Split from the Scottish Episcopal Church over equal marriage is ‘very sad’, says incoming Bishop of Brechin

From Scotland-

In an interview with The Courier, The Very Rev Andrew Swift – Bishop Elect for the Diocese of Brechin who will be consecrated as Bishop of Brechin in a ceremony at St Paul’s Cathedral in Dundee on Saturday – said the decision of St Thomas’ to quit the official Anglican church in Scotland over the June 2017 equal marriage vote was “really sad” – and there was a danger other churches could follow.

When the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) voted last summer to allow gay couples to marry in church, it meant that clergy who wished to officiate at gay marriages would have to “opt-in”.

The church said this meant that those who disagreed with gay marriage would be protected and would not have to act against their conscience.

However, the church’s decision to permit gay marriage led to sanctions being imposed on the SEC by leaders of the global Anglican Communion last October, with St Thomas’ rector Rev David McCarthy recently describing the decision to leave as a “very painful” one, adding: “We have not done it easily. We have had many tears and many sleepless nights. It is a tragic necessity. But it is the Episcopal Church who are leaving us. They are leaving orthodoxy.”

Commenting on the issue, The Very Rev Andrew Swift, who is a married father-of-three, and who welcomes equal marriage at St Paul’s Cathedral in Dundee, said: “It’s really sad.

More here-

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/scotland/710092/split-from-the-scottish-episcopal-church-over-equal-marriage-is-very-sad-says-incoming-bishop-of-brechin/

Anglican Church in Southeast Asia now in ‘impaired communion’ with Scottish Episcopal Church

From Anglican Church League-

Here is a statement, released today, from the Synod of the Province of the Anglican Church in South East Asia – from the 2nd Meeting of its 6th Session in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, from 29th to 31st January, 2018.
___

31st January 2018

Noting the decision of the Scottish Episcopal Church on 8 June 2017 to change its doctrine of marriage and to recognise same-sex marriages and further to amend its Canons to allow for the rite of blessing of same-sex marriages, which is a contravention of Resolution 1.10 of the Lambeth Conference 1998; and

Recalling that as a consequence of the then Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) proceeding with the consecration of Gene Robinson as a Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in 2003, in contravention of Resolution 1.10 of the Lambeth Conference 1998, the Province of the Anglican Church in South East Asia declared in 2003 that it was in a state of impaired communion with ECUSA (now known as The Episcopal Church)

More here-

http://acl.asn.au/anglican-church-southeast-asia-now-impaired-communion-scottish-episcopal-church/

Scottish Episcopal Church defends decision to ordain first female bishop

From Christian Daily-

The Scottish Episcopal Church has spoken up about its decision to consecrate Canon Anne Dyer as the new Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney in March, as it said those who questioned the move were attempting to "subvert" its processes.

Soon to be the first female bishop in Scotland, Canon Dyer is set to be ordained during a service at St. Andrew's Cathedral in Aberdeen this March. The Church's decision has sparked opposition from a group inside the diocese which wrote an open letter urging Dyer to consider turning down the position, the BBC News detailed.

In Aberdeen and Orkney, priests have threatened to resign over Dyer's appointment. They described the move as "divisive" and "disrespectful" since it "directly goes against the established wishes of the diocese on the views it would hope that our new bishop would hold and minister to us from the perspective of them," The Guardian relayed.

More here-

http://www.christiandaily.com/article/scottish-episcopal-church-defends-decision-to-ordain-first-female-bishop/61793.htm

Scottish Episcopal church defends first woman bishop

From The BBC-

he Scottish Episcopal church has defended the selection of Canon Anne Dyer as the next Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney.

A group within the diocese has called on her to consider standing down.

Canon Dyer is due to be consecrated as the first woman bishop in Scotland at a service in St Andrew's Cathedral, Aberdeen, in March.

The Primus of the church has accused those behind an open letter of trying to "subvert" its processes.

Mark Strange, who is Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness, reaffirmed his belief that Canon Dyer is the right person to be bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney.

More here-

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-42629459

also here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Rector-rebuked-over-new-Scottish-Episcopal-bishop-revolt

Scottish and US-based Episcopal Churches celebrate historic bonds of communion

From ACNS-

The Presiding Bishop of the US-based Episcopal Church (TEC), Michael Curry, has delivered a sermon at St Andrew’s Cathedral in Aberdeen to celebrate the historic links between two of the earliest churches in the Anglican Communion outside England. TEC traces its roots back to 1784 – the year after the Americans defeated the British in the American War of Independence. The Church’s first US-bishop, Samuel Seabury, was required by the Church of England to swear an oath of allegiance to the Crown before they would consecrate him. He refused, and bishops from the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) agreed to conduct the consecration.

