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BENNISON Ousted...Duncan Threatened by Schori...TEC Declines in Numbers...more

No other Saviour. Because in no other person but the historic Jesus of Nazareth has God become man and lived a human life on earth, died to bear the penalty of our sins, and been raised from death and exalted to glory, there is no other Saviour, for there is no other person who is qualified to save -- From "The Authentic Jesus" John R. W. Stott

If the uniqueness of Christianity is the uniqueness of Christ, wherein does his uniqueness lie? Historically speaking, it is found in his birth, death and resurrection. As for his birth, he was 'conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary', and therefore is both God and man. As for his death, he died for our sins, in our place, to secure our salvation. As for his resurrection, he thereby conquered death and possesses universal authority. Or, to express these historical events theologically, the uniqueness of Jesus lies in the incarnation, the atonement and the exaltation. Each is unparalleled. -- From "The Authentic Jesus" (London: Marshalls; Downers Grove, IVP, 1985), p. 73.

If and when world Christianity comes to be dominated by the churches of the global South, those churches too may come to equate their cultural ways with the Gospel. If that happens, then those churches will have made the same mistake the church in the 4th century made when it identified the Gospel with the Roman Empire and created the first "Christendom." If and when that day comes, a line from the opera "Porgy and Bess" might commend itself to liberal and conservative, northern and southern Christians alike; in the words of Sportin' Life: "It Ain't Necessarily So." --- Dr. Gene Davenport is a professor of religion and chairman of the religion department at Lambuth University in Jackson TN.

Dear Brothers and Sisters
www.virtueonline.org
11/2/2007

It was a week which saw a revisionist Episcopal bishop, one Charles E. Bennison of Pennsylvania, inhibited by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori who then turned around and threatened Bob Duncan, the orthodox Bishop of Pittsburgh, with presentments and worse if he or any other orthodox bishop should attempt to take their dioceses out of The Episcopal Church. The Presiding Bishop said she was "reaching out" to bishops lilke Duncan who are attempting to withdraw dioceses, but reaching out implies outreach, which implies compassion, caring, etc. Threats are not normally associated with "reaching out." We are reaching new levels of public acrimony as never before seen. Things being said in the back rooms on both sides are now being made public for all to see. The long knives are out. The purging of the orthodox from The Episcopal Church has now begun in earnest.

The Episcopal Church has become like the lyrics from the Eagles song, Hotel California, "you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave."

Mrs. Jefferts Schori's "open arms" for those bishops contemplating realignments for their dioceses are arms made of iron. Once embraced, you conform or die. You can read the full report of this in today's digest.

It was the best Halloween 'trick or treat' treat for the Diocese of Pennsylvania. The inhibition of Charles Bennison, the final step before he is tossed out by trial, was sweet music to everyone's ears. The presentment also charges Bennison with concealing evidence. This is the same charge brought by Fr. Moyer in his complaint against the Anglo-Catholic priest. That case will continue. Almost from the beginning the orthodox hated him and most of them feared him, only Fr. David Moyer and Fr. Eddy Rix of All Saints' resisted him. Over time, his liberal base of supporters evaporated faster than smoke out of a chimney. At the end of his decade of ignominy and shame, the liberals despised him even more than conservatives and wanted him gone. The final straw was not the Camp Wapiti fiasco, wherein millions of dollars were squandered, nor his crazy theological utterances, a virtual Spongian smorgasbord It was that Bennison failed to stop his brother, John Bennison now a deposed priest, from seducing a 14-year old girl while Charles watched. The presentment says Charles Bennison reacted "passively and self-protectively," while his married brother did the dirty deed. "The bishop is accused of not taking any steps to end the affair, not providing proper pastoral care to the girl, not investigating whether she needed medical care, taking three years to notify the girl's parents, not reporting his brother to anyone, not investigating whether his brother was sexually involved with any other parishioners or other children, and seeking no advice on how to proceed." There is irony in the fact that recently Barbara Alton, Bennison's assistant was busy deleting the sex stuff from Wikipedia claiming that Mrs. Schori made her do it!

