Help! The Episcopal Church is Falling Apart!!!

I never intended this blog to deal solely with Episcopal Church matters ... but it is my newly-adopted church, and it seems that as many as eight churches, some of them quite large, in the Diocese of Virginia have voted to leave the Episcopal Church. Rev. John Yates of the Falls Church claims that "The Episcopalian ship is in trouble." The focusing issue here is attitudes towards (gasp!!) homosexuality. A broader issue is the interpretation of Scripture.

In addition to Virginia, the Diocese of South Carolina has elected a bishop who seems to be leaning towards leaving the church. Several other Dioceses area leaning that way also, having established relationships with foreign provinces.

Frankly, in the very long run, none of this matters. We Christians believe - I hope! - that we will all be reconciled before God. Christianity has survived hundreds of splits over what now seem to be trivial matters. In the very long run, we will move beyond this. Heck, in the very long run, the first female Pope will offer apologies for the Church's treatment of LGBT people*.

In the shorter run, though, there is reason to be gravely concerned. The Falls Church and Truro Church are considering becoming part of the Nigerian church's mission in the US. They would report to Archbishop Peter Akinola. The Nigerian government is currently considering a bill that would make it illegal for LGBT people to form organizations, for churches to bless same-sex marriages, or for any public or even private celebration of a "same-sex amorous relationship." The law would propose a penalty of five years in prison. Homosexuality is already punishable, I believe, by up to 14 years in prison. The US State Department, no bastion of liberalism, has condemned the legislation. Archbishop Akinola has supported this legislation. He is either blind to the suffering of LGBT people in Nigeria, or he doesn't care. Neither of these traits is becoming of a Christian, especially not an ordained Christian minister, and certainly not a man who is leading a whole province.

If the Falls Church and Truro Church associate with Nigeria, they will be willfully turning a blind eye to a major violation of human rights. It is incredible that people could fear homosexuality so much that they would resort to government repression, or associate with those who do. If you don't like the thought of homosexual sex, then NO ONE IS FORCING YOU TO DO IT.



* This isn't my line. I stole it from someone at a rally I attended. It was a while ago, and I don't remember his name. But I do remember that he was gay and Roman Catholic ... not that that narrows it down very much.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/17/us/17episcopal.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5088&en=9f3d9e1203c119e1&ex=1324011600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss