From the Journal
Bishop James Cowan of the diocese of British Columbia has reversed a policy that prohibits clergy in same-gender relationships from serving in the diocese. As a result, he has been able to match up a parish looking for clergy, with “a fine, fine priest.” She had been on leave for eight years because she was in a same-gender relationship.
She had “been on the margins of the church,” said Bishop Cowan. “I didn’t see that there was reason to leave her on those margins any longer when her gifts and talents could be used.”
Bishop Cowan had followed the policy since being elected bishop 12 years ago. Then, at the 2008 Lambeth Conference, the decennial meeting of bishops from across the Anglican Communion, there was a lot of discussion about the Windsor Report, which had called for three moratoria on: the blessing of same-sex unions; the ordination of clergy in same-gender relationships as bishops; and cross-border interventions in the affairs of other provinces.
The moratorium on the ordination to the episcopate of persons living in same-gender unions caught Bishop Cowan’s attention.
“That wording said to me…[that] Lambeth is acknowledging that there are people in same-gender relationships who are priests who canonically would be eligible for election and consecration. “…The moratoria says we will not elect and consecrate,” he said. “But it [still] says that they are there.”
While at Lambeth, Bishop Cowan decided to test whether or not his reading of the moratorium was a valid one. So he asked other bishops, both Canadian and international, who were on both sides of the issue.
“It wasn’t something that had immediately leapt to some of their minds, but they said ‘Yes, that is a reading of that statement.’ ” He gave it more thought and consulted with more bishops while on sabbatical earlier this year and consistently heard that there were priests in same-gender relationships actively serving.
After those consultations, he “determined that this was the right time to revise the policy.”
“While at Lambeth, Bishop Cowan decided to test whether or not his reading of the moratorium was a valid one.” To put it another way: I want to do something that I know is directly contrary to the spirit of the moratoriums, but let’s see if I can get away with it.
He needed to consult with bishops at Lambeth to find out that there are clergy in same-sex relationships around North America? Guy needs to get out more. Or someone should show him the internets. It’s a constant shock how dense most North American Anglican bishops are.
This is not surprising!! Once heresy takes hold the slippery slope into total decadence will certainly become steeper and faster. As the ACoC takes continual steps to either muzzle or totally cow those of limited intestinal fortitude within that heterodox organization the resultant effects of rampant heresy will increase. There will be no viable defense for the Christians remaining as their Christian leadership is marginalized and rendered nondescript. The selective “inclusiveness” of the ACoC is actually comical!
If this same person was openly in a relationship with a man to whom she was not married, would she still be a “fine, fine priest”? The ACoC has not changed its definition of marriage nor its de jure expectations of clergy to live blameless lives.
Above that, this appointment presents a stumbling block to many who seek salvation.
This appointment is just wrong, on so many levels. I wish it actually distressed me, but it really doesn’t. I pray that the Christian communities in the area have their arms open wide to accept those seekers.
“So he asked other bishops, both Canadian and international, who were on both sides of the issue.”
I have to wonder who these international bishops were. Possibly Vicky Gene Robinson? Other bisops from Provinces that have homosexual “clergy”. He could have been deliberately selective in who he was asking in order to get the answers he was looking for. This kind of tactic is not unheard of and is certainly used by those who are agenda driven.
We could also say that he went looking for his desired answers because he could not find what he wanted in the Word of God. Simply demonstrates that this James Cowan person isn’t really a Bishop at all. More likely a false prophet, the type that we are warned about more than twenty times.
Don’t anybody say they didn’t see this one coming. Cowan seems to have decided to be the frontrunner now and to relieve Ingham of the onerous duty. Meanwhile the diocese of Quebec is on the skids, Chapman and bird are clamering along their way heaving wreckage and destruction on the ACoC……..They have all failed as leaders, as bishops and as christians. Now the dioceses, one by one will start to slide into the abyss. Where is moxley in all this. When does she take Nova Scotia down the slippery slope?