Church of England apologizes for saying only married straight people should have sex

From Christian Post-

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York
John Sentamu have apologized for a decree issued by the Church of England which said that only heterosexual married couples should have sex and that sex in gay or straight civil partnerships “falls short of God’s purpose for human beings.”

“We as Archbishops, alongside the bishops of the Church of England, apologize and take responsibility for releasing a statement last week which we acknowledge has jeopardised trust,” the archbishops said in a statement, according to Belfast Telegraph. “We are very sorry and recognize the division and hurt this has caused.”

The House of Bishops of the Church of England last week issued a pastoral guidance, which said, “For Christians, marriage — that is, the lifelong union between a man and a woman, contracted with the making of vows — remains the proper context for sexual activity.”

More here-

https://www.christianpost.com/news/church-of-england-apologizes-for-saying-only-married-straight-people-should-have-sex.html

CoE Archbishops: Sorry for saying sex is only for married heterosexuals

From Episcopal Cafe-

Thursday evening, Archbishops Welby and Sentamu issued an apology of sorts for the timing of the recent statement on sex outside heterosexual marriage. That statement, however, was not withdrawn. The timing has drawn criticism because it came during a review of the C of E’s position on sexuality – a review forced upon Welby by General Synod against a similar statement.

The Church Times reports:

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have apologised for the release of last week’s pastoral statement on civil partnerships, acknowledging that it “jeopardised trust”. The statement will not be withdrawn, however, after the College of Bishops voted against a proposal to do so. Issued on Thursday evening, at the end of a two-day meeting of the College, the Archbishops’ statement recognised “the division and hurt” the statement had caused.

More here-

https://www.episcopalcafe.com/coe-archbishops-sorry-for-saying-sex-is-only-for-married-heterosexuals/?fbclid=IwAR2AVaC7nZ40uSbr5C5ph2lEmcG14to9PZuELMCXeo4a-UfuznMmbgVnDuY 

and here-

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/church-of-england-apologizes-for-saying-sex-only-for-heterosexual-married-couples

Hallelujah: New Zealand Anglicans can have sex outside of marriage

From New Zealand-

God has looked favourably upon New Zealand Anglicans this week with confirmation that sex outside of marriage, while not actively encouraged, is not cause for condemnation. This comes days after the Church of England (the mother church of the international Anglican Communion) released pastoral guidance stating that “sexual relationships outside heterosexual marriage are regarded as falling short of God’s purposes for human beings.”

The five-page statement laid out the Church of England’s stance on sex outside of marriage as well as civil relationships, both same sex and opposite sex. On whether or not the church would allow priests to preside over and bless civil relationships (of any kind), “the House of Bishops affirms that clergy of the Church of England should not provide services of blessing for those who register a civil partnership.”

More here-

https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/29-01-2020/hallelujah-new-zealand-anglicans-can-have-sex-outside-of-marriage/

Young Life Voted Off Campus at Duke

From Christianity Today-

Duke University’s student government has denied the Christian organization Young Life official status as a student group on campus, citing its policy on sexuality.

The decision by the Duke Student Government Senate on Wednesday comes amid ongoing clashes nationwide between religious student groups and colleges and universities that have added more robust nondiscrimination policies.

Young Life, like many evangelical groups, regards same-sex relations as sinful. Its policy forbids non-celibate LGBTQ staff and volunteers from holding positions in the organization.

More here-

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/september/duke-university-young-life-voted-off-campus.html

Christian ‘Purity’ Guru’s Loss of Faith May Signal a Coming Reckoning For Conservative Christianity

From Rewire-

Joshua Harris, who literally wrote the book on Christian purity in the 1990s, announced in July on Instagram that he and his wife, Shannon, were separating after more than 20 years of marriage. Less than two weeks later, the author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye (IKDG) dropped a second bombshell—he no longer identifies as a Christian.

