Episcopal Church Affirms Inclusion

The leadership of the Episcopal Church has affirmed its inclusion of gay and lesbian members and has rejected the demands of conservatives for a parallel leadership structure.

Here’s the news story from The New York Times, March 22, 2007:
Episcopal Church Rejects Demands for a 2nd Leadership

From the statement issued by the church’s House of Bishops:

“We proclaim the Gospel of what God has done and is doing in Christ, of the dignity of every human being, and of justice, compassion, and peace. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ there is no Jew or Greek, no male or female, no slave or free. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God’s children, including women, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ’s Church. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God’s children, including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ’s Church. We proclaim the Gospel that stands against any violence, including violence done to women and children as well as those who are persecuted because of their differences, often in the name of God.”

Comments

[M]

Wow. Amen, amen. What a movement of God's hand. Astounding.

[John G.]

The demand for a second leadership of the Episcopalian Church was ridiculous. I am thrilled that the House of Bishops has issued such a strong and rigorous rejection of it. A huge step in the wrong direction has been avoided.

Lets see how the originators of the idea for a second leadership respond. And just as important, lets see how American churches that have split, or are considering splitting, react.

[jason]

Bravo! Would that other churches follow in suit.

[Alec Kemp]

I am a member of a Church of England Church in London UK. As a gay man I am accepted and love there, as are all people who enter their door. I though you may be interested on a statement which is available inside the church and also on their web site

St Botolph's is a friendly and inclusive church.

BEWARE!

Here we practice the inclusive Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This means you may be mixing with tax-collectors, sinners, adulterers, hypocrites, Greeks, Jews, women as well as men, female and male priests, homosexuals, lesbians, the disabled, dying thieves, and other sinners; black people, Asians and other ethnic minorities, Muslims, Bishops, bigots, peoples of other faiths, strangers from Rome and Nigeria, heretics, etc, etc - even you, dear guest are most welcome in fact anyone like those who Jesus mixed with.

So beware, this is not a private club...

WELCOME TO ALL!