married or not.

[Jeff Wrangler]

No, that's universal among all Orthodox as well as Eastern Rite Catholics outside of the US (where Eastern Catholic clergy are not permitted to marry). Both bishops and monks are required to be unmarried. And presumably celibate.

I'm not completely certain whether a married priest whose wife has died may become a bishop or a monk. I'm pretty sure he may join a monastery, but I have heard conflicting messages whether the episcopacy is permanently barred to the previously married or not.

Thanks, Fritz. 

[Zadd]

Historic Moment For New York State

By a vote of 33 to 29, New York State has become the sixth State to legalize Gay marriage.

This Sunday commemorates the Stonewall rebellion, the momentous event that sparked the Gay Liberation movement.
As many of you know, the last Sunday in June is when New York City holds its Gay Pride March.
There will be great joy on that day shared by all those in attendance.
Lord willing, I will be there.....!!!

Zadd

[Sandy]

Enjoy the parade, Zad. Great weather, great news!

[Jeff Wrangler]

It does seem kind of stupid. Unless, of course, the C of E is prepared to ask married straight clergy to divorce their spouses or agree to live in celibacy with them if they want to become bishops. ... 

Now that would be equible.

I ran that thought of mine by an openly gay Lutheran pastor, and his response was, "Now, there's an idea that has legs!" 

[fritzkep]

I ran that thought of mine by an openly gay Lutheran pastor, and his response was, "Now, there's an idea that has legs!" 

How many?

[Jeff Wrangler]

Just read on AOL News/Huffpost that 200 Methodist pastors in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church are going to begin blessing same-sex unions in defiance of church law. 

[Zadd]

Enjoy the parade, Zad. Great weather, great news!

  Thanks Sandy, I did....!
    
    The ambient energy was one of great euphoria, an intensity of which I don't ever recall while attending a 'Pride' parade.
 I was also aware of a pervasive, palpable sense of relief, the kind one might experience upon witnessing the release of hostages after a long imprisonment.
   The very air seemed charged with an unusually high level of excitement.

 It was a great day for Gay New Yorkers.  For just a few days before was set another milestone on the road toward equal rights, and the nationwide legitimization of our lives and loves.