"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Paul to the persecuted at Philippi (2:5-11)

21 October 2012

How Did I Miss This News?

Archbishop authrorizes a Theological Task Force on Holy Orders Archbishop Duncan has appointed the Rt. Rev. David Hicks, Bishop of the REC Diocese of the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic to lead a Theological Task Force on Holy Orders. The Task Force will lead the College of Bishops through a thorough study regarding the ordination of women to Holy Orders.

The rest of the article is here.

This looks to be fairly new, judging from its placement on the Province's website, but I've not seen any discussion of it in the church media. Probably because the South Carolina situation rightly takes the spotlight.

Some of you may know that Forward in Faith North America recently called for a moritorium on women's ordination to the priesthood. I found the request sad on two fronts... the first is that it didn't come from ordained women, who should have an interest (see earlier posts) in the integrity of our orders and the consciences of our brothers who can't accept us (even deacons, my friends, even women deacons are not universally accepted) and second because of all the women whose process would be adversely affected by a moritorium. Nobody wants to see anyone hurt further. The damage has already been more than enough.

Nonetheless, I fully supported FiFNA's request, moritorum aside, its the right thing to do. Its the necessary thing, for the sake of the church and all who are in ministry together. And so I'm encouraged by this news.

I'm encouraged that Archbishop Duncan has placed an REC bishop in leadership in this group. The REC, you may be aware is not a body which ordains women as deacons or priests. Most folks would trust that Archbishop Duncan would place someone in charge of this committee who is favorable to women's ordination to the priesthood, and so I suspect that and REC bishop approved by Archbishop Duncan is about the closest you can get to someone who will give a balanced ear to the Scripture and the Tradition of the Church in this regard.

I'm encouraged that a request has been made for women to serve on this committee. (Anyone want to convince them that I need this job???) Women need to be represented for the results of the study to be credible to the pro-women's priesthood segment of the church.

I'm encouraged that we seem to be ready to take the risks required for deeper unity and community, while maintaining respect for varied opinions on the subject, at least while the theology is sorted out.

Hopefully, we'll read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the work of Bishop John Rodgers and the AMiA on the subject, but also pray and exegete and think for ourselves, under the guidance of the Spirit. I don't know what the answers will be, but I'm so glad we're no longer fearing to ask the question!

7 comments:

  1. Yo, Deacon, please excuse my naivety and general ignorance and specific ignorance of church history, buuuuut ... weren't all of these issues trampled over many times before the first female person dared to put her big toe into these holy and wholly masculine waters? Isn't this a very nice Machiavellian stroke to start this all over again so that all the women who are ordained at any level and all who are "in the pipe line" can be crushed to the point that they will never again raise their heads to speak of the unspeakable - women's ordination - again? Of course, the timing is perfect. The ACNA is still setting it's course and, best of all, we have the example of Schori to show us what happens if you let women ...

    PM follows. So there!

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  2. I will gladly nominate you to serve to the Archbishop. Send me an email off blog

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  3. Dear Brethren, i think The Espiscopal Church has many issues. The usual 'secular humanism'. Post-Counterculture dismantling of Western Piety. Even though The East is now heir to The Reformation. Showing now that such piety knows no hemisphere. Yet i say, Pontiff Schori may have originally been Catholic. Of course mentioning her womanhood. You may be keen to this once understood taintedness of the Catholic soul. At its advanced stage comes the general understanding that they are marked by the beast... An occult baptism by Satan. Either--or; there are many 'recovering' (Roman) Catholics in the Episcopal pews. That are degenerating the faith. Not to mention the historical and spiritual conflict with the 'anglo-Catholics'.

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  4. My analysis by God is correct. I just looked it up. They of course bring the spiritual dilemma of themselves and the complex they have for their actual spiritual church. And it appears that when one gets in a so-called prominent position they exercise all the animosity they have. I know this is a generalization and not a common notion. However, such fits the absurdity of tempting Protestants--of your denomination and others--based on the ideal that Catholics are the traditional alternative. Because the Counterculture which mainly effected Protestant societies, did not have the same impact in Catholic ones. You know the libertarian versus authoritarian contrast: License or tyranny against liberty in Christ. In ending you have become popularly naive, and have fell bait to Rome. There will be agents of Rome that you will have to confront... As you have before. Why would you think it has changed? The answer: postmoderm Western society.

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  5. Hello, Mr. Mcgranor. I'm always glad to have varied opinions in comments, but please be aware that disrespect toward any group of people, particularly our Christian brothers and sisters will not be allowed and such comments will be summarily removed without further warning.

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  7. Thank you for your consideration. I find slight hope in the more conservative ventures; such as your orginization. Although i do not believe it truly understands the spiritual and social implications of why reactionary movements are a necessity. And not that one didn't just come from defying the imaginations of the postmodern individual. History, tradition and reason is firm in the standing of Christ. I know the vast majority--are spiritually blinded.

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