CT Supreme Court Issues Ruling in Favor of The Episcopal Church in Case Involving Bishop Seabury Episcopal Church in Groton

September 30, 2011 -  

Today, the Connecticut Supreme Court, without dissent, ruled in favor of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut in a lawsuit brought to return to the Church control of the real and personal property of Bishop Seabury Episcopal Church in Groton. This ruling brings to a welcome conclusion the dispute that arose when the former ordained and lay leadership of the parish chose to leave The Episcopal Church but had refused to relinquish possession of its property.

Those individuals, named as defendants in the action, argued to the court that they could choose who would control the parish property and that the property was not subject to the doctrine and polity of The Episcopal Church. As it did in 1993, the Supreme Court has rejected that claim, ruling instead that The Episcopal Church has the right to govern itself and that courts should respect and enforce the trust in which church property is held for the Diocese and for the wider Church. While we are all blessed with the right to worship as we choose, the court's ruling joins the many other states that have ruled that those who leave The Episcopal Church cannot take property of the Church with them.

We remain saddened, however, that the ordained and lay leaders of Bishop Seabury Church who chose to depart The Episcopal Church refused to settle these matters amicably out of court resulting in the use of precious financial resources for legal battles rather than to extend God's reconciling love in the world.

Bishop of Connecticut Ian T. Douglas responded to the decision: "This has been a long and difficult process that has taken away from our common witness to the Good News of God in our Savior Jesus Christ. With the decision of The Supreme Court we can now put this matter behind us and once again turn our full attention to the work of proclaiming and making real that Good News in all the world."

The people and worshipping communities of the Diocese of Connecticut look forward to restored unity with our sisters and brothers in Groton as we continue to serve God's mission of reconciliation and healing.

Rightwingers Trick Voters Into Signing Antigay Petition

he effort to overturn California's FAIR Act, which mandates the teaching of LGBT history and leaders in public schools, is ramping up — and conservatives are turning to duplicitous means to get their way.

JoeMyGod obtained video of a gay man in San Diego County who came upon a booth featurning information on Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted as a child. The information booth insinuates that people signing their petition are advocating support for increased penalties against child molesters — they're actually signing a petition to get the FAIR Act, or SB48, overturned at the ballot. Watch the video below.

Why Young Adults Are Walking Away From Church

There are plenty of criticisms offered against today's American youth and young adults. And despite the fact that I turn 40 in a few weeks, I still consider myself among them: a kindred spirit of cultural orphans, still sifting through the detritus of an evaporating American Dream to figure out who we might be without it.

Alisa Harris' memoir, "Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics," reflects on the apparent cultural, spiritual and economic desert time in which we find ourselves. We have witnessed the carnage of a financial system that was intended to perpetually buoy a nation, but whose "invisible hand" has instead crushed the dreams of millions. We've watched as the two-headed political serpent attacks itself until it is impotent. We've seen religious figures scandalize their institutions empty, as a generation walks away in search of something more relevant to their daily struggle. MORE

Unitarian church disappointed by UK's ‘discriminatory’ gay marriage plans

The chief officer of the British Unitarian Church says he is disappointed by the announcement of a government consultation on gay marriage.

Derek McAuley said it would be discriminatory not to allow religious gay marriages and questioned why the process could not begin before Christmas, rather than the scheduled date of March 2012.

The Unitarian Church, along with the Quakers, Liberal and Reform Judaism, has stated its support for same-sex marriage. The churches have asked for the right to hold marriages for gay couples but government ministers say the consultation will only look at civil marriage. Pink News

Magazine seeks photos for 'A Day with HIV in America'

In this year that marks the 30th anniversary of AIDS, a magazine aimed at those living with HIV is seeking photographs of people for its second annual "A Day with HIV in America."
(read more)

Judge Orders Prop. 8 Trial Tapes to Go Public

Video recordings of the Proposition 8 trial should be unsealed and made available to the public, a federal judge handling procedural matters in the case ruled Monday morning. Pending appeal, of course. Advocate

DADT is Dead

The military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, one described in 1993 by President Bill Clinton as “an honorable compromise” that  eventually destroyed thousands of careers, ended Tuesday at 12:01 a.m., nine months after Congress repealed the law. Advocate

Update on Irish civil partnership controversy

Update on Irish civil partnership controversy from Thinking Anglicans:

• See earlier reports here, and then here.
• The Church of Ireland Gazette last week published an editorial column, which can be read in full here (scroll down a little).
• The same link also contains (scroll down more) a number of letters to the editor on this topic.
• Today, there are reports in the Portadown Times of a further statement from ten clergy: Clerics unite against civil partnership.

