I den episkopale kirken i USA utspiller det seg for tiden et tragisk drama. Den konservative biskopen William Love blir møtt med anklager om at han ødelegger kirkens disiplin, tilbedelse og de løfter han avga da han ble ordinert fordi han ikke vil legge til rette for likekjønnede vielser. Det er Christian Concern som skriver:
The Episcopal Church of the United States of America (TEC) has found Bishop William Love, Bishop of Albany, guilty of “violating the Discipline of the Church,” “violating the Worship of the Church,” and “failing to abide by the promises and vows made when ordained.”
What awful, blasphemous and wolf-ish act had the Bishop done? He wrote a letter to the clergy in his diocese instructing them not to perform same-sex marriages.
How did it get to this point?
The US Episcopal Church, which is overseen by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, speaker at the Royal Wedding in 2018, and part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, has embraced liberalism for a number of years. In 2003, the church ordained Gene Robinson, an openly practising homosexual, as a Bishop of New Hampshire. In 2012, the church authorised liturgy for the blessing of same-sex unions, and in 2015 they entirely capitulated and redefined marriage, eliminating language that defined marriage being between a man and a woman, and allowing same-sex ‘marriages’ to take place in their churches.
When same-sex ‘marriages’ were introduced, Bishops were allowed to decide for their dioceses whether they would allow gay marriages or not, but this changed in 2018 with the passing of Resolution B012. It said:
“Resolved [8], That in dioceses where the bishop… holds a theological position that does not embrace marriage for same-sex couples, and there is a desire to use such rites by same-sex couples in a congregation or worshipping community, the bishop exercising ecclesiastical authority (or ecclesiastical supervision) shall invite, as necessary, another bishop of this Church to provide pastoral support to the couple, the Member of the Clergy involved and the congregation or worshipping community in order to fulfill the intention of this resolution that all couples have convenient and reasonable local congregational access to these rites…”
This is saying if an orthodox Bishop does not support gay ‘marriage’, they must make every effort to find alternative provisions so that gay weddings can take place in their diocese.
ishop William Love’s pastoral letter
Bishop William Love responded to the passing of the resolution with a faithful, Biblical, and bold pastoral letter to all the clergy of his diocese. He wrote:
“With the passage of B012, the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church in effect is attempting to order me as a Bishop in God’s holy Church, to compromise ‘the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints’ (Jude 3 ESV)…
“B012’s stated intent of making liturgies for same-sex marriages available for use in every Diocese and parish of the Episcopal Church (where civil law authorizes same-sex marriage)is in direct conflict and contradiction to God’s intent for the sacrament of marriage as revealed through Holy Scripture…
“B012… encourages Brothers and Sisters in Christ who have same-sex attractions, to act on those attractions engaging in sexual behavior that God through Holy Scripture has not only NOT blessed, but has identified as sinful and forbidden…
“B012 is contributing to false teaching in the Church regarding marriage and human sexuality, thus opening the door for people with same-sex attractions to fall into sin by disordering God’s original design in creation.”
Because of the pastoral letter and his refusal to back down, disciplinary measures were launched against Bishop William Love. Last week he was found guilty. A hearing will be scheduled this month to determine the terms of discipline.
