February 27, 2010

Mainline Status Report on Gay Clergy

We often speak of mainline (Protestant) churches in the U.S. It is not always clear what churches are being referred to, how big those churches are, or just where they stand on particular issues.

The AP published a helpful story today that appeared in a number of newspapers on where mainline churches stand on gay clergy. The Episcopal Church isn’t exactly out front, but there certainly does seem to be a trend of which our church is a part. Read “Largest US Protestant churches on gay clergy” for more information.

3 comments:

  1. Hi, Lionel!...

    As you know, I am a Portuguese, so excuse me some English mistakes!...
    I am also a philosopher with a minor on Religion. So I love to discuss these subjects with open minded people as you!...

    Generally in the US, Mainly (or liturgical) Protestants are considered on the liberal side of Christianity. TEC is already in this group. Gay clergy and marriage is not a surprise!... But the problem is why is the press giving lots of attention to TEC events concerning this subject and they don't give the same to Church of Sweden, 10x larger than TEC or including Evangelical Lutheran Church in USA, 3x larger than TEC?...
    Well, in my humble opinion it is because the Anglican Churches like TEC are the most similar to Roman Catholic Church concerning theology, liturgy, appearence, and practice of the church like Eucharist Reservation in aumbries, tabernacles or on any other form!... So, Anglican Churches are the most acceptable protestant churches to the usual pew atherents and including Priests of the RCC!!!... Anglicans primarly broke with the ministry of the Pope, not with tradition or faith!!!...
    Of corse there are several hundred of small Independent Catholic Churches, but if we joined them we would have built a group smaller than TEC, with 300+ Bishops per diocese!!!... Impossible!!!... So they are no problem to RCC... But TEC is!... Specially if they become more liturgical (ACNA is more Evangelical, despite ++Bob Duncan and some friends are seen as Anglo-Catholics) and they replace PB 'Kate' Schori with a progressive and inclusive Anglo-Catholic Bishop next years, probably outside the traditional Anglican Communion!!!... I suspect they won't become "Ecologic Christians" as PB Schori sometimes seen to be!!!... Fr. Alberto CutiƩ from Miami would probably be a good choice if he remains as a Deacon and will be Priest and after Bishop of TEC!!!... Let's see!!!...

    Excuse me to be too long and probably not so political correct!!!... But well it is democracy!...
    Congratulations to your blog!...
    Good Evening!...

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  2. The information on the Presbyterian Church (USA) doesn't tell the whole story -- largely because Presbyterian polity is even more convoluted than Episcopal polity on some matters. There currently appears to be de facto local option by presbyteries on gay ordination because a 2006 General Assembly adopted an "authoritative interpretation" that permits candidates for ordination to attempt to adopt a "scruple" on matters that are not considered "essential" to the faith. There has yet to be a definitive high church court ruling on how that applies to same-sex partnerships, but late last year the high court declared -- without directly addressing that issue -- that a presbytery did not err when it approved the call of a partnered gay woman. Here's a link to a story about it:
    http://tinyurl.com/ycdsv4k

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  3. Mainline Status Report on Gay Clergy
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