“I have undergone a massive shift in regard to my faith in Jesus,” Harris wrote beside a picture of him looking out over lake in the mountains. “The popular phrase for this is ‘deconstruction,’ the biblical phrase is ‘falling away.’ By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian.”

Though he has not revealed the forces that led to the simultaneous unraveling of his marriage and his religious identity, it seems like it was questioning his previous stance on sexuality and gender issues that played a part in the latter. Harris paired his second announcement with an apology for contributing to a “culture of exclusion” with his previous views on women in the church and his opposition to marriage equality. The “deconstruction” of Harris’s faith not only seems intertwined with his change of heart on matters of gender equality and sexuality, but it could be an indication that evangelical churches in the United States will soon have to wrestle more fully with these issues as well.

More here-

https://rewire.news/religion-dispatches/2019/08/05/christian-purity-gurus-loss-of-faith-may-signal-a-coming-reckoning-for-conservative-christianity/

Another congregation leaves Scottish Episcopal Church

From Premier-

A church in Glasgow has decided to leave the Scottish Episcopal Church following concerns that it has become too liberal.  

Members of St Silas Church took a vote after a process of consultation and prayer.

86 per cent were in favour of leaving the denomination.

The Scottish Episcopal Church recently changed the law to allow same sex marriages to take place in its buildings.

In a statement, St Silas said: "Recent decisions of the Scottish Episcopal Church have made clear to us that the denomination does not regard the Bible as the authoritative word of God. 

"With deep sadness, we have therefore decided that for reasons of integrity we can no longer continue as part of the Scottish Episcopal Church."

In response The Most Rev Mark Strange, Interim Bishop of Glasgow & Galloway said: "Following meetings and conversations with the people of St Silas they have now decided to separate from the Scottish Episcopal Church to fulfil their mission as they understand it to be.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Another-congregation-leaves-Scottish-Episcopal-Church

In the LGBTQ community, faith brings comfort and pain. Six Pittsburghers reflect on feeling rejected for who they are.

From Pittsburgh-

While many Americans see religious communities as places of comfort and hope, many of those same communities have been openly hostile to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer [LGBTQ]* people. Not only have they labeled LGBTQ people as “sinners,” but they’ve also opposed measures like same-sex marriage.

In recent years, some of these long-standing tensions have shifted. Over the past decade, Americans with a religious affiliation have increasingly supported same-sex marriage. According to the Public Religion Research Institute, support by religious Americans for legal protections for LGBTQ people has also grown. PublicSource recently explored faith communities that have openly welcomed LGBTQ members.

Yet a large majority of LGBTQ adults viewed mainline religions as “unfriendly" toward people who are LGBTQ, according to a 2013 survey from the Pew Research Center. 

To explore the impacts of rejection on members of the LGBTQ community, PublicSource is telling the stories of six people who’ve felt mistreated by religious individuals and institutions.

More here-

https://www.publicsource.org/lgbt-religion-comforting-harmful-rejection-pittsburgh/

Gafcon calls alternative conference of worldwide Anglican bishops

From Christian Today-

The global network emerging as an alternative to the Anglican Communion has called a conference open to all orthodox bishops around the world.

In a new statement today, Gafcon (the Global Anglican Futures Conference) announced the gathering, which will be held next June – just a few weeks before the Archbishop of Canterbury's own Lambeth Conference of worldwide bishops.

The declaration also indicates that the organisation is moving towards a traditionalist position on episcopal ministry by being inclined towards reserving the role of bishop for men.

In relation to Justin Welby's Lambeth Conference, the communique, from Gafcon's Council of Primates, says: "We have no interest in attempting to rival Lambeth 2020.

"On the other hand, we do not want our bishops to be deprived of faithful fellowship while we wait for order in the Communion to be restored.

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/gafcon-calls-alternative-conference-of-worldwide-anglican-bishops/132367.htm

The unfolding Anglican earthquake: a way through?

From Christian Today-

Can Anglicans ever compromise on the vexed issue of sexuality? And if not, is there now a possible way forward?

