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PORT ELIZABETH, SA: Two Priests Condemn Invitation of US Episcopal Lesbian Priest to Lecture in SA
July 23, 2014.
His Grace, the Archbishop of Cape Town,
Bishopscourt.
Your Grace,
The clergy of the diocese of Port Elizabeth have been sent an invitation to the College of the Transfiguration for Transfiguration week where the Revd Dr Ruthanna Hooke, Associate Professor of Homiletics and Deputy Dean of Chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary in the United States will be a special guest. This particular ‘special guest’ will be teaching a ‘master class’ on homiletics and also presiding and preaching at a Eucharistic celebration.
Is it now the policy of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa to entertain what can only be described from a classical Anglican perspective as a “false teacher” ? From her bio easily available on the web we understand that Dr Hooke has been in an openly lesbian relationship for several years, openly promoting homosexual behaviour, and a ‘gender ideology’ that can only be described as Gnostic.
Ms Hooke according to her bio published on the VTS website, believes in the “importance of engaging and training the preacher’s body and voice so as to foster a fuller embodiment of the Word proclaimed” in other words a sacramental understanding of preaching. What sacrament or sign does she embody If she is in an active homosexual relationship she truly is a sign according to St Paul. She is embodying an idolatrous sign, lesbianism is the sacrament of pagan idolatry (even Alain de Benoist the self identifying pagan philosopher agrees with what is a mainstream Christian belief). What blasphemy is being permitted to take place in the sanctuary of our provincial theological college?
The Russian Orthodox Church regards homosexual behaviour as such a serious and defiling blasphemy against God that in the last case that a priest officiated at a same sex ‘marriage’ , he was defrocked and the church razed to the ground.
It is our understanding that according to our canons and constitution, no clergy person in an active same-sex relationship would be permitted to perform sacramental duties. Why is this particular person given exemption from our discipline? Why is she given the exalted status of guest teacher and celebrant at such an important occasion at the flagship Provincial institution of learning? Surely this carries with it official approval by the Bishops of our church, validating the integrity and soundness of this particular ‘teacher’. What message is being conveyed to our leaders-in-training at the college?
We the undersigned are also diocesan signatories of the Jerusalem Declaration, as are many of our parishes. In that statement there is inter-alia the solemn declaration that, We reject the authority of those churches and leaders who have denied the orthodox faith in word and deed. We pray for them and call on them to repent and return to the Lord.
Paul makes it clear in 1 and 2 Timothy that there is a body of core doctrine which is considered as ‘healthy doctrine’, the foundation of the orthodox faith, the deposit of apostolic teaching. Usually what are called issues of the first order are salvation issues. In other words if they are denied, it would lead a person to be eternally lost. So for example the denial of Christ’s deity, or his atoning work on the cross, or the doctrine of sanctification, could all be regarded as first order issues.
We have in recent decades seen whole provinces in the Anglican Communion, among others the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, in which doctrines of the first order have been denied – for example the uniqueness of Christ, Christ as the only way of salvation, denial of the clear teaching of scripture that marriage is the only place for sexual intimacy, and denial that those who disobey scriptural injunctions (EG. Ephesians 5:5) will not be saved. The above declaration means that we do not accept the validity of their ministry nor do we recognize their authority to teach.
Furthermore as long as persons from jurisdictions such as The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada are allowed to speak and exercise teaching ministries at our provincial college we will no longer extend any support to the college, especially financial. We will in addition advocate for the Diocese of Port Elizabeth to withhold that part of our provincial assessment that is apportioned to the college.
Signed:
Revd Dave Doveton, Rector, Parishes of St Barnabas and St Philip
The Very Revd Dudley Greenshields (Dean)
Cc : The Bishop of Port Elizabeth
