Sunday, November 18, 2007

Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese Takes Step to Cut Ties with US Episcopal Church

With all the pressing needs and services that are needed by the poor and others who are unchurched, one would think that the Fort Worth Diocese would have more important things to obsess over besides gays in the church. It really makes me wonder why these people are so freaked out by gays in general and so afraid to recognize that our sexuality and its inherent nature was unknown and not understood by the ignorant, nomadic, tribal writers of the Old Testament. I mean, these same authors thought the earth was the center of the universe and that the sun revolved around the earth. Isn't it just possible, they were likewise mistaken about their condemnations of same sex relations? Duh, you'd thing it would be so obvious. I truly cannot envision the mind set/world view of the fundamentalists who refuse to ever admit that the Bible is NOT 100% accurate on all kinds of factual/historical matters. Their religion is a religion of fear and hate of others. NOT what Jesus preached. In any event, here are highlights from the Star-Telegram's coverage (http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/308682.html):
FORT WORTH -- Delegates to the Fort Worth Episcopal Diocese's annual convention took the first step Saturday to cut ties to the Episcopal Church, a move driven in part by the diocese's opposition to the ordination of women and gay men and the blessing of same-sex unions.
Delegates also adopted on first reading an amendment affirming membership with the Anglican Communion, which has 75 million members. They rejected on first reading an amendment stating that church and mission property within the 24-county diocese are held in trust for the Episcopal Church. Fort Worth Bishop Jack Iker and his followers say property owned by parishes and missions is held in trust for the diocese through a corporation. The second and final votes on those actions will take place at the diocese convention in 2008, diocese leaders said.
National leaders say that although a diocese may appeal to be dissolved or moved to another province, it cannot leave without consent. In November 2006, national leaders rejected the Fort Worth Diocese's request to be placed under the authority of an alternative, orthodox authority other than Jefferts Schori.
Some diocese members, including a group called Fort Worth Via Media, have remained supportive of the national church's stances. They say an attempt by the diocese to take mission and parish property would be immoral and lead to costly litigation. A measure approved by delegates Saturday would give parishes the option to remain with the Episcopal Church if they cannot resolve their differences through meetings with the bishop and standing committee.

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