And that's only the half of it. . VOL has been going after Bennison for more than a decade exposing his venality and idiocy. This reporter was repeatedly and roundly vilified by diocesan liberals, and not a few conservatives on the Concerned Pennsylvania Episcopalians (CPE) list, for exposing Bennison's financial shenanigans. VOL feels soundly vindicated by the national church's ability to see through this man and dump him. Hopefully he will go into the same oblivion as Jo Mo Doss, the equally worthless former bishop of New Jersey. You can read my extensive expose of this man's horrible reign in today's digest or click here

On the front page of the Philadelphia INQUIRER there is a picture of Bennison with the words "Judgment Day" over it. Underneath Bennison are two other pictures featuring a murderer and a thief. Bennison seems to have found himself in appropriate company. In the Diocesan website there is irony galore. Bennison writes a column appropriately titled "An Open Door and Many Adversaries: Thoughts on the Eve of Convention." He made his own adversaries starting with the orthodox and then on to his liberal power base. After that it was downhill. In the news section of the website there is irony galore. There is a story of Bennison's inhibition and then his column on the "last supper" of the Muslim Feast of Ramadan which he hosted at the cathedral and then he writes in his monthly column "Most nights, I read travel literature - Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Travel, Departures, the New York Times' 'Escape; section, the Wall Street Journal's 'Pursuits' section. It gets me dreaming of exotic places, imaginary journeys, and fantastic adventures, and puts me to sleep."

Bennison will have a lot of time to travel now that he is gone. Perhaps when he is in Cabo San Lucas, or, heaven forbid, a monastery, he can take a 1928 Prayer Book, read it and rediscover the faith he long ago abandoned.

The Grand Inhibitor, who for so long has been so uninhibited, but who inhibited others, has himself been inhibited. Perhaps it's time to pop the champagne corks to signify not only the end of Ramadan but the end of Bennison.

*****

The Archbishop of Canterbury's letter to Central Florida Bishop, John W. Howe caused such worldwide outrage from liberals and pansexualists that Dr. Williams was forced to offer a clarification. A Lambeth Palace Statement read thus: "It should be understood that the Archbishop's response to Bishop Howe was neither a new policy statement nor a roadmap for the future but a plain response to a very urgent and particular question about clergy in traditionalist dioceses in TEC who want to leave TEC for other jurisdictions, a response reiterating a basic presupposition of what the Archbishop believes to be the theology of the Church.

The primary point was that - theologically and sacramentally speaking - a priest is related in the first place to his/her bishop directly, not through the structure of the national church; that structure serves the dioceses. The diocese is more than a 'local branch' of a national organization. Dr Williams is clear that, whatever the frustration with the national church, priests should think very carefully about leaving the fellowship of a diocese. The provincial structure is significant, not least for the administration of a uniform canon law and a range of practical functions; Dr Williams is not encouraging anyone to ignore this, simply to understand the theological priorities which have been articulated in a number of ecumenical agreements, and in the light of this not to increase the level of confusion and fragmentation in the church."

*****

BONNIE ANDERSON, president of the House of Deputies, said during brief introductory remarks to Executive Council in Dearborn, Michigan, recently that loyalist Episcopalians, in dioceses affiliated with the Anglican Communion Network, feel isolated and lack access to important information to help them plan for their future. "Every time that I'm in one of those places, I get a lot of questions, both public and private," she said. "I want Executive Council to be aware of the concerns of these people and to perhaps discuss responses to some of these. I don't know the answer myself to all of these."

Anderson focused on a visit she made to Ft. Worth, Texas, last month to attend a meeting organized by the local Via Media chapter. Using an overhead projector, she displayed a sampling of questions she has received during her visits. Many of the questions relate to how these persons will remain connected if their dioceses realize plans to disaffiliate from The Episcopal Church.