Many still hope for some kind of compromise. After all, Christians of various denominations disagree amicably on many other things – such as re-marriage of divorcees in church, or whether to baptise children, for example.

But that's probably wishful thinking. That's because the issue of sexuality is different from many others on which Christians have varying practices. Nobody believes, for example, that baptism is a 'bad thing' or that divorce is in and of itself a 'good thing'. The range of practice in relation to each issue does not reflect underlying differences on the rights or wrongs of the thing under discussion itself. For all Christians, baptism is a matter for rejoicing, whereas divorce is sad.

With sexuality, it's different. One part of Anglicanism believes non-celibate same-sex relationships should be celebrated. Another part – by far the majority – believes there is a better story for Christians to tell, and that it doesn't involve jettisoning 2,000-year old beliefs about the uniqueness of male-female marriage and chastity outside that. For each side, compromise is impossible.

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/the-unfolding-anglican-earthquake-a-way-through/130454.htm

American Anglican Episcopal Church Bishop now headed to the Bahamas had decided to bless same-sex marriages? Is he now invited to share his views in the Bahamian Church?

From The Bahamas-

In January 2016, Primates in the Anglican Communion gathered at Canterbury Cathedral, mother church of the global Anglican Communion, at the invitation of the Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury. It was the first such meeting attended by Curry as presiding bishop.
Human sexuality and the Episcopal Church’s July 2015 approval of same-sex marriage rites were prominent topics of discussion.

The primates in attendance unanimously resolved to walk together before a majority of Anglican primates also publicly sanctioned the Episcopal Church, for a period of three years, demanding that it “no longer represent us on ecumenical and interfaith bodies, should not be appointed or elected to an internal standing committee and that while participating in the internal bodies of the Anglican Communion, they will not take part in decision making on any issues pertaining to doctrine or polity.”

In the aftermath of the sanctions, Curry maintained his public support for same-sex marriage stating:
“Our commitment to be an inclusive church is not based on a social theory or capitulation to the ways of the culture, but on our belief that the outstretched arms of Jesus on the cross are a sign of the very love of God reaching out to us all. While I understand that many disagree with us, our decision regarding marriage is based on the belief that the words of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians are true for the church today: All who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, for all are one in Christ. For so many who are committed to following Jesus in the way of love and being a church that lives that love, this decision will bring real pain. For fellow disciples of Jesus in our church who are gay or lesbian, this will bring more pain. For many who have felt and been rejected by the church because of who they are, for many who have felt and been rejected by families and communities, our church opening itself in love was a sign of hope. And this will add pain on top of pain.”

More here-

http://bahamaspress.com/2018/07/22/american-anglican-episcopal-church-bishop-now-headed-to-the-bahamas-had-decided-to-bless-same-sex-marriages-is-he-now-invited-to-share-his-views-in-the-bahamian-church/

Pennsylvania bishops sign letter critiquing transgender movement

From Pennsylvania-

Three Pennsylvania bishops — one Eastern Orthodox and two Roman Catholic — have signed a letter expressing compassion for transgender individuals but criticizing “gender ideology.”

The Pennsylvania signatories to “Created Male and Female” were Scranton Bishop Joseph C. Bambera and Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, as well as Pittsburgh Archbishop Melchisedek (Pleska) of the Orthodox Church in America.

They were among 20 U.S. religious leaders to sign the statement, representing Lutheran, Presbyterian, Anglican, Southern Baptist, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and historically black churches. Signatories also included a Muslim representative and an elder from the Bruderhof community.

The letter, posted on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' website, critiques the transgender movement in light of Scripture and traditional religious teachings on human sexuality.

More here-

http://triblive.com/state/pennsylvania/13092567-74/pennsylvania-bishops-sign-letter-critiquing-transgender-movement

U. S. Episcopalians and African Anglicans Explore What the Bible Says About Sexuality

From The Chicago Consultation-

“On Sexuality and Scripture” includes scholarly essays, Bible studies and personal reflections

In 2011, at the height of divisions in the Anglican Communion over same-sex relationships, a group of Anglicans from Africa and Episcopalians from the United States gathered in Durban, South Africa to read and discuss the Bible together.

