Post by Paddy by Grace on Sept 8, 2008 1:19:32 GMT -7
www.christiannewswire.com/index.php?module=releases&task=view&releaseID=3459
An Episcopal priest in Washington state recently announced that she is both a Christian and a Muslim. The Rev. Ann Holmes Redding of Seattle made her profession of faith in Islam in March 2006. Episcopal Church Center employees told the Seattle Times that a person of dual faiths can serve as Episcopal clergy at the diocesan bishop's discretion. The Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, bishop of the Diocese of Olympia, reportedly accepts Redding's dual faiths; consequently, she remains a priest in good standing within the diocese.
Ralph Webb, Director of the IRD's Anglican Action program, commented:
"The Episcopal Church continues to find new, creative ways to allow for heterodox faith variations at the local level. First, there was a 'local option' for same-sex blessings in the Episcopal Church. Now there's apparently an unofficial 'local option' for clergy who profess dual faiths.
"Rev. Redding certainly is free to pursue a spiritual path of her own choosing. But when she was ordained as an Episcopal priest, she accepted a charge to 'boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation; and rightly administer the sacraments of the New Covenant.' How can she 'boldly proclaim the gospel' of Jesus Christ's death on the cross for the sins of the world and subsequent resurrection when Islam denies both events? How can she 'rightly administer the sacraments of a … covenant' antithetical to Muslim beliefs, which see Jesus only as a prophet, not the savior of the world? Rev. Redding, Bishop Warner, and the Episcopal Church need to take such questions seriously.
"Even the Episcopal Church's baptismal service asks all Christians to 'confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.' The idea that a person can become a Muslim while remaining an Episcopal priest in good standing trivializes both faiths.
"The blurring of Christian distinctives is evidence of a spiritual confusion that can only harm Episcopalians. And while it's been said that 'all politics are local,' Bishop Warner's acceptance of Rev. Redding's syncretism compromises the whole church. The Episcopal Church's unofficial acceptance of clergy with dual faiths represents inclusion run amok. It clearly illustrates the overwhelming gap in faith and practice between the Episcopal Church and the majority of the Anglican Communion—not to mention the universal Christian Church."
Large contingent of churches joins Pride celebration
Surging crowds lining the parade route added to the enthusiasm of this year’s 32nd annual Pride festivities as thousands turned out for last weekend’s Capital Pride parade and festival.
Similar to past years, colorful floats, a gay marching band and members of dozens of gay social, political, sports and faith-based groups walked or rode along the parade route, which began on P Street, N.W., near Dupont Circle, and wound its way through gay neighborhoods before ending at Thomas Circle.
But in what organizers said appeared to be a new trend, a considerably larger contingent of mainline city churches and religious groups joined the parade this year, and thousands more spectators — both gay and straight — lined the streets to watch the parade. Many cheered, waved and snapped pictures with their digital cameras as the contingents moved past them.
Leading the religious contingent was Right Rev. John B. Chane, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, who rode in an open car. Official contingents of at least four of the city’s largest Episcopal parishes joined Chane in the parade, including one from the Washington National Cathedral, over which Chane presides, according to church spokesperson Jim Naughton.
“For us, we felt we should not be timid after what our church has been through recently,” Naught said.
He was referring to the heated controversy and possible church schism surrounding the ordination of gay Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire and the decision by a number of conservative Episcopal parishes to break away from the official church leadership over the gay clergy issue.
Naught said Chane and the gay and straight parishioners joining him in the city’s June 9 Gay Pride parade believe they were carrying our the best tradition of their faith.
“In a way, this is evangelism at its best,” he said. “You reach out to new audiences. Churches have to make themselves visible to the community.”
A first-ever contingent from a Baptist church and the Westminster Presbyterian Church, the gay-oriented Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, and the gay Catholic group Dignity were among the other faith-based contingents in the parade.
An Episcopal priest in Washington state recently announced that she is both a Christian and a Muslim. The Rev. Ann Holmes Redding of Seattle made her profession of faith in Islam in March 2006. Episcopal Church Center employees told the Seattle Times that a person of dual faiths can serve as Episcopal clergy at the diocesan bishop's discretion. The Rt. Rev. Vincent Warner, bishop of the Diocese of Olympia, reportedly accepts Redding's dual faiths; consequently, she remains a priest in good standing within the diocese.
Ralph Webb, Director of the IRD's Anglican Action program, commented:
"The Episcopal Church continues to find new, creative ways to allow for heterodox faith variations at the local level. First, there was a 'local option' for same-sex blessings in the Episcopal Church. Now there's apparently an unofficial 'local option' for clergy who profess dual faiths.
"Rev. Redding certainly is free to pursue a spiritual path of her own choosing. But when she was ordained as an Episcopal priest, she accepted a charge to 'boldly proclaim the gospel of salvation; and rightly administer the sacraments of the New Covenant.' How can she 'boldly proclaim the gospel' of Jesus Christ's death on the cross for the sins of the world and subsequent resurrection when Islam denies both events? How can she 'rightly administer the sacraments of a … covenant' antithetical to Muslim beliefs, which see Jesus only as a prophet, not the savior of the world? Rev. Redding, Bishop Warner, and the Episcopal Church need to take such questions seriously.
"Even the Episcopal Church's baptismal service asks all Christians to 'confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood.' The idea that a person can become a Muslim while remaining an Episcopal priest in good standing trivializes both faiths.
"The blurring of Christian distinctives is evidence of a spiritual confusion that can only harm Episcopalians. And while it's been said that 'all politics are local,' Bishop Warner's acceptance of Rev. Redding's syncretism compromises the whole church. The Episcopal Church's unofficial acceptance of clergy with dual faiths represents inclusion run amok. It clearly illustrates the overwhelming gap in faith and practice between the Episcopal Church and the majority of the Anglican Communion—not to mention the universal Christian Church."
Large contingent of churches joins Pride celebration
Surging crowds lining the parade route added to the enthusiasm of this year’s 32nd annual Pride festivities as thousands turned out for last weekend’s Capital Pride parade and festival.
Similar to past years, colorful floats, a gay marching band and members of dozens of gay social, political, sports and faith-based groups walked or rode along the parade route, which began on P Street, N.W., near Dupont Circle, and wound its way through gay neighborhoods before ending at Thomas Circle.
But in what organizers said appeared to be a new trend, a considerably larger contingent of mainline city churches and religious groups joined the parade this year, and thousands more spectators — both gay and straight — lined the streets to watch the parade. Many cheered, waved and snapped pictures with their digital cameras as the contingents moved past them.
Leading the religious contingent was Right Rev. John B. Chane, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, who rode in an open car. Official contingents of at least four of the city’s largest Episcopal parishes joined Chane in the parade, including one from the Washington National Cathedral, over which Chane presides, according to church spokesperson Jim Naughton.
“For us, we felt we should not be timid after what our church has been through recently,” Naught said.
He was referring to the heated controversy and possible church schism surrounding the ordination of gay Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire and the decision by a number of conservative Episcopal parishes to break away from the official church leadership over the gay clergy issue.
Naught said Chane and the gay and straight parishioners joining him in the city’s June 9 Gay Pride parade believe they were carrying our the best tradition of their faith.
“In a way, this is evangelism at its best,” he said. “You reach out to new audiences. Churches have to make themselves visible to the community.”
A first-ever contingent from a Baptist church and the Westminster Presbyterian Church, the gay-oriented Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, and the gay Catholic group Dignity were among the other faith-based contingents in the parade.