Anderson uses the word "loyalist" in an interesting manner. She is not asking for loyalty to the gospel or the faith once delivered, but to the institution, an institution so theologically and morally bankrupt that it is no longer truly Christian in any meaningful sense.

IN OTHER COUNCIL NEWS a $1.8 million deficit looms because revenues are down. The money will be trimmed from the 2008 budget when the national Executive Council meets in Quito, Ecuador, next February. The deficit, which includes up to $550,000 in additional expenses for staff reorganization, was discussed during meetings of Executive Council's Administration and Finance Committee. Council met Oct. 26-28 in Dearborn, Mich. The majority of the deficit is due to an updated forecast of revenue about 2 percent less than the $50.4 million approved in the budget by the 75th General Convention in 2006. The remainder is due to additional estimated expenses of $444,000 attributed to the Church Center staff reorganization.

*****

A rebuke of the HOB by the Executive Council for going beyond the bounds of the Constitution and Canons was heard this week. The EC was unhappy that Resolution B033, passed at the 75th General Convention, had "exacerbated feelings of exclusion felt by many of the lesbian and gay members of our church." It was resolved, that the Executive Council acknowledges with regret the additional pain and estrangement inflicted on lesbian and gay members of the church, and "we pledge to work toward a time when our church will fully respect the dignity of every human being in all aspects of the life of our church." There now, that should make you feel better. There was, of course, no resolution for orthodox Episcopalians who feel estranged from the overwhelmingly pro-gay, liberal dominated church that is trying to eliminate them from the Church.

*****

THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH has declined in absolute numbers. According to statistics presented by Kirk Hadaway, the Episcopal Church's director of research to the Executive Council, the church is losing 1,000 parishioners per week. Only one in three Episcopalians attends a parish church on a weekly basis. Membership in all 110 dioceses of the Episcopal Church totaled 2,320,506 in 2006, down 2.2%, or 51,502, from 2,372,008 in 2005. That's the equivalent of 1,000 Episcopalians walking away from the Episcopal Church each week. There is no indication it will turn around any time soon, if ever. You can read the full story in today's digest.

*****

IT'S OFFICIAL. The Very Rev. Mark Lawrence, pastor of St. Paul's Episcopal Parish, will be consecrated as the 14th bishop of South Carolina. A majority of bishops with jurisdiction and a majority of standing committees -- 56 out of 111 -- consented to the second election of Lawrence as bishop of South Carolina. The voting took place in August. He will oversee 70 missions and parishes and 30,000 diocesan parishioners. Lawrence got the necessary consents on a second run for the job to replace Bishop Ed Salmon. Presiding Bishop. Katharine Jefferts Schori has accepted an invitation to meet with the leadership of the diocese February 25-26, 2008. "This will give us an opportunity to state with clarity and charity the theological position of this Diocese in a manner similar to when we met with Most. Rev. Frank T. Griswold shortly after his Installation as Presiding Bishop" wrote the Rt. Rev. Edward L. Salmon Jr., Bishop of South Carolina. Also invited were The Rev. Haden McCormick, President of the Standing Committee and The Very Rev. Mark Lawrence, Bishop Elect.

*****

A canon, passed at the recent DIOCESE OF CONNECTICUT diocesan convention, has sinister overtones for orthodox parishes in that diocese. The canon creates a change to a canon that stipulated that a church has to be supporting the diocese (financially) in their mission etc. in order to be called a parish. Now it will be whatever is stipulated as the convention now requires a percentage of the program income. This gives the Diocese greater ease in taking over non-supporting parishes, mission churches. Said one orthodox priest; "Of course you know that this move will be very selective." Indeed we do.

*****

According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, the two front runners to be the next Bishop of the DIOCESE OF CHICAGO does not include lesbian priest Tracey Lind. A poll, taken by the Tribune in a walkabout, has revealed two out of state front-runners emerging from the pack of eight. Parishioners said it was the confidence and personal connection they felt when they met Revs. Jeffrey Lee and Petero Sabune. Lee is rector of St. Thomas Church in Medina, Washington, and Sabune is chaplain at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, N.Y., We'll know all on Nov. 10. The new bishop will succeed Bishop William Persell, who has led the diocese since 1999.