California Faith for Equality, Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry, and the Coalition of Welcoming Congregations of the Bay Area present voices of faith, lifting each other up, in the pursuit of full equality for all. v

California Faith for Equality, Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry, and the Coalition of Welcoming Congregations of the Bay Area present voices of faith, lifting each other up, in the pursuit of full equality for all.

Changing Attitude Ireland Responds to Dean Gordon’s Civil Partnership and Resulting Statements in the Media

Firstly, Changing Attitude Ireland would like to extend its hearty congratulations to Dean Tom Gordon and his partner on their civil partnership, and wish them God’s continued blessing on their life together as it enters a new phase.
We would also like to commend them on their courage. It is never easy to be a path-breaker, and some of the reaction to the news of their partnership was singularly lacking in charity; it must have been quite bruising to be on the receiving end of it. We assure them of our gratitude and our prayers.
In the Church of Ireland, we have always lived with profound differences in our understanding of issues of significant theological weight, such as the nature of God’s revelation in Holy Scripture and our understanding of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. We have lived with significant differences in our approach to personal sexual morality, for example in our approach to divorce and remarriage. Despite these differences, relations within our Church have always been characterised by tolerance, charity and good humour.
The decision of a priest in the Church to enter into a civil partnership is certainly of no more theological significance, and arguably of considerably less, than other issues where the Church of Ireland has accommodated diversity with mutual generosity and grace.
We are therefore saddened and perplexed by the joint statements released by four Conservative Evangelical and Charismatic groups following the announcement of Dean Gordon’s civil partnership. These have only served to raise the temperature within the Church of Ireland, and have not contributed to reasoned discussion; and their content raises a number of other concerns.
Dean Gordon’s partnership of 20 years has been widely known in the Church of Ireland for almost that entire period. These statements have not been a consequence of a Church of Ireland clergyman living in a same-sex partnership per se, but of a Church of Ireland clergyman choosing to formalise that partnership in law.
The attitude of the four Conservative Evangelical and Charismatic groups seems, therefore, to be that it is alright to be in a same-sex relationship as long as one is not public about it. Previous generations of gay people in Ireland were forced to hide their love for fear of prison. When Irish society has become overwhelmingly tolerant of homosexuality, it is distressing that these groups seem primarily interested in perpetuating a culture of secrecy in the Church.
The intrusive, public, questioning of Dean Gordon’s private life in the two statements displayed incredible arrogance and poor taste. More seriously than that, it seems to violate the Scriptural command to turn judgement first on ourselves before we judge our neighbour. It also displayed un-Christlike double standards – it is inconceivable that the private life of any other clergyperson in the Church of Ireland would be subject to such impertinent prurience.
But this is only the tip of an iceberg of an unhealthy obsession with the subject of homosexuality from Conservative Evangelical groups in the Church of Ireland. Seven of the eight statements published on the homepage of the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy, for example, concern the issue of homosexuality. As Christians, we worry that this elevates dogmatic legalism above spreading the good news of salvation in Christ. Those looking in from outside the Church are more likely to see a weird fixation on what gay men and women get up to in the privacy of their own homes.
The people of this island, especially our young people, are fearful of the future, cynical about church and state leaders who promised much but betrayed their promises, and unwilling to give credibility to anyone who has not earned it. Our people have seen church leaders who imposed their view of sexual morality on others and bullied and abused those who disagreed revealed to be corrupt and corrupting. Is an obsession with homosexuality really likely to bring them to Christ?
There are also issues of personal sexual morality where those on all wings of the Church could work together. The advertising industry sexualises our children at a frighteningly young age. In this internet age, the temptation to look at pornography is only a mouse-click away, and yet we do nothing to build up our people to resist. Indeed, these are issues where we could work with groups who are often deeply cynical about the Church, such as secular feminists, and break down misconceptions that frustrate mission. With so many areas where we could work together, it is all the more sad that some seem intent on driving people apart.
ENDS
Changing Attitude Ireland is a Church of Ireland group with ecumenical friends, campaigning for the full acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and intersex people in the Church.

AMiE explains more of its plan to subvert the CofE

From Thinking Anglicans:

AMiE explains more of its plan to subvert the CofE

The Anglican Mission in England has published an article by Vinay Samuel and Chris Sugden titled AMIE is a game-changer.

