Malawi’s Anglican Bishop Malasa under siege; office sealed

From Central Africa-

Some concerned Christians under the Anglican Diocese of Upper Shire have sealed Bishop Brighton Malasa’s office at the Diocese’s headquarters at Chilema in Zomba, following the collapse of dialogue between the two parties’ representatives.

Before sealing the offices, the disgruntled members presented a petition to a visibly calm Malasa who stood at the gate of his house which armed police officers guarded heavily.

In the letter, the Anglican followers are demanding that Malasa should quit with immediate effect due to alleged mismanagement of the diocese’s affairs as well as corruption allegations.

On Thursday morning, the concerned members were expected to meet the church’s leaders led by Zambia- based Provincial Secretary for Anglican Church responsible for Central Africa, William Mchombo,to address the concerns.

More here-

http://www.maravipost.com/malawis-anglican-bishop-malasa-under-siege-office-sealed/

Victim impact statements delayed in Anglican priest’s sexual abuse case

From Global News-


A former Anglican priest convicted of sexually abusing four First Nations boys decades ago was expected to hear from victims Friday in a London courtroom on Friday, but proceedings have been rescheduled for next month.

David Norton was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault and one count of sexual assault back in November in a case involving men who said the 72-year-old abused them while they were altar boys at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Chippewa of the Thames First Nation in the 1970s and ’80s.

The victims came from troubled backgrounds and grew to see Norton as father figure who provided attention and affection

More here-

https://globalnews.ca/news/4862441/victim-impact-statements-anglican-sexual-abuse-case/ 

9 couples will have their weddings acknowledged by their home congregation

From Dallas-

Bishop Gene Robinson will be the guest preacher at the Sunday morning service at the Episcopal Church of St. Thomas the Apostle.

Robinson, the first openly-gay Episcopal bishop, will be in town to celebrate the commencement of same-sex marriage in Episcopal churches in the Dallas diocese.

Nine married couples that are members of St. Thomas but married elsewhere will be blessed at the Holy Eucharist Service on Sunday morning at the celebration of “All sacraments for all people.”
“For us, it’s an emotional moment,” said St. Thomas member Carl Youngberg.

He said the former Dallas bishop opposed same-sex marriage, and it was very disappointing when George Sumner was appointed bishop and announced there would be no same-sex marriages allowed in the diocese’s churches.

More here-

https://www.dallasvoice.com/marriages-will-be-blessed-at-st-thomas/

This just in: Not all Christians agree on marriage and sex! This schism even affects their schools!

From Get Religion-

How did I miss this story?

Apparently, there is some kind of move afoot in elite media to push for the establishment of the Episcopal Church, or perhaps the United Church of Christ, as the state-mandated religion in the United States. Have you heard about this?

That’s one way to read the remarkable media response to Second Lady Karen Pence’s decision to return to the teaching at an ordinary evangelical Protestant school that attempts to defend ordinary conservative or traditional Christian doctrine on sexuality. (Yes, I am writing about this issue again.)

Why bring up Episcopalians? Well, Episcopal schools are allowed to have lifestyle and doctrinal covenants that defend their church’s evolving pronouncements blending liberal Christian faith with the editorial pages of The New York Times. Private schools — on left and right — get to define the boundaries of their voluntary associations.

More here-

https://www.getreligion.org/getreligion/2019/1/17/this-just-in-not-all-christians-agree-on-marriage-and-sex-this-schism-even-shows-up-in-their-schools

Episcopal Minister Penalized After Prohibiting Pastors in His Diocese From Officiating Same-Sex Ceremonies

From Christian News-

Michael Curry, the presiding “bishop” and primate of the apostatized Episcopal Church, has issued a partial restriction against a New York minister who recently released a directive prohibiting any pastors in his jurisdiction from officiating same-sex “weddings.”

Curry, who had been chosen to deliver a message at last year’s royal wedding in the United Kingdom, recently forbade William Love of the Diocese of Albany from participating in any disciplinary procedures against clergy in his diocese who participate in homosexual ceremonies.