*****

NUMBERS WONKS. If you are looking for the Grace and St. Stephen audited report clearing Fr. Don Armstrong click here: http://www.graceandststephens.org/ This week, Armstrong was officially deposed by Bishop Robert O'Neill of the DIOCESE OF COLORADO. Armstrong was deposed as a priest in accordance with the sentence issued by the diocese's ecclesiastical court. It means Armstrong can no longer officiate in the Episcopal Church in the United States. In response, Armstrong said the Episcopal Church has no authority over him since he is now affiliated with the Convocation of Anglicans in North America. Armstrong has denied the allegations, and an independent forensic audit requested by his attorney found no wrongdoing by Armstrong or other Grace officials. "Father Armstrong plans to frame the instrument of defrocking and hang it in his office as a badge of honor," said Alan Crippen, a Grace CANA deacon and spokesman. "We don't take it seriously."

*****

The Canadian DIOCESE OF HURON will vote and approve same-sex blessings at their next decision-making meeting in the spring, the diocese's bishop the Rt. Rev. Bruce Howe believes. It's "highly likely" Anglicans in the Diocese of Huron, which includes churches in Waterloo, will vote in favor of such blessings. Howe said "My guess would be yes." However, the approval of the diocese's bishop is needed before the results of a vote at synod can take effect. So far, Ottawa and Montreal bishops are withholding their approval. The Diocese of New Westminster, in British Columbia, is the only diocese in Canada performing bishop-approved blessings for same-sex couples.

It's only a matter of time for the same-sex blessing issue to be raised at Huron's synod, said Rev. Richard Salt, rector of Trinity Church in Sarnia. Salt is a member of Anglican Essentials Canada, a group which advocates a traditional view of Scripture. "The debate isn't just about sexuality. Rather it's about how much emphasis the church gives to Scripture."

*****

ANGLICANS FOR LIFE have a chapter planned for the Washington, D.C. Area. St. Luke's Parish, Bladensburg, Maryland, is in the process of establishing an Anglicans for Life chapter in the Washington, D.C. area. Among other things, this chapter will support the Anglicans for Life petition drive asking Lambeth '08 to affirm that human life is a precious gift from God that should be protected from conception to natural death, and to encourage all Anglicans to oppose abortion and euthanasia. The petition can be accessed at: http://www.anglicansforlife.org/petition2/index.asp All those interested in becoming a member of or contributing to this Anglicans for Life chapter are asked to contact Gary Schenk at 301/474-5721, or St. Luke's at 301/927-6466

*****

At the recent FORWARD IN FAITH UK Assembly in England, delegates passed a resolution on The Episcopal Church. The FiF National Assembly, having heard Ft. Worth Bishop Jack Iker's Report, passed emergency Resolution on the Situation in The Episcopal Church: Resolution 2007/09. "This Assembly notes with concern that the actions of the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church consistently fail to match its words and assurances. The Assembly cannot agree with the Joint Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates' Meeting that the response to the Windsor Report and the Dar-es-Salaam communique was adequate or honorable." The motion was proposed by the Reverend Dr. Geoffrey Kirk and seconded by the Reverend Prebendary Sam Philpott.

*****

The DIOCESE OF FOND DU LAC held its diocesan convention recently with delegates being told by Bishop Russell E. Jacobus that "The first conviction we need to have is to renew our desire to increase our knowledge of God's Word and his will for us by studying and teaching scripture," In addition, Christians must be convinced to "preach the Good News of Jesus...not just preach a soft, simple sentiment of society" and that "prayer is both necessary and efficacious."