The ordinations of three young Englishmen by the Archbishop of Kenya in June and the launch of the Anglican Mission in England was a “game-changer”. It marked a turning point after four and a half years of discussions with and proposals to Lambeth Palace. These discussions were to seek a way of providing effective Episcopal oversight to those for whom this had become problematic in the Church of England.
The launch of AMIE and the establishment of its panel of bishops indicated that we would no longer play the game of Church of England politics as defined by the Church of England Establishment.
The rules of the Establishment are premised on the fact that they have the luxury of time. They hold all the cards. All they have to do is to sit where they are. Their main tactic is to weaken the orthodox ranks in two ways: by co-opting some of the orthodox into their number and second by suggesting that there is such a significant divergence of views among the orthodox that they have neither coherence nor cohesion…

The first comment on this article has appeared at Episcopal Cafe where Nick Knisely has written Speaking frankly about the Anglican Mission in England.

…Much of this is familiar to people who remember the first moves of the AMIA movement here in the US back in 2000 and the subsequent irregular ordinations of Chuck Murphy and John Rodgers to the episcopate. This latest essay makes clear that the new organization in England is also planning to ignore the rules of the Anglican Communion when they get in the way of their goals.
It will be interesting to see how the arc of this storyline parallels that of the Episcopal Church’s experience with their dissident voices over the last decade.

No doubt there will be more comments to come.

Posted by Simon Sarmiento on Saturday, 17 September 2011 at 11:17pm BST 

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Repeal Countdown: The End Is Near!

SAN DIEGO — Night-long celebrations will mark the final countdown to the historic end of the U.S. military's ban on openly gay troops, and even more partying will take place once it is lifted Tuesday. But in many ways change is already here. MORE

Jews Worried By Vatican Gesture To Traditionalists

VATICAN CITY — Some Jewish groups voiced concern Friday that the Vatican might be calling into question more than 40 years of progress in Catholic-Jewish relations by reaching out to a group of breakaway traditionalist Catholics that includes a Holocaust-denying bishop. MORE

A Christian Parent in Support of the CA FAIR Education Act

"Part of my calling in life and ministry is as a board member for California Faith for Equality, an organization that works with communities of faith who support and affirm the LGBT community, By engaging in training, advocacy and organizing around issues of marriage, bullying, education, etc. we boldly claim that faith traditions who would work against LGBT rights do not speak for all people of faith. It has been a privilege to serve as part of this group.

In response to recent efforts to repeal the FAIR Education Act, we have put together a quick video for people to watch and share. There is going be anti-FAIR messaging that exploits people’s fear about sexual indoctrination, fiscal contraints and parental rights, so please share this alternative voice with those who might have heard about the repeal movement and need more info."

MORE

Prop 8 Broadway Play Readies For Debut

"This was the first time I've ever seen our case argued by the most capable lawyers in the world, in a court of law where the other side had to raise their right hand and swear to tell the truth," Black says. "That is where, I think, for the first time, we in the gay and lesbian movement found sanity in the debate about who we are."

There was only one problem – few people could see the trial. Proposition 8 backers had succeeded in getting the U.S. Supreme Court to bar broadcast of the trial. Only a transcript would be available.

"It killed me to think that this would only live inside this courtroom for the dozens to see and not the country to see," Black says. "It killed me and I think it killed all of us in the room. We immediately started trying to figure out, `How do we get this truth out there?"

The answer will be seen next week when Black unveils the play "8," based on what happened at the trial. A one-night-only staged reading on Broadway has already attracted an all-star cast including Morgan Freeman, Anthony Edwards, John Lithgow, Christine Lahti, Rob Reiner, Larry Kramer and Marisa Tome MORE

Santa Clara teen who tried to 'pray the gay away' now champions gay youths

As a sixth-grader, Cyrus Sinai would often drop to his knees, desperately trying to "pray the gay away."

Born to Iranian parents, active in the Mormon Church and approaching puberty, young Cyrus was desperately confused about his sexual feelings. .

"I felt like my life had ended," Sinai said. "I pictured living in a shadowy underworld. I felt like I had cancer."

Saturday the 18-year-old Santa Clara High graduate heads off to university with a $10,000 prize he won this summer from a San Francisco-based group championing the bravery of gay youth.