“Our bishops today trace their succession to Samuel Seabury . . . so our roots really are here in Aberdeen, Scotland. Indeed, Scotland is our mother church, so it was good to come home and give thanks to our mother church and to affirm our continued partnership in Jesus Christ,” Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said in an interview on Monday with the Episcopal News Service.

More here-

http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2017/11/scottish-and-us-based-episcopal-churches-celebrate-historic-bonds-of-communion.aspx

Anglican Church penalises Scottish arm over gay marriage

From Yahoo-

The Anglican Church on Tuesday disciplined its Scottish branch for deciding to allow same-sex couples to get married in its churches.

The Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) voted in June to change its law on marriage, removing the reference to it being between a man and a woman.

As a result the first gay wedding in a UK Anglican church took place last month in Edinburgh, according to British media reports.

But while the SEC followed through with its decision -- which included a conscience clause for those ministers who do not want to officiate same-sex nuptials -- it was also prepared for the consequences.

"I recognise that this decision is one that has caused some hurt and anger in parts of the Anglican Communion," said Bishop Mark Strange, head of the SEC, at a meeting of Anglican leaders at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England.

More here-

https://www.yahoo.com/news/anglican-church-penalises-scottish-arm-over-gay-marriage-210021058.html

Anglicans sanction Scottish Episcopal Church over same-sex marriage

From The BBC-

The Scottish Episcopal Church is to be excluded from ecumenical and leadership roles in the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.

The decision follows the SEC's vote to begin marrying same-sex couples.

The Most Rev Justin Welby set out the decision in a news conference mid-way through a week-long meeting of Anglican primates in Canterbury.

He said: "There were a lot of expressions of disappointment, strong feelings from many of the provinces."

The archbishop said the consequences were agreed unanimously. He said he felt "very sad" about the decision.

More here-

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-41491989

Scottish Anglican church faces sanctions over vote to allow same-sex marriage

From The Guardian-

The Anglican church in Scotland is to face de facto sanctions imposed by global church leaders next week for its acceptance of same-sex marriage.

Leaders of the global Anglican communion, meeting for five days in Canterbury, are expected to impose “consequences” on the Scottish Episcopal church along the lines of the punitive measures dished out to the US Episcopal church last year for its embrace of LGBTI equality.

The measures include a bar on membership of representational bodies and an exclusion from decisions on policy.

Scottish Anglicans voted overwhelmingly in June in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry in church, setting the church on a collision course with the Anglican communion. The Anglican church in Canada is expected to follow suit.

More here-

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/27/scottish-anglican-church-faces-sanctions-over-vote-to-allow-same-sex-marriage

‘Consequences’ for Scottish Episcopal Church in the offing when Primates meet, after gay marriage vote

From The Church Times-

NEXT week’s Primates’ Meeting in Canterbury is likely to impose the same “consequences” for the Scot­tish Episcopal Church (SEC) for endors­ing same-sex marriage as those set out for the Episcopal Church in the United States last year.

After the meeting in January 2016 in Canterbury, the Primates agreed that US Episcopalians should not take part in decision-making on doctrine or polity in the Com­­munion for three years (News, 15 January 2016). They were also prohibited from representing the Anglican Communion at ecumen­ical and interfaith talks.

Imposing the same sanctions, which the Archbishop of Canter­bury has insisted did not amount to punishment, on the SEC is likely to be agreed by the 34 Primates.

While some conservative voices in the Communion questioned whether the consequences had any teeth after last year’s Anglican Consultative Council meeting — in which delegates from the US played a full part — sanctions on the Scots are expected to mean that the new Primus will be unable to follow his predecessor in leading the Anglican dialogue with the Reformed Churches.

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/29-september/news/uk/consequences-for-scots-in-the-offing-when-primates-meet

The Scottish Episcopal Church and the upcoming Primates’ Meeting

From Scotland-

There’s been a little flurry of articles in the press this week about the Scottish Episcopal Church.

