Global South Anglicans will see Pilling Report as Betrayal of Jerusalem Declaration & GFAC
Church of England urged to offer same-sex blessings while rejecting marriage ceremonies for gay couples
News Analysis
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
November 29, 2013
A report produced by four bishops and chaired by former civil servant Sir Joseph Pilling said members of the clergy of the Church of England should be allowed to offer blessings to same-sex couples but rejected a "formal liturgy" for gay marriage as "unacceptable". However, it says priests should be "free" to give gay couples a "public service". Other recommendations include repentance for homophobia within the Church and the avoidance of "intrusive questioning".
The report says the Church must find "ways of honoring" gay Christians who "conscious of the Church's teaching, have embraced a chaste and single lifestyle, and also those who in good conscience have entered partnerships with a firm intention of life-long fidelity".
For some 1,400 mostly evangelical Global South Anglicans who met recently in Nairobi under the banner of GAFCON II, this will be viewed as a distinction without a difference and will confirm in their minds that they were right to plant the Anglican Mission in England (AMIE).
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
Church of England urged to offer same-sex blessings while rejecting marriage ceremonies for gay couples
News Analysis
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
November 29, 2013
A report produced by four bishops and chaired by former civil servant Sir Joseph Pilling said members of the clergy of the Church of England should be allowed to offer blessings to same-sex couples but rejected a "formal liturgy" for gay marriage as "unacceptable". However, it says priests should be "free" to give gay couples a "public service". Other recommendations include repentance for homophobia within the Church and the avoidance of "intrusive questioning".The report says the Church must find "ways of honoring" gay Christians who "conscious of the Church's teaching, have embraced a chaste and single lifestyle, and also those who in good conscience have entered partnerships with a firm intention of life-long fidelity".
For some 1,400 mostly evangelical Global South Anglicans who met recently in Nairobi under the banner of GAFCON II, this will be viewed as a distinction without a difference and will confirm in their minds that they were right to plant the Anglican Mission in England (AMIE).
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