Called together by the Chicago Consultation and the Ujamaa Centre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, most shared a conviction that the sacred Scriptures of the Christian faith were being misused as cudgels by church leaders and politicians who sought to criminalize same-sex relationships and exclude lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people from fully participating in the life of the church.

From that meeting, and subsequent gatherings in Limuru, Kenya in 2013 and Elmina, Ghana in 2015 comes “On Sexuality and Scripture,” a book from Church Publishing Incorporated that challenges narrow, punitive readings of Scripture and makes the case that LGBTI people are beloved children of God who desire they be loved, honored and respected.

More here-

http://www.chicagoconsultation.org/?p=257

Anglican divide: GAFCON accuses Justin Welby of attributing blame to the wrong people Mon 09 Oct 2017

From Premier-

GAFCON, a worldwide group of conservative Anglicans, has told Premier that the Archbishop of Canterbury's call for repentance for missionary bishops is "disappointing".

The group - which created a missionary bishop to cater for disaffected Anglicans in Scotland, England and across Europe who are unhappy with the church's teaching on issues such as sexuality - made comments following Most Rev Justin Welby's criticism of the body at the recent Primates' Meeting on Friday.

Archbishop Peter Jensen, GAFCON's general secretary told Premier that Archbishop Justin was appointing blame to the wrong people.

Speaking about the teaching and practice surrounding sexuality, Archbishop Peter said: "The Communique seems deliberately to step around the real problem and then offer blame to the people who are really in a sense the victims.

"By putting so much emphasis on blaming people who are so-called crossing boundaries, but avoiding the real issue which is the flagrant breach of the teaching of the word of God by a number of the Anglican churches around the world."

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Anglican-divide-GAFCON-accuses-Justin-Welby-of-attributing-blame-to-the-wrong-people

Anglican Bishop Backing Decriminalization of Buggery in Jamaica

From Jamaica-

The Head of the Anglican Church in Jamaica and The Cayman Islands is suggesting that the Andrew Holness government should not bother with a promised referendum on quashing the buggery law, and should instead just strike down the law.

Bishop Howard Gregory outlined his personal position in a written submission to a parliamentary committee examining the Sexual Offences Act and related laws.

“Sexual activity engaged in public spaces is illegal and should continue to be so, whether of and heterosexual or homosexual nature. Beyond that, what happens in privacy between consenting adults should be beyond the purview of the Government,” he wrote.

Read more:

http://www.caribbean360.com/news/anglican-bishop-jamaica-backs-decriminalization-buggery#ixzz4nw3tvAR6

Latest report from Theological Forum published

From Scotland- (with link to the report)-

The Theological Forum has published its latest report on 'An approach to the theology of same-sex marriage.' The report will be considered by Commissioners to the General Assembly in Edinburgh next month.

The document has found its way into the public domain ahead of schedule, before all the General Assembly reports are published in the Blue Book on Thursday.

In light of the report appearing in the national press, the Principal Clerk has authorised its immediate publication to allow Commissioners, members of the church and members of the public to understand fully the content and context.

The General Assembly is being asked to consider two key issues.

More here-

http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/recent/Latest_report_from_Theological_Forum_published

The religious reasons Mike Pence won’t eat alone with women don’t add up

From The Washington Post-

A story about Billy Graham goes something like this: In 1949 or 1950, after one of his famous evangelistic meetings, Graham returned to his hotel room to find a naked woman lying on his bed, ready to seduce him in an attempt to destroy his ministry. Graham, cautious and humble as usual, fled the hotel room and immediately implemented a rule that would come to bear his name: From that day forward, Graham would not travel (including by car), eat or meet alone with a woman other than his wife, Ruth.

