January 31, 2014

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. - Psalm 46: 1-3
 
Bishop David Anderson
Broadside from Canterbury and York
By the Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson
President & Chairmen, American Anglica Council


The English Archbishops of York and Canterbury have fired the equivalent of a broadside into the respective Anglican Provinces of Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria, and naturally it has to do with the Western hot button issue of homosexuality. While this subject seems to be causing the implosion of Anglican Provinces in America, Canada, England, Wales, and Scotland, the English Archbishops, rather than stand their Biblical ground against unnatural acts between individuals, choose rather to lecture and caution the three largest Anglican Provinces on the laws their civil governments are enacting.

When the head, nominal though he be, of the Anglican Communion lectures and cautions any Province, the implications and threat cannot be missed. It is odd that this lecture and caution would be directed toward the orthodox Anglicans of the Communion and not against the heterodox Anglicans both in North America and indeed within the Church of England itself. It seems that the Pilling Report may define the path that the Church of England will actually take. The Anglican Communion will soon have to face the prospect of a Mother Church which is spiritually unable to lead the worldwide flock of Anglicans. Interestingly, both the Archbishop of Kenya and now Uganda have responded to this English broadside and, commendably, they understand exactly the kind of spiritual bullying that is being directed toward them...Read more. 
Angilcan Perspective: Motivations
 
In this week's Anglican Perspective, Canon Ashey discusses the motives behind the push for same-sex blessings and other innovations within the wider Anglican Communion.
 
Anglican Perspective: Motivations
Anglican Perspective: Motivations
 
The Word Unspoken Serves You; The Word Once Spoken You Serve
By the Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson

Over the last few decades individuals and groups that believe in the Biblical model for marriage have used the democratic process to pass legislation clarifying that marriage consists of one man and one woman. As the lesbian and gay juggernaut continues to roll over everyone else's rights, I wonder if the rights of not only Anglicans, but eventually everyone, including gays and lesbians, will fall to the wayside. The current idea being promoted by activists is that individuals have the inherent and god-blessed right to do unnatural acts with one another and also to have those relationships and acts raised to the same lawful estate as Holy Matrimony for heterosexual couples, not only by the state but the church as well.

In the activist's pursuit of this agenda, any means that advances the cause, whether fair or foul, seems to be acceptable. If legislation works, then use legislation. But more often, it appears that the court system is shopped until an available, sympathetic judge can be found. For example, one appeals court judge in the western United States ruled on a petition where homosexuality was an important contributing factor without divulging that he was a closeted homosexual with a partner and without recusing himself. He ruled in the favor of the pro-homosexual parties. Then he retired, and then he came out of the closet. After that he unfortunately fell ill and passed away, but the damage had been done...Read more.
 
 
Church of England Statement from the College of Bishops
Church of England
January 27, 2014

The College of Bishops met on 27th January, 2014 to begin a process of reflection on the issues raised by the Pilling Report (GS 1929). The College expressed appreciation to Sir Joseph Pilling and to all members of the working party for the work they have done on behalf of the Church.

We are united in welcoming and affirming the presence and ministry within the Church of gay and lesbian people, both lay and ordained. We are united in acknowledging the need for the Church to repent for the homophobic attitudes it has sometimes failed to rebuke and affirming the need to stand firmly against homophobia wherever and whenever it is to be found...Read More. 
Archbishop Wabukala

GAFCON Chairman's Message on Pilling Report

GAFCON
January 29, 2014

To the Faithful of the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans and friends, from Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Primate of Kenya and Chairman of the GAFCON Primates' Council

'...by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God' 2 Corinthians 4:2

My dear brothers and sisters,

Greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

I write this first message of 2014 with great hope and confidence for the year ahead. GAFCON 2013 renewed our vision for the Anglican Communion as a global fellowship faithful to the Scriptures and confirmed what many of us had already sensed, that our movement is emerging as the only real answer to the Communion's problems of fragmentation and confusion.

In the year ahead we must resolve to devote ourselves to the great biblical mandate to make disciples of all nations which was the focus of our gathering in Nairobi. There is urgency about the gospel and it must be proclaimed in word and deed, in season and out of season and it is the same gospel, whether in strife torn nations such as South Sudan or in the affluent but morally disorientated nations of the developed world.

We cannot therefore allow our time and energy to be sapped by debating that which God has already clearly revealed in the Scriptures. Earlier this week, the English College of Bishops met to reflect upon the 'Pilling Report', commissioned to reflect on how the Church of England should respond to the question of same sex relationships. Its key recommendations were that informal blessings of such unions should be allowed in parish churches and that a two year process of 'facilitated conversation' should be set up to address strongly held differences within the Church on this issue...Read more.
 


Church of England: Archbishops criticise Nigerian and Ugandan anti-gay laws
BBC
Jaunary 30, 2014

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have written to the presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, after being asked about laws there penalising gay people.

The letter said homosexual people were loved and valued by God and should not be victimised or diminished.

Nigeria and Uganda have both passed legislation targeting people with same-sex attraction.

The letter is also addressed to all primates (heads of national Churches) in the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Archbishops Justin Welby of Canterbury and John Sentamu of York said the letter was a result of "questions about the Church of England's attitude to new legislation in several countries that penalises people with same-sex attraction".

The letter comes as Archbishop Welby starts a five-day tour of four African countries. . . Read more.  
GAFCON Response to the Statement of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York
GAFCON
January 28, 2014

This week, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York sought to remind the leadership of the Anglican Communion and the Presidents of Nigeria and Uganda of the importance of friendship and care for homosexual people.

Christians should always show particular care for those who are vulnerable, but this cannot be separated from the whole fabric of biblical moral teaching in which the nature of marriage and family occupy a central place.

The Dromantine Communiqué from which the Archbishops quote also affirmed (Clause 17) the 1998 Lambeth Conference Resolution 1.10 which states that 'homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture' and that the conference 'cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions'...Read more.
Ntagali

Archbishop Stanley Ntagali Comments on Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill, the Church of England's "Pilling Report," and the Open Letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York

Church of Uganda
January 30, 2014

The Church of Uganda is encouraged by the work of Uganda's Parliament in amending the Anti-Homosexuality Bill to remove the death penalty, to reduce sentencing guidelines through a principle of proportionality, and to remove the clause on reporting homosexual behaviour, as we had recommended in our 2010 position statement on the Bill. This frees our clergy and church leaders to fulfill the 2008 resolution of our House of Bishops to "offer counseling, healing and prayer for people with homosexual disorientation, especially in our schools and other institutions of learning. The Church is a safe place for individuals, who are confused about their sexuality or struggling with sexual brokenness, to seek help and healing."

Accordingly, we are grateful for the reminder of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to fulfill such commitments as stated in the 2005 Communique of the Primates Meeting held in Dromantine, Northern Ireland...Read more.
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