A Word From The Bishop

Resolution B012

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

         Greetings in Christ. A recent article from The Living Church ‘Marriage for the Whole Church’ describes a resolution (B012) proposed to the General Convention by the bishops of the dioceses of Pittsburgh, Rhode Island, and Long Island, as well as the case for it from the latter. On the new Communion Partners’ website may be found a response titled ‘The Vocation of the Anglican Communion.’ I have received several questions about these, so here is how to access them.

     In my recent pastoral letter, I reiterated that, come what may. I will continue to teach and guide the congregations I oversee in Dallas according to the traditional teaching of the Church. Secondly, we will not leave the Church, and thirdly, we will endeavor to live these two out with as much charity as God grants us. I spoke for myself, but believe these to be consistent with the Communion Partners’ approach.

    My intention is to cleave to these three principles in the all deliberations of the Convention. The Communion Partners’ statement leaves us free to vote in accordance with our conscience on resolutions concerning marriage. At the same time, we will carry on with our ministry collegially within the terms of whatever decisions the Convention reaches, which in B012 would include DEPO. Thirdly and finally, we would indeed appreciate the creation of a ‘Communion Across Difference’ taskforce such as that resolution mandates, to work together toward a ‘safe space’ for traditional Episcopalians in a spirit of charity and mission.   Please pray for us and for the whole Convention in the coming days.

Peace,

+GRS

A Word From the Bishop: A Note on Romans 13

In general I am leery, as you may recall, about wading into political contestation. My two exceptions are matters which bear directly on the theological and those bearing on the lives of parishioners. When Attorney General Sessions cited Romans 13 on the civil authorities in order to defend the policy of separating parents from their children when detained at the border, by the first criterion the matter merits comment.

1. Obeying the authorities does not mean agreeing with them. Paul was after all talking about Caesar.
2. We need to consider the whole witness of Scripture, each passage together with other relevant ones, for example those about mercy or about the stranger and sojourner.
3. Motive in the reader is an appropriate consideration. While immigration policy is a real question for debate, it is hard to deny that the administration has used fear and resentment for political gain.
4. The protection of vulnerable children is also an aim of our legal system. This too has roots in the New Testament.