The Billy Graham Rule was soon adopted by evangelical pastors and business executives. Men in positions of influence wanted to “flee from sexual immorality” and be “above reproach” (both biblical commands), as well as abstain from “every appearance of evil.” Aware of how many Christian leaders have been felled by sexual immorality, many of these men were taking sincere steps to guard their marriages from infidelity and their hearts from lust.

More here-

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/03/30/the-religious-reasons-mike-pence-wont-eat-alone-with-women-dont-add-up/?tid=ss_fb&utm_term=.04d174ca4710

'Neo-Pagan Sexual Morality' Spreading Throughout Church, Warns Conservative Archbishop

From Christian Today-

An influential conservative archbishop is warning 'neo-pagan sexual morality' in the Church of England is at risk of spreading throughout the global Anglican Communion.

Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, head of the traditionalist GAFCON grouping, describes increasing calls for the Church to soften its stance against gay relationships as 'distressing'. He says the 'confusion' over the issue is 'now at greater risk of being spread' throughout the global Anglican Communion.

An influential conservative archbishop is warning 'neo-pagan sexual morality' in the Church of England is at risk of spreading throughout the global Anglican Communion.

Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, head of the traditionalist GAFCON grouping, describes increasing calls for the Church to soften its stance against gay relationships as 'distressing'. He says the 'confusion' over the issue is 'now at greater risk of being spread' throughout the global Anglican Communion.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/neo.pagan.sexual.morality.spreading.throughout.church.warns.conservative.archbishop/105458.htm

English bishops call for ‘fresh tone’ to sexuality debate

From ACNS-

The bishops of the Church of England have ruled out any change to the Church’s doctrine on marriage and sexuality; while calling for a “fresh tone” in the way the issue is handled. In a report on behalf of the House of Bishops published today (Friday) ahead of next month’s meeting of the General Synod, the Bishop of Norwich, Graham James, said that Anglicanism has always been “a contested tradition” where different views are held together; and he suggests that that this approach should be extended to sexuality. The bishops propose that existing law and guidance should be interpreted with “maximum freedom” without changes to the law, or the doctrine of the Church.

The report will be discussed by General Synod members in small groups on Wednesday 15 February; ahead of a plenary “Take Note” debate.

More here-

http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2017/01/27/english-bishops-call-for-fresh-tone-to-sexuality-debate/

Agenda published for C of E General Synod meeting

From ACNS-

 Ecumenism, the Anglican Communion, and legislation will dominate next month’s meeting of the Church of England’s general synod; but it is a “take-note” debate on human sexuality that is likely to dominate the headlines. On ecumenism, the Synod will consider the first draft of new legislation designed to simplify the way the C of E relates to other churches; and will also debate a motion on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The secretary general of the Anglican Communion, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon will address the Synod. And the House of Bishops will report back on their deliberations on human sexuality.

The Bishops of Norwich and Willesden, Graham James and Pete Broadbent, will report to the Synod on the work of the Bishops’ Reflection Group on Sexuality – that group was established last year following the completion of a process of shared conversations throughout the C of E. Synod members will then take part in group discussions before a debate on a motion that “the Synod do take note of [a] Report” from the House of Bishops. That report has not yet been published.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2017/01/agenda-published-for-c-of-e-general-synod-meeting.aspx

Fighting for faith

From Oklahoma-

Several University of Oklahoma students who walk into St. Anselm of Canterbury feel they can’t go anywhere else.

The church is a place they can pursue spiritual fulfillment and Christian fellowship without having to hide their sexuality from the congregation.

Even amidst growing public acceptance and support for the LGBTQ community, it can still be an issue in one of the few places people feel they can truly open their souls: the church.

“I definitely, to this day, feel the tension between the person I expected myself to be and the person I am,” said “Amanda,” an OU junior and Canterbury attendee. “It was especially difficult when I felt a lot of fear.”

More here-

http://www.theadanews.com/news/local_news/fighting-for-faith/article_22699e3e-1bd7-5637-8486-d9034aae2e1f.html