Along with the elections and regular business, four resolutions were adopted by the convention:

* to continue to allow individuals to restrict their giving from being included in the calculation of the diocese's pledge to the Episcopal Church;
* to encourage the development of an Anglican covenant;
* to ask the Episcopal Church to "provide meaningful pastoral support and oversight to the dissenting minority"; and
* to ask that "the National Church cease its participation in the litigation that is at present before the courts and any future such litigation of the type referenced in the Dar es Salaam Communique." The last three resolutions passed on votes by orders. The Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac is composed of more than 6,600 baptized members in 33 congregations and 2 summer chapels covering the northeast third of the state of Wisconsin.

*****

In the DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA we see more of the legacy of Bishop William Swing, he of the United Religious Initiatives fame. The Rev. James Tramel, a convicted murderer who became an Episcopal priest while in prison, has been suspended from his religious duties after an adult member of his congregation accused him of sexual misconduct. When I first read about this action, I never saw it said anywhere that this man had ever been converted. He wanted out of prison and chose the easiest way out - The Episcopal Church. He follows other such notable offenders as Matthew Fox and John Bennison, whose actions got his brother Charles inhibited from the episcopacy this week. Tramel, who was paroled from California State Prison, Solano, last year after serving more than half of his life behind bars, was rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in San Francisco. He is married and has an infant son.

*****

IN QUEENSBURY, New York, in the DIOCESE OF ALBANY a former Bible student pleaded guilty to burning down a Warren County church because, he said, the congregation did not follow the Bible. In his written confession, Caleb Lussier, 21, said he set fire to Christ Episcopal Church in Pottersville after first warning the congregation and taking items from the church. On May 30, 2006, he told police, he set the church on fire and stood back to watch it burn, later returning to take pictures. Lussier was originally charged with arson in the second degree and could have been sentenced to 25 years in prison, if convicted. Because he pleaded guilty to arson in the third degree, he will serve 14 years.

*****

WATCH for a change of direction in the PROVINCE OF SOUTHERN AFRICA. A VOL reader and priest in Cape Town says that the departure of Archbishop Ndungane is good news and his replacement is a major step in a new direction for this province bringing it more into alignment with the rest of Africa. This priest wrote, "Bishop Thabo Magoba, (soon to be archbishop) is sound in biblical faith and morals. He has not, to date, offered any public commentary on the gay issue. But he is 100% for evangelism. What will appear when he finally takes office remains to be seen. He has a deep concern for the poor which is as it should be, and I guess he will move carefully. He is a psychologist, so a good listener - and one orthodox lay person who met him on a plane recently said he is a quiet, thoughtful and caring man." This province has been in the financial back pocket of the Episcopal Church. It will be interesting to see if that continues under him.

*****

This past weekend The New York Times published journalist David D. Kirkpatrick's lengthy analysis of the political fatigue and disintegration of the conservative evangelical political movement in the U.S. Based on years of observation and recent interviews with prominent evangelicals, Kirkpatrick's analysis shows how traditional evangelical churches with politically active leaders have become increasingly intolerant of politics in the church. Part of this intolerance is fueled by the large reservoir of disillusionment with the Bush administration and the Republican government before the 2006 elections. One political pastor of a megachurch put it well when he said, "When you mix politics and religion, you get politics." http://tinyurl.com/2tt544

*****

In the DIOCESE OF WESTERN MICHIGAN there has been a leadership change at the Church of the Epiphany, South Haven, with the resignations of the rector, the Rev. Andrew Gross, and the assistant, the Rev. Summer Gross. The Grosses have embraced a theology which they believe is inconsistent with the doctrine and discipline of the Episcopal Church, and feel called to leave the Episcopal Church. Following their resignation, six members of the vestry also resigned effective immediately. With the dissolution of the vestry, the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Robert R. Gepert, becomes the rector. Church of the Epiphany's leadership team is committed to maintaining an Episcopal presence in South Haven, and Bishop Gepert is committed to providing the resources of the diocesan staff to support their ministry. The last liturgy was celebrated at Saint Michael's, Cascade, a quite affluent suburb of Grand Rapids. Part of the congregation is now attending Holy Cross in Kentwood, a few miles away, VOL was told. Both churches were started in the early '60s. This is what we call evangelization and church growth in the new religion. Exit more orthodox folk.

