News for Week Ending 7/19/2010

Argentina approves gay marriage

On July 15, 2010, the National Congress of Argentina passed a law authorizing same-sex marriage in Argentina, despite strong opposition from the Roman Catholic Church. Roman Catholicism is the official religion of Argentina. With this legislative action, Argentina becomes the tenth nation to legalize same-sex marriage and the first in Latin America. The story has been reported by Time.

Women bishop measure advances in England amid great anxieties

The Church of England’s General Synod, as reported here last week, approved a measure to allow for women bishops that will soon be in the hands of the church’s dioceses. Those opposed to women bishops failed to achieve the kind of guarantees of isolation from women bishops they sought. The only concession they have won is a code of practice regarding dissenters that has yet to be written. It is expected that final approval by the General Synod will occur in about 18 months.

Several news outlets have summarized the current state of affairs in the Church of England. Among the contributors of notable stories are Ecumenical News International and Church Times. The latter explains the steps needed for women bishops to become a reality in England. Additional commentary can be found here and elsewhere on Thinking Anglicans.

Church gets $404,000 grant for same-sex liturgies

According to The Living Church, the Arcus Foundation of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has given a $404,000 grant to the Church Divinity School of the Pacific to assist the church’s Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music in its General-Convention-mandated task of gathering and developing liturgies for same-sex blessings. Since the General Convention has provided a mere $25,000 for the project, the Arcus grant is very welcome. Additional details can be found in the story in The Living Church.

Episcopal Church handed more setbacks in Fort Worth

The breakaway Fort Worth diocese, still insisting that it is the “Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth,” continues to score minor legal victories. (See most recent Pittsburgh Update story here.) Recent action before a Hood County court is described in a press release from the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) diocese. (In reading the press release, understand that the “Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the Corporation of the Diocese” refers to the ACNA diocese.)

At issue in this case is the proper beneficiary of a bequest to a parish of the diocese, one whose congregation has left The Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Church is arguing, unsuccessfully, so far, that the disposition of the bequest should depend on who legitimately represents St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Fort Worth. No decision has yet been made in the case. Details can be read in the press release.