Presbyterian Leaders OK Gay, Lesbian Clergy
Hours after giving their blessing to ordaining noncelibate gays and lesbians, leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) declined late Thursday to change the church's definition of marriage, in effect refusing to allow same-sex marriages within their denomination.
If the proposal had been approved, the church's definition of marriage would have changed from a commitment between "a woman and a man" to "two people" and allowed church weddings in states that have legalized gay marriage.
The late-night decision to table the proposal and subject it to two more years of study caught many delegates at the denomination's gathering at the Minneapolis Convention Center by surprise, and there was a stunned silence as delegates absorbed the action.
The gay ordination proposal, which did pass, still must be approved by the majority of the church's 173 local "presbyteries," or district governing bodies, within the next year before it can take effect.
Had the marriage measure passed, it, too would have had to be approved by the presbyteries.
Only a few mainstream Christian denominations now conduct same-sex marriages, but many, like the Presbyterians, are debating the issue as uncertainty grows over churches' role in such marriages, now the law of the land in five states and Washington, D.C.
Legalized gay marriage "puts pastors in a bind," Bolbach said. "Let's say you have gay or lesbian members of your congregation who want to get married. The law allows it. What are they supposed to do?" The Presbyterians' discussion was "a reflection of what's going on in the secular world," she said.
Hours before the surprise shelving of the marriage measure, the assembly approved changing the denomination's ordination policy to make noncelibate gays and lesbians eligible to become clergy. The vote was 373-323.
It was the fourth time the assembly had approved such a change. The previous times, it was rejected by district leaders. Church leaders believe it has a better chance of meeting district approval this time.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has about 2 million Americans.
Presbyterian ministers currently are permitted to perform ceremonial blessings of same-sex couples, but nothing more. –Sun News
FBI Warns Seattle Cartoonist
A Seattle cartoonist who drew a cartoon about the Prophet Mohammed has been warned by the FBI about death threats made against her by a radical cleric with ties to al Qaeda, an FBI agent said Tuesday.
"She should be taken as a prime target of assassination," terror suspect Anwar al-Awlaki purportedly wrote about cartoonist Molly Norris in an English-language magazine called Inspire that claimed to be a publication of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
"This campaign is not a practice of freedom of speech, but is a nationwide mass movement of Americans" who are "going out of their way to offend Muslims worldwide," the article signed by al-Awlaki continued. Al-Awlaki is himself being sought in Yemen for his alleged role as a planner of the failed bombing of a Detroit-bound passenger plane on Christmas Day last year.
Norris has been advised to take precautions to ensure her safety, said FBI Special Agent Marty Prewett. –CNN U.S.
Church Of England Takes A Step Toward Women Bishops
The Church of England took a small step toward allowing women to serve as bishops Monday, with its governing body voting to recommend their elevation despite warnings from traditionalists that it could split the church.
Church leaders meeting in York overwhelmingly supported changing canon law to accommodate women as bishops. But the move by the church's General Synod must be approved at a future meeting of the governing body, after parishes take at least a year to consider the question.
"This is good news for the whole church, and we are delighted," the Rev. Rachel Weir, leader of the group Women and the Church, which supported the change. The decision "gives the church a powerful mandate to move forward enthusiastically, welcoming the ministry of women at all levels within the church, whilst making space for those who are opposed to stay within our body," Weir said in a statement applauding the vote.
The Church of England first began ordaining women as priests in 1994 and has been debating whether they should become bishops since 2005. But the issue, along with the debate over the ordination of gay priests, has put a serious strain on the 77-million-member Anglican Communion worldwide.
The Catholic Church has reached out to disaffected Anglicans, raising the possibility that conservatives could leave en masse. The General Synod rejected a compromise backed by the nominal head of the church, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, over the weekend, with priests rejecting the measure despite the support of bishops and lay leaders.
Forward in Faith, a conservative group that opposes the ordination of women as "contrary to the scriptures," said Monday's vote "contains nothing which can satisfy the legitimate needs" of its members.