*****

31 October 1517 - 31 October 2007 is 490 years. It is exactly 490 years since Martin Luther issued his 95 theses against church practices that he considered inappropriate - the sale of indulgences to raise funds to rebuild St Peter's Rome. Wikipedia notes: According to Philip Melanchthon, writing in 1546, Luther nailed a copy of the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg that same day - church doors acting as the bulletin boards of his time - an event now seen as sparking the Protestant Reformation, and celebrated every October 31 as Reformation Day. Some scholars have questioned the accuracy of Melanchthon's account, noting that no contemporaneous evidence exists for it. Others have countered that no such evidence is necessary, because this was the customary way of advertising an event on a university campus in Luther's day.

*****

In the DIOCESE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, Fr. Holsapple, St. Anne's, Crystal River, e-mailed Bishop John W. Howe saying he had reconsidered and would not leave, nor would his parish. The Rectors and Senior Wardens of seven parishes of the Diocese of Central Florida, and two church planters, met with Bishop John W. Howe and representatives of the Diocese to discuss the possible scenarios by which all or part of the congregations may disaffiliate from The Episcopal Church. The parishes are: Cocoa, Gloria Dei Church, The Rev. Paul Young, Rector; Frank Travassos, Senior Warden. Crystal River, St. Anne's Church, The Rev. Kevin Holsapple, Rector; Victor Hernandez, Senior Warden. Maitland, Church of the Good Shepherd, The Rev. John P. Nyhan, Rector; George C. Madill, Senior Warden. Mount Dora, St. Edward's Church, The Rev. Woodleigh Volland, Rector; Charles Cronebaugh, Senior Warden Ocala, Grace Church, The Rev. Donald J. Curran, Jr., Rector; Dr. Jim Wilkerson, Senior Warden. Vero Beach, Trinity Church, The Rev. D. Lorne Coyle, Rector; Mrs. Nancy N. Reichardt, Senior Warden Winter Haven, Holy Cross Church, The Reverend Andrew S. Doan, Rector; Bill Johnson, Senior Warden. The church planters are from: Lake Nona, St. Philip's, The Rev. Paul Jagoe, Church Planter; Melinda Tedder, Lay Representative Poinciana, St. Nicholas, The Rev. Geoffrey Boland, Church Planter; Charles Secord, Lay Representative

Each Parish will now enter a process of conversation and negotiation with the Diocese, based on its particular circumstances. Bishop Howe reiterated his commitment to provide pastoral care both to those who leave and to those who wish to remain.

The diocese has raised the possible sale of real and personal property. The Diocese will enter into negotiations with a new corporation to consider the purchase or lease of the property. A decision to sell parochial property is one that must be made by the continuing members of a congregation, not by those who have voted to leave it. The Diocese and the new corporation will select a qualified property appraiser to determine the fair market value of the real property. The cost of the property appraisal will be borne by the new corporation. The Diocese may require an audit of the financial affairs of the Parish by an independent accountant for the current year and the prior two years.

*****

In the DIOCESE OF ONTARIO, Canada, a priest has been disciplined and had his license to marry cancelled after officiating at the wedding of a same-sex couple last August in a church in rural Ontario, where he is the incumbent. The Rev. Michael Bury, rector of St. John the Evangelist church, in Stirling, Ont., a small village located about 190 km east of Toronto, confirmed in an interview that his license to perform marriages has been cancelled. In an interview at the house of bishops meeting in London, Ont., diocesan bishop George Bruce said the cancellation is effective until further notice. "I had issued a directive in 2003 that we would not bless same-sex relationships nor conduct marriages. There was no canonical permission to do it. There are consequences (to such an action)," he said.

