tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post7375220934069234411..comments2024-03-30T00:33:32.285+13:00Comments on Anglican Down Under: Irish close no doorsPeter Carrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09535218286799156659noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-84732503384171706192012-03-13T22:54:27.834+13:002012-03-13T22:54:27.834+13:00David Virtue has taken down that article - even Go...David Virtue has taken down that article - even Google cache doesn't have a copy. I did manage to read it briefly yesterday. <br /><br />Peter, as you know, conferences and official dialogues always look glowing and positive in press releases, but the participants may have a different view. I haven't looked, but it's possible some of the participants who supported homosexual relationships may have come away feeling the conservatives "dominated proceedings" or "drowned them out". As the TEC experience shows, the orthodox often have a very different view of events which are characterised in official press releases as "marked by charity and unity" and "respectful listening to different views". <br /><br />With regards to the listenting process, it began not with the Windsor Process, but with the 1998 Lambeth Conference, some 13 years ago. Perhaps the Church of Ireland is a bit late getting started on this, but most provinces are now at the point where we need to end the "open discussion", which is usually code for "pointless talk while we change the facts on the ground", and make some decisions about our future direction.<br /><br />I hope the Church of Ireland is genuine in its statement regarding its constant position on marriage between a woman and a man. And I hope that it conducts its decision making with Biblical faithfulness, careful listening and consideration, and adherence to its canons. But I'll need more than a press release to be convinced.Andrew Reidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-67444435448887876552012-03-12T21:51:51.024+13:002012-03-12T21:51:51.024+13:00From your link on this thread, in the last sentenc...From your link on this thread, in the last sentence, Peter, (presumably, part of a letter to a friend - one Mr David Virtue?), one Church of Ireland clergy-person was not too happy at the Bishops' presentation! Obviously shocked at his Church's willingness to engage in the 'Windsor Report's Listening Process. I do feel sorry for him.Father Ron Smithhttp://kiwianglo.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3915617830446943975.post-2888235269858942262012-03-12T12:24:41.004+13:002012-03-12T12:24:41.004+13:00I agree Peter. The Church of Ireland is a model to...I agree Peter. The Church of Ireland is a model to us all - in its readiness to sit down together and discuss the situation of the LGBT community in the Church.<br /><br />I used to hold your opinion on the sanctity of Marriage being reserved for heterosexual couples - with the capacity to procreate. However, now that the Church marries couples who are not capable of producing off-spring - the argument is different.<br /><br />Furthermore, since conservative Church people have denied to gays the prospect of a Blessing for a monogamous Civil Partnership, they cannot blame society for wanting an official state of marriage for Same-Sex partnerships, in lieu. <br /><br />I feel that, if the Church had been more open to a simple Same-Sex Blessing, the request for Same-Sex Marriage may never have arisen.Father Ron Smithhttp://kiwianglo.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com