Pater Unser

[jackofallgeeks]

I fear for the Episcopal Church.

As you have all heard by now (as, in this day of information flooding, it takes effort to not hear), the Episcopal Church has elected (though, as I've heard it, not yet consecrated) their first openly-gay Bishop, and blessed same-sex marriages.

This, alone, is not why I fear for the church. If this were all there was to it, I would be very saddened, indeed, but I wouldn't fear for the church, as such. But as I heard today, this decision is not being taken evenly by the church, and in fact, quite a number of Episcopalians are taking issue with the decision. Additionally, the international Anglican community (of which the Episcopal Church is a part) is also against the choice, as well.

As refreshing as these sentiments may be, I fear for the church, as I would never wish schism or intra-faith discord on anyone. I fear for the church, and keep her and her members in my prayers.

Comments

[starlight1184.livejournal.com]

I know this could set you off for pages, but I'm interested in why an openly gay man being elected to a church office would offend you? You've always said you had no problem with people being gay, your problem has always been with extra-marital sex. I don't know how the Episcopal church works in regards to celibacy... but I'm curious what the reasons for your "being saddened". (I don't mean to set you off... I'm genuinely curious.)

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

-laughs-
If, by set me off, you mean anger me, you need never fear that. I live off of this sort of thing -- if no one ever gave mer pause to THINK about what I say, I likely never would, and that would be a shame and a pity all around.

If, however, you only wanted a short answer and not a long discussion of the topic, the I fear I must apologize, as indeed I did '

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-laughs-
If, by set me off, you mean anger me, you need never fear that. I live off of this sort of thing -- if no one ever gave mer pause to THINK about what I say, I likely never would, and that would be a shame and a pity all around.

If, however, you only wanted a short answer and not a long discussion of the topic, the I fear I must apologize, as indeed I did '<a href="http://www.livejournal.com/users/roliasnoom/233291.html"">go off</a>.'

And, as a point of fact, everyone is called to celibacy. Look it up and you may see why. However, I do not believe that Episcopalian ministers, unlike Catholic priests, are called to be abstinent. Nor are they necessarily men, as Catholic priests are, and these two points cause a few of the contentions between Catholics and Episcopalians.

Celibacy

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

I was a bit less than satisfied with the definition Merriam-Webster Online (http://www.webster.com) gave for Celibacy... Though they did say "the state of being unmarried," as well as the "abstaining from marriage by a vow," they missed the third point, in that even married couples are called to a sort of celibacy -- that is, you stay with your partner. Still, I feel my point is sufficiently made.