*****

The DIOCESE OF CALIFORNIA has given authorization for the use of three trial rites for the blessing of same-sex unions. The vote, which took place at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral on October 20 came, after the Synod requested that Bishop Marc Andrus authorize three rites developed by a diocesan liturgical commission. The California convention's decision is the third time in the last few weeks that an Anglican diocese has called for rites for blessing same-gender couples. Earlier this month, the Synod of the Canadian Diocese of Ottawa called on its bishop to approve rites for blessing same-gender couples. The Synod of the Diocese of Montreal did the same on October 19.

*****

CHRIST CHURCH, Plano, Texas, featured in today's digest along with a lecture by the Rev. David Roseberry delivered to SEWAAC, is a remarkable story of growth and determination. The parish pulled out of the Diocese of Dallas and came under the Anglican Mission in America, last year. It has been thriving ever since. The church draws 2100 on a Sunday, down maybe 5% from a year ago, says Roseberry. "But we are on budget for $5 million this year. We have completed a $9.1 million capital campaign and the place is starting to 'teem' with life." Roseberry preaches redemption and salvation not inclusion. You can read my story here: http://tinyurl.com/24xl86

*****

It looks like the long, tyrannical reign of Orris J. Walker Jr., Bishop of the DIOCESE OF LONG ISLAND, is finally coming to an end. A resolution concerning the election of a Bishop Coadjutor will come before the 141st Convention of the Diocese of Long Island (November 9-10, 2007). This doesn't come too soon. A number of Caribbean Anglo-Catholic pastors, who make up the remnant of orthodoxy in that diocese, are ready to split from the diocese. This might well afford them the opportunity they are waiting for to act. The bishop refused to answer a New York Times reporter over whether or not he had AIDS.

*****

From the DIOCESE OF SOUTHEAST FLORIDA comes this resolution before their next diocesan convention: "Be it therefore resolved that the Diocese of Southeast Florida demonstrate its commitment to implement the Bishops' Statement that they proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God's children including gay and lesbian persons are full and equal participants in the life of Christ's Church." They also urged the Archbishop of Canterbury to extend an invitation to V. Gene Robinson to the next Lambeth Conference in 2008. Bishop Leo Frade is the Episcopal Bishop of SE Florida.

*****

A San Francisco man who was arrested for torching the Burning Man effigy in August is being held today on four felony counts after he was arrested in front of GRACE CATHEDRAL (Episcopal) wearing an Army surplus belt containing explosives. Police identified the suspect as Paul Addis, 37. He is apparently the well-known San Francisco performance artist, who was arrested in August on suspicion of burning the namesake effigy at the Burning Man festival in Black Rock Desert, Nevada. Grace Cathedral is the third-largest Episcopal cathedral in the United States. Completed in 1964, on property donated by the family of railroad baron Charles Crocker, the towering structure is a magnet of tourists and the site of many civic events.

*****

In the UNITED KINGDOM, a gay deacon in London's East End, hit out at the Church of England as "homophobic" during his thank-you speech after receiving a top police accolade. The Rev Richard Kirker was handed the Matthew Windibank Memorial award for his contribution to gay rights at the Gay Police Association dinner. Richard, who works in Bethnal Green, told the Advertiser: "I'd be happy to see the whole leadership of the Church arraigned for inciting harassment, as it has now acquired the least enviable of all reputations. The Church is the country's leading homophobic body."

*****

IF you think the madness is confined to the Episcopal Church, read this: Meeting in San Francisco, the Judicial Council of the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH declined to intervene in the recent re-appointment of a transsexual to be pastor of a church in Baltimore. Citing the lack of a formal complaint against the transsexual minister, the denomination's highest court said the minister still was qualified for a church appointment. The court said it was not ruling on the permissibility of transsexuality among the clergy because that specific issue was not before the court. The Rev. Drew Phoenix, pastor of St. John's United Methodist Church in Baltimore, professes to have changed from female to male.

*****

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David W. Virtue DD

BREAKING NEWS. The Diocese of Pittsburgh has voted to disaffiliate from The Episcopal Church by an overwhelming majority among the clergy and a majority among the laity.
Deputies voted 118 to 58 with one abstention to approve the change. Clergy voted 109 to 24 in favor.

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