“SANCTIONS LOOM FOR SCOTTISH EPISCOPAL CHURCH’S PRO-GAY MARRIAGE VOTE”

“SCOTS ‘TO FACE CONSEQUENCES’ OVER GAY MARRIAGE”

“GLOBAL ANGLICAN CHURCH LEADERS CONDEMN SCOTLAND FOR ALLOWING SAME-SEX WEDDINGS”

And so on.

The only awkward thing about all these articles is that the Primates’ Meeting hasn’t happened yet. No-one has condemned anything and no-one really knows what is going to happen.

This press interest seems to have started in London in the middle of the week when someone gave a briefing to the likes of the BBC, the Telegraph and the Guardian. All three had identical stories which didn’t reference anyone in Scotland at all. It isn’t rocket science to come to the conclusion that someone in either Lambeth Palace or the Anglican Communion Office was briefing journalists against the Scottish Episcopal Church.

More here-

http://thurible.net/2017/09/29/scottish-episcopal-church-upcoming-primates-meeting/

Scottish church faces 'consequences' over vote to allow same-sex marriage

From The Telegraph-

The Scottish Episcopal Church is likely to face "consequences" for its vote to allow same-sex marriage, the Daily Telegraph understands.

Next week Anglican leaders will decide how to respond to the church's vote to change its Canon on Marriage to remove the definition that marriage is between a man and a woman.

The most likely outcome is that they will decide to restrict the organisation from representing the group at interfaith meetings and from voting on decisions about policy or teaching.

The measures, which are effectively sanctions, would restrict the church from taking part in these key roles for three years. 

More here-

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/27/scottish-church-faces-consequences-vote-allow-same-sex-marriage/

also here-

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/27/scottish-anglican-church-faces-sanctions-over-vote-to-allow-same-sex-marriage

Church of Scotland expected to back same-sex marriage

From The BBC-

The Kirk's General Assembly - gathering in Edinburgh - will be asked to approve more work on how such weddings could take place in church.

Equal marriage remains a divisive issue within the church.

Since 2014, Scotland has allowed same-sex couples to marry but individual church traditions can each decide whether to participate.

A report on the issue prepared for the General Assembly invited the church to take stock of its history of discrimination against gay people and to apologise "individually and corporately".

Moderator Designate the Reverend Dr Derek Browning said: "On Thursday afternoon the theological forum will be bringing a report to the General Assembly, and this year what they're asking to do is for the assembly, first of all, to consider making an apology to the gay community for things that have have been said in the past and the assembly will have to make up its mind on that.

More here-

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-39975373

A Communiqué from the Gafcon Primates to Members and Supporters

From Gafcon-

A Missionary Bishop

During our meeting, we considered how best to respond to the voice of faithful Anglicans in some parts of the Global North who are in need of biblically faithful episcopal leadership. Of immediate concern is the reality that on 8th June 2017 the Scottish Episcopal Church is likely to formalize their rejection of Jesus’ teaching on marriage. If this were to happen, faithful Anglicans in Scotland will need appropriate pastoral care. In addition, within England there are churches that have, for reasons of conscience, been planted outside of the Church of England by the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE).  These churches are growing, and are in need of episcopal leadership. Therefore, we have decided to consecrate a missionary bishop who will be tasked with providing episcopal leadership for those who are outside the structures of any Anglican province, especially in Europe.

More here-

https://www.gafcon.org/news/a-communique-from-the-gafcon-primates-to-members-and-supporters

Scottish Census finds ‘shoots of growth’ amid decline

From The Church Times-

CHURCH congregations in Scotland are vanishing at a rate equivalent to ten a month, the 2016 Church Census suggests.

It found that 7.2 per cent of the Scottish population — about 390,000 people — attended church regularly, compared with 17 per cent in 1984. If the downward trend continued, the numbers could fall to just under 300,000 by 2025, the report’s lead researcher, Dr Peter Brierley, said.

The decline in numbers covered all denominations except Pentecostals, where attendance has almost doubled since 2002 to 19,000, accounting for five per cent of all Scottish churchgoers in 2016. And in some areas — mainly immigrant and Messy Churches that have started in the past ten years — the figures have improved. Dr Brierley said that his report was not “a pessimistic story of inevitable decline”.

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2017/21-april/news/uk/scottish-census-finds-shoots-of-growth-amid-decline

Church 'deeply distressed' by Koran offence, says primus

From The BBC-

The head of the Scottish Episcopal Church says the Church is "deeply distressed" at the offence caused by the reading of a passage from the Koran in a Glasgow cathedral.

