News for Week Ending 6/1/2015

Carey: Duncan ‘is a good friend’ but I probably wouldn’t have chosen to leave Episcopal Church

Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, was interviewed in Detroit by The Blade. The interview was published May 23, 2015, and covers a number of topics, including the West’s response to Islamic State. Carey expressed a strong interest in church unity. He noted that Robert Duncan “is a good friend of mine and I admire him immensely, but in his position I may not, probably would not, have made his choice” to leave The Episcopal church. The full interview can be read here. 

CoE motions seeks transgender service

Church Times reported May 30, 2015, that a General Synod motion has been filed that asks the House of Bishops to consider whether a liturgy is needed “to mark a person's gender transition.” The motion was inspired by an incident in the Diocese of Blackburn in which a man asked to be “rebaptized,” although he had already been bapized as a girl.

CoE vicar refuses baptism

Another row has erupted over the baptism of a child, this time in the Church of England. The Vicar of St. John’s Church, Dukinfield, in the Diocese of Chester has refused to baptize a 9-month-old boy because his parents, though Christians living together, are unmarried. The Rev. Tim Hayes offered to bless the child instead. The couple claimed that they were not married because of the expense. Hayes offered a marriage ceremony at no cost. The story was covered by the Manchester Evening News May 27, 2015. Thinking Anglicans has provided background and links.

Gallup: Americans more liberal on moral issues

According to a recent Gallup poll, Americans are becoming more liberal on moral issues, a trend seen most dramatically in attitudes toward homosexuality and same-sex marriage. Episcopal Café summarized the Gallup findings, details of which can be found here.

Nebraska abolishes death penalty

Nebraska legislators voted May 27, 2015, to overturn Governor Pete Ricketts’ veto of a bill abolishing the death penalty in the state.The vote was 30–19 in the single-house legislature, the only such legislature in the U.S. The result came as something of a surprise to many, given that Nebraska politics is dominated by Republicans. Details can be found in a story from Episcopal Café.

Bishops on GTS board write to fellow bishops

Episcopal News Service reported May 28, 2015, that the bishops on the board of General Theological Seminary wrote to all the bishops in The Episcopal Church May 20 enumerating what they consider positive developments at the church’s oldest seminary. Significantly, the letter ends with a plea to send students to the seminary. Both students and faculty have left GTS this past year as a result of the controversy over Dean and President Kurt Dunkle. (See Pittsburgh Update story here.)

Presiding Bishop speaks of women bishops

On May 26, 2015, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori spoke at the Westminster Faith Debates at St. James’s Church in London. She argued for the special role of women bishops and women in leadership positions generally. Episcopal News Service posted her remarks.

Newport Beach congregation seeking new home

Pittsburgh Update reported last week that the property of St. James, Newport Beach, is being sold. (See story here.) Bishop of Los Angeles J. Jon Bruno informed the Episcopal congregation last month and justified the move in a letter to parishioners. The congregation is seeking a new worship home. Details are provided in a May 27, 2015, story from the Daily Pilot.