“I am … persuaded that as presiding bishop I am called upon to take steps to ensure that same-sex marriage in The Episcopal Church is available to all persons to the same extent and under the same conditions in all Dioceses of the Church where same-sex marriage is civilly legal,” Curry wrote in a response published by the Episcopal News Service.

He stated that while he believes that Love’s convictions about homosexuality are sincere and of “good will,” he noted that a resolution passed last year at the General Convention, B012, requires ministers who object to same-sex “marriage” to contact another member of the clergy to officiate in their place. Therefore, Love can’t ban all clergy under his authority from officiating such ceremonies.

More here-

https://christiannews.net/2019/01/17/episcopal-minister-penalized-after-prohibiting-pastors-in-his-diocese-from-officiating-same-sex-ceremonies/

Church of England ambassador to the Vatican clarifies views on Jesus' resurrection

From Premier-

The Archbishop of Canterbury's representative in Vatican City has declared "Christ is risen!" after his views on the physical resurrection of Jesus attracted scrutiny.

Dr John Shepherd, the interim director of the Anglican Centre in Rome, took steps to clarify his stance after a video emerged of him seeming to question whether the resurrection was a "physical event" eleven years ago.

During the Easter 2008 sermon, he said: "The resurrection of Jesus ought not to be seen in physical terms, but as a new spiritual reality.

"It is important for Christians to be set free from the idea that the resurrection was an extraordinary physical event which restored to life Jesus' original earthly body."

In a new statement, Shepherd said: "There has been speculation in the press and on social media about my views on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Part of this is based on a sermon I preached in 2008.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/Church-of-England-ambassador-to-the-Vatican-clarifies-views-on-Jesus-resurrection

Anglican Bishop Attacks Gambling Companies That Target Children

From Vegas-

Dr. Alan Smith, the Bishop of St Albans in the UK, has resumed his attack on gambling operators that harm society, particularly by targeting under-18s. In his latest intervention, Smith said gambling had become a “generational scandal,” with at least 55,000 children now identified as problem gamblers.

Smith launched a major attack on the gambling companies in the Express newspaper. He said gambling is now a bigger problem for youngsters than alcohol or drugs, but there is not enough publicity about it.

He commented: “Moaning about gambling isn’t good enough – substantial change is needed. Children are the next target of an industry making billions in profits which shows little inclination to take any form of responsibility.”

He pointed out that youngsters typically are exposed to more than three advertisements for gambling every day. He added that 90% of pubs “fail to stop children from gambling on the fruit machines found in nearly every establishment.”

More here-

https://www.vegasslotsonline.com/news/2019/01/16/bishop-attacks-gambling-companies-target-children-problem-gamblers/

The Book of Common Prayer is becoming more common to all

From Ireland-

Though its influence over English life and writing since the reign of the Tudors has been immense, almost as great as the King James Bible itself, the Book of Common Prayer, the essential text for the communal life of the Anglican Communion, has long been misunderstood.

Indeed it is a book which Catholics, especially perhaps those who live in Ireland, are unaware of. This is a pity, if only from the point of view of providing a sense of history and present-day ecumenism. But this may be about to change, even here.

The Personal Ordinate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England and Wales, the ‘home in Rome’ for former Anglicans, is now allowed to use the Book of Common Prayer, making it in effect a document of the Catholic as well as Anglican Church.

So perhaps it behoves Catholics to learn more about it. This new Oxford University Press paperback edition comes with an introduction and notes which will fill in the background and the long and controversial history of the manual.

More here-

https://www.irishcatholic.com/the-book-of-common-prayer-is-becoming-more-common-to-all/

Local church helping Coast Guard families affected by government shutdown

From Mobile-

As the government shutdown enters into another day, families affected are working hard just to stay above water.

That's where churches and food pantries are stepping in to lend a helping hand.

Church of the Redeemer’s weekly community dinner is now a spot Kasey Cummings and her family can get a meal while her husband who works for the Coast Guard is not getting paid.

"You have to eat and we're fortunate enough to have this community and church be able to do that," Cummings said.