The comments of the Church Primus, the Most Rev David Chillingworth, follow criticism that Islamic verses were read during an Epiphany service.

In his blog, he also condemned the abuse received by St Mary's Cathedral.

Police are investigating offensive online messages aimed at the church.

The primus, who is also Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, said the church wanted to bring together people involved in interfaith relations.


More here-

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38628338

Controversy Over Cathedral Koran Reading Deepens With Denial That Jesus Is Son of God

From Christian Today (Scotland)

The controversy surrounding a reading of the Koran at a Christian cathedral has deepened after it emerged the text read included a passage that explicitly declares Jesus is not the Son of God.

The denial of this key Christian doctrine was read out at a leading cathedral of the Scottish Episcopal Church in Glasgow.

The cathedral's Provost, Rev Kelvin Holdsworth, invited the recitation from the Islamic holy book that gave the Muslim interpretation of Jesus' miraculous conception and birth. The reading was given by Madinah Javed, a Muslim law student, at St Mary's Cathedral at the Epiphany service which celebrates the incarnation of God as His son Jesus.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/controversy.over.cathedral.koran.reading.deepens.with.denial.that.jesus.is.son/103780.htm

Also here (BBC)

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38591559 

and here-

http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/753180/koran-passage-sung-st-mary-episcopal-cathedral-glasgow-arabic-scottish-church-service-god

Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali Condemns Koran Reading At Anglican Cathedral Epiphany Service

From Christian Today-

Christians are familiar with the Bible texts that detail the conception and birth of Jesus to His mother, the Virgin Mary.

But they are not so used to hearing the Muslim version of the story read out in church. And especially not on Epiphany, which celebrates the incarnation of God as His son Jesus - a doctrine denied by Muslims.

Michael Nazir-Ali, a leading evangelical Christian in Britain, has now condemned the reading on a service at the Scottish Episcopal Church's Glasgow Cathedral last Friday.

The congregation at St Mary's cathedral heard the Muslim version of the Virgin Mary's conception of Jesus, from the Koran's Sura 19, sung by Madinah Javed. The passage explains how Mary gave birth after an angel told her God would give her a child.

More here-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bishop.michael.nazir.ali.condemns.koran.reading.at.anglican.cathedral.epiphany.service/103716.htm

Scottish Episcopal Church takes gay marriage step

From The BBC-

The Scottish Episcopal Church's General Synod has made the first steps of any Anglican Church in the UK towards allowing gay marriage in church.

The synod voted that a change to its Canon law governing marriage should be sent for discussion to the church's seven dioceses.


A further vote will happen at next year's synod.

The proposal would remove the doctrinal clause which states that marriage is between a man and a woman.

There would be a "conscience clause" for those who would not want to conduct a same-sex marriage.

More here-

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-36498967

Synod votes to press on with Scottish talks, despite Episcopalian unease

From The Church Times-

THE General Synod has ignored pleas to heed the “pain” of the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC), and voted to continue the ecumenical talks with the Church of Scotland which had prompted dismay in some Scottish Episcopalians.

After hearing a presentation from the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Very Revd Dr Angus Morrison, Synod members debated a motion that welcomed the joint report produced by the Churches of England and of Scotland, and called for more discussions in a permanent contact group.

Dr Morrison told the Synod that, “The strengthening of the bonds that already exist between us can only serve the ‘advance of the gospel’, which is our united desire and aim.”

A number of speakers, however, argued strongly against the report, saying that some people within the SEC had been hurt by the C of E’s actions, and by the way the report had come to light just before Christmas (News, 8 January).

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/19-february/news/uk/synod-votes-to-press-on-with-scottish-talks-despite-episcopalian-unease

Moderator: Link between Kirk and Church of England embedded in DNA of both

From Scotland-

The Moderator of the Kirk has said its relationship with the Church of England is "one embedded in the DNA of both" in an historic address before the General Synod in London.

The Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison, who met the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, also moved to help mend “misunderstandings” over the cross-border pact between churches that had prompted concern among Episcopalians.

Most Rev David Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, said after yesterday's event he welcomed the apology from the Archbishop who accepted there had been a "cock-up" over the release of information about the plan.

More here-

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14281224.Moderator__Link_between_Kirk_and_Church_of_England_embedded_in_DNA_of_both/

Also here-

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/scotland/article4692386.ece

and here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/General-Synod-passes-historic-Columba-Declaration