"Cyrus is the most amazing activist I've ever met," said Michael Wilson, the school's Gay Straight Alliance adviser. "I've been all over the world and met a lot of activists." More

"Back to Church Sunday Video:" Simply False Advertising.

Watch the video above and you might think there's a real movement spreading across America to welcome people back to forgiving, non-judgmental churches from sea to shining sea.

But you would be wrong.

 As Thomas Squires pointed out on our Facebook page:

The video is great (I thought at first it was either a UCC produced vid or Episcopal)....it isn't. Read their statement of Faith:  especially where if you join this "initiative" you must be a church that does not condone homosexuality.(See on.fb.me/mPs8SW)

Thomas is right - he did the research I should have done before posting this clip to the web site. Watching the video you would think that those who made it understand that Christianity is not about judging one another. But in the fine print their web site says churches must live by a creed they set out in detail. Reading their creed makes it clear those behind this slick campaign are the same old same old.

Their creed that includes a promise that the church will:

"uphold the Word of God, and not engage in moral compromise (Romans 12:2) or affirm any sin such as sexual immorality, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, stealing, greed, drunkenness, slander, swindling (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip (Romans 1:21-32), witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, factions, or envy (Galatians 5:19-21)."

So much for diversity of opinion - or perhaps you can disagree so long as it is not about anything included in the creeds. Not that there would be much left to disagree about after reading the full creed.

If you really read the Bible, it is quite clear Jesus has little use for "proof texters" whether they are the Scribes of his day or these Pharisees of our day. Proof texting is proof texting and it almost always misses the point of what Jesus wants us to do.

But the hypocritical nature of this campaign does not end with misleading people into thinking that these churches are actually inclusive, that they permit diversity of opinion, that they are different from the old churches  - the ones that raised money across America to pass Prop 8 or the ones whose theology supported generations of Jim Crow laws.

What is really wrong with their ad is that it they don't apply their creed to everyone. It is not as if Churches who sign onto this creed will really speak out against ant-gay "hatred" or the "selfish ambition" of the Silicon Valley millionaires who back conservative politicians. It is not as if churches accepting this creed will take even one step to decrease the "malice" so many display towards LGBTQ children. It is not as if this creed requires those folks to do anything more than mouth the old time religion that so many Americans (and even more Europeans) reject.

Next year those who misuse the Bible as an offensive weapon will  undoubtedly be back with more slick (and misleading) videos and other uniform promotional materials. If they do, maybe we should call them on their inaccurate advertising. This is a free country and they are free to believe what they want. But misleading people into thinking they are something new is simply false advertising.

In Suburb, Battle Goes Public on Bullying of Gay Students

Then in July, six students brought a lawsuit contending that school officials have failed to stop relentless antigay bullying and that a district policy requiring teachers to remain “neutral” on issues of sexual orientation has fostered oppressive silence and a corrosive stigma. Also this summer, parents and students here learned that the federal Department of Justice was deep into a civil rights investigation into complaints about unchecked harassment of gay students in the district. The inquiry is still under way. More

Church Leaders Threaten to "Remove" Anyone Who Supports SB 48

The Advocate reports: ""This is not about us hating anyone, or being homophobic or guilty of bigotry," said Xavier Thompson, pastor for Southern Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, where the rally was held. "We believe you cannot sexualize history."

The law does not require homosexual sex be taught, rather that stories about leaders of the gay rights movement be included in lesson plans."

Anglican Covenant roundup

From Thinking Anglicans: 

From New Zealand come reports that two further dioceses have voted against adoption of the Anglican Covenant:
Auckland Covenant clause ‘contrary to Anglican ecclesiology’
Waiapu The following motion was defeated by a 99.5% majority:

Waiapu affirms its desire to remain a member of the Anglican Communion. We do not believe that the proposed Anglican Communion Covenant will enhance the life of the Communion and request that General Synod/te Hinota Whanui declines to sign the Covenant. (All three regional conferences supported this motion going to Synod.) More here and here. 

The No Anglican Covenant campaign has criticised the materials recently issued in the Diocese of Oxford.
Meanwhile, the Living Church has published a number of articles in support of the Covenant, to which Lionel Deimel has helpfully provided a set of links. See this page. He explains why he did this here.
One of these is by Andrew Goddard who has published an interesting article which suggests that, in the light of the Anglican Covenant’s prospective adoption, some reforms are needed to the Anglican Instruments of Unity.
This is also available from the Fulcrum website: Commitment in Word and Deed.