"Now, though, is not the time for precipitate action," it said. Its leaders will take stock and debate the issue at upcoming meetings in September and October, the group said in a statement on the decision. –CNN World
Hours after giving their blessing to ordaining noncelibate gays and lesbians, leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) declined late Thursday to change the church's definition of marriage, in effect refusing to allow same-sex marriages within their denomination.
If the proposal had been approved, the church's definition of marriage would have changed from a commitment between "a woman and a man" to "two people" and allowed church weddings in states that have legalized gay marriage.
The late-night decision to table the proposal and subject it to two more years of study caught many delegates at the denomination's gathering at the Minneapolis Convention Center by surprise, and there was a stunned silence as delegates absorbed the action.
The gay ordination proposal, which did pass, still must be approved by the majority of the church's 173 local "presbyteries," or district governing bodies, within the next year before it can take effect.
Had the marriage measure passed, it, too would have had to be approved by the presbyteries.
Only a few mainstream Christian denominations now conduct same-sex marriages, but many, like the Presbyterians, are debating the issue as uncertainty grows over churches' role in such marriages, now the law of the land in five states and Washington, D.C.
Legalized gay marriage "puts pastors in a bind," Bolbach said. "Let's say you have gay or lesbian members of your congregation who want to get married. The law allows it. What are they supposed to do?" The Presbyterians' discussion was "a reflection of what's going on in the secular world," she said.
Hours before the surprise shelving of the marriage measure, the assembly approved changing the denomination's ordination policy to make noncelibate gays and lesbians eligible to become clergy. The vote was 373-323.
It was the fourth time the assembly had approved such a change. The previous times, it was rejected by district leaders. Church leaders believe it has a better chance of meeting district approval this time.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has about 2 million Americans.
Presbyterian ministers currently are permitted to perform ceremonial blessings of same-sex couples, but nothing more. –Sun News
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FBI Warns Seattle Cartoonist
A Seattle cartoonist who drew a cartoon about the Prophet Mohammed has been warned by the FBI about death threats made against her by a radical cleric with ties to al Qaeda, an FBI agent said Tuesday.
"She should be taken as a prime target of assassination," terror suspect Anwar al-Awlaki purportedly wrote about cartoonist Molly Norris in an English-language magazine called Inspire that claimed to be a publication of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
"This campaign is not a practice of freedom of speech, but is a nationwide mass movement of Americans" who are "going out of their way to offend Muslims worldwide," the article signed by al-Awlaki continued. Al-Awlaki is himself being sought in Yemen for his alleged role as a planner of the failed bombing of a Detroit-bound passenger plane on Christmas Day last year.
Norris has been advised to take precautions to ensure her safety, said FBI Special Agent Marty Prewett. –CNN U.S.
<><><>*<><><>
Church Of England Takes A Step Toward Women Bishops
The Church of England took a small step toward allowing women to serve as bishops Monday, with its governing body voting to recommend their elevation despite warnings from traditionalists that it could split the church.
Church leaders meeting in York overwhelmingly supported changing canon law to accommodate women as bishops. But the move by the church's General Synod must be approved at a future meeting of the governing body, after parishes take at least a year to consider the question.
"This is good news for the whole church, and we are delighted," the Rev. Rachel Weir, leader of the group Women and the Church, which supported the change. The decision "gives the church a powerful mandate to move forward enthusiastically, welcoming the ministry of women at all levels within the church, whilst making space for those who are opposed to stay within our body," Weir said in a statement applauding the vote.
The Church of England first began ordaining women as priests in 1994 and has been debating whether they should become bishops since 2005. But the issue, along with the debate over the ordination of gay priests, has put a serious strain on the 77-million-member Anglican Communion worldwide.
The Catholic Church has reached out to disaffected Anglicans, raising the possibility that conservatives could leave en masse. The General Synod rejected a compromise backed by the nominal head of the church, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, over the weekend, with priests rejecting the measure despite the support of bishops and lay leaders.
Forward in Faith, a conservative group that opposes the ordination of women as "contrary to the scriptures," said Monday's vote "contains nothing which can satisfy the legitimate needs" of its members.
"Now, though, is not the time for precipitate action," it said. Its leaders will take stock and debate the issue at upcoming meetings in September and October, the group said in a statement on the decision. –CNN World
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