Comments on: Conservative parishes lose in Episcopal gay clergy feud

By: Brad

Brad — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:07:29 +0000

This is not about homosexuality or relgion – the case is about contract enforcement. If you choose to affiliate into a certain sort of denomination and the rules (canons) from the beginning state that disaffiliation will cost your property, then so be it. You should have thought about that before entering the agreement and/or remained an independent entity from the start. It seems rather similar to a franchise agreement.

In any event, let’s hope gay people flock to affirming relgious groups like the Epicopal Church USA, the United Church of Christ (UCC), Reformed Judism, etc. instead of staying and tacitly supported their homophobic “birth” relgion.

By: beachcomberT

beachcomberT — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:05:42 +0000

I have mixed feelings about this ruling. Of course, I am glad the Episcopal Church USA is sticking by Bishop Robinson and supporting gay equality. But I think local churches should control their local property regardless of whether they are pro-gay, anti-gay, etc. This issue has dogged the predominantly-gay Metropolitan Community Church denomination in recent years. Finally, MCC, to its credit, has allowed breakaway churches (I belong to one) to retain their property. However, MCC’s central headquarters still retains power to shut down small churches by declaring them “failed” and in those situations can take over their property. Many Catholic churches have faced the same issue when they have dared to defy a bishop or resist a diocesan decision to sell off a “surplus” building. Some would argue that local churches have contracts with their denomination, and they have no choice but to play by the denomination’s rules (canon laws). Maybe so, but that makes it no less painful when a denominational representative arrives at a church and takes control. Beware of royal Big Brother, no matter his gleaming miter and flowing robes.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:24:09 +0000

Amen, Trace!

By: Trace

Trace — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:53:29 +0000

I hope that anyone that is looking for a place of worship will look into the Episcopal Church. Yes, I’m probably a bit biased as I was baptized into the Church as an infant.

But, as I grew I have found a wonderful community that is open, loving and caring.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:43:57 +0000

The real question is how many of our community will now go to those churches and join their congregations to show their solidarity with the US Episcopal leaders? We say that churches only want money and power. Now that a church is working to bring approval to homosexuality, shall we spend our money to support them and help to build their power?

By: Jerry from Tucson, AZ

Jerry from Tucson, AZ — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:58:58 +0000

FINALLY! Those people who have tried to destroy the Episcopal Church in the U.S. have been booted out without any claim to any property. Let this be a lesson for those who seek to politicize the exclusion of others: GET YOUR OWN CHURCH!

By: Chris Sullivan

Chris Sullivan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:20:58 +0000

A win for common sense. If they want to start a new congregation, aligning themselves with that pompous Nigerian moron – more power to them – but NOT with the property that belongs to the Episcopal Church.

By: Bud Burgoon-Clark

Bud Burgoon-Clark — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:56:20 +0000

Howard Ahmanson is a member of St. James “Nigerian Anglican” “church” in Newport Beach. He and Richard Mellon Scaife are the major money behind the attempted conservative takeovers of MOST of the mainline Christian denominations. That means, among other things, that St. James has almost unlimited money to continue litigating ad infinitum. Ahmanson also bankrolls the über-conservative American Anglican Council, and the “bishop” who heads it was the last ECUSA rector of St. James. Ahmanson is a disciple of R. L. Rushdooney and the Dominionists / Christian Reconstructionists, though he has *claimed* to disassociate himself from some of their more extreme points of view in recent years … like executing homosexuals (!).

By: Glen Thompson

Glen Thompson — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:35:11 +0000

It’s about time that the courts realized that there is this thing called “Canon Law”. Being an ex member of the Anglican Church of Canada I have taken great interest in these developments. This has also been the ruling in Canada regarding breakaway churches. Bishop Bruno, however, needs to get his head ot of the sand. Just bid them God’s speed and show them the door.

It’s because of the attitude and hypocrise of the conservative element that I now consider myself ex Anglican.