Weak prayer for Christian Unity

Thanks to Dave Walker
of The Cartoon Church
(which may be the better sort)

First the good news,

ON THE INCLUSION OF ALL PERSONS REGARDLESS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AS FULL AND EQUAL PARTICIPANTS IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST'S CHURCH.

Resolved by the 192nd Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, that the Diocese continue to demonstrate its commitment to radical hospitality and, that in accordance with the House of Bishops' Statement, Fall 2007, 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" by:

1) Urging the Archbishop of Canterbury to extend to the duly elected and consecrated Bishop of New Hampshire an invitation to full participation in the Lambeth Conference of 2008;

2) Encouraging our Deputies to the 2009 General Convention to ensure compliance with Title III. Canon I. Section 2, which supports the full and equal participation of all persons regardless of sexual orientation in all aspects of the Church's ministries, lay and ordained;

3) Encouraging the General Convention to call for the development of public liturgies for the blessing of same sex unions.

On the other hand, Pluralist pointed out that the matter of the Unitarians and Chester Cathedral dates back to 2006. This year's insult to the Unitarians may be found in Padiham, Lancashire.

Several blogs (link to Episcopal Cafe) are reporting that the inhibited Bishop Schofield of San Joaquin has sacked 6 out of 8 of his Diocesan Standing Committee. These 6 refused to follow the wandering Bishop into the Province of the Southern Cone. The Bishop only wants people who are on his side.

And a reminder about The Anglican Centre in Rome working for greater closeness between the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church. So to mention that those who wish to prevent the consecration of women as bishops argue that this step would further damage relations with Rome (a Church which still does not recognise the validity of any Anglican Orders) would clearly be in poor taste.