Cummings brought her two children and invited other Coast Guard families to stop by for dinner.
"We did just miss our first pay check," she said. "So, if you think about it, what do you normally buy with your pay check? Groceries and gas and things to get by on and some people just don't have that anymore."

More here-

https://mynbc15.com/news/local/local-church-helping-coast-guard-families-affected-by-government-shutdown

Archbishop of Canterbury's envoy who disputes the resurrection of Christ urged to quit Vatican post

From The Telegraph-

A row has erupted within the Church of England as senior Anglicans are calling on the Archbishop of Canterbury to force his ambassador to the Vatican to resign because he does not believe Jesus rose from the dead.

It has emerged that Dr John Shepherd, an Australian cleric appointed last week as the new representative to Rome, had delivered a sermon in which he said Christians should be “set free” from the traditional view of the resurrection.

The controversial comments, delivered while he was Dean of Perth Cathedral, have been criticised for flying in the face of the most fundamental Christian doctrines.

In a 2008 Easter sermon, he said: “It’s important for Christians to be set free from the idea that the resurrection was an extraordinary physical event, which restored to life Jesus’s original earthly body. The resurrection of Jesus ought not to be seen in physical terms, but as a new spiritual reality.”

More here-

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/12/archbishop-canterbury-urged-act-vatican-envoy-questioned-resurrection/?fbclid=IwAR2xdSXL4SoZfmId7zD54g5Iq4_lVqsZyfvGZvn_seun9tOvEdx_D_dYA9E

Over 100 Anglican clergy, critical of their bishops’ LGBT guidance, threaten to go elsewhere

From England-

More than 100 Anglican priests in the Diocese of Oxford signed a letter critical of their bishops’ advice permitting active homosexuals to receive communion and to be ordained.

The priests warned their bishops that if they fail to affirm traditional church teaching, many will seek placement outside the Oxford Diocese.

The four Oxford bishops had advised clergy in a letter last fall that “Nobody should be excluded or discouraged from receiving the sacraments of baptism or the Lord’s supper on the grounds of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” while also affirming that “LGBT+ people can be called to roles of leadership and service in the local church.”

In response, the Oxford clergy wrote to express their “grave concern.”

“We are dismayed that nowhere in the letter is there any articulation of the current teaching of the Church of England on marriage and sexual relationships, based as it is on the words of Scripture, nor is there any expressed support for it. Instead, we read references to ‘attitudes changing,’ respect for ‘different views,’ and willingness to ‘listen to different streams in the debate.’”

More here-

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/over-100-anglican-clergy-critical-of-their-bishops-lgbt-guidance-threaten-t

North Dakota officials seek dismissal of road closure suit

From North Dakota-

“The plaintiffs’ peaceful protests were disrupted by a violent criminal faction that required responsible public officials to take necessary and appropriate steps to quell a criminal riot, protect private property from criminal activity and to ensure public safety,” Nicolai said.

TigerSwan asked to be dismissed as a defendant, arguing that it had nothing to do with the decision to close the road. Attorney Lynn Boughey also asked U.S. District Judge Dan Hovland to force the plaintiffs to pay the company’s attorney fees.

The three plaintiffs are reservation businesswoman Cissy Thunderhawk, pipeline opponent Waste’Win Young and the Rev. John Floberg of St. James’ Episcopal Church in Cannon Ball. They’re suing the county, its sheriff, Burgum and Dalrymple, and the heads of the state Transportation Department and Highway Patrol.

In addition to the monetary damages, the lawsuit seeks stricter rules for road closures in such instances and class-action status, meaning it would apply to all affected people, if granted.

More here-

https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/North-Dakota-officials-seek-dismissal-of-road-closure-suit-504383701.html

Tossing Lines: A forgotten story of intrigue tucked in an attic

From New London CT-

Rummaging through my attic recently, I came upon a battered, weatherbeaten little book, its title long worn off, its pages fragile with age.

It was called “Memoirs of the Rev. Ammi Rogers A.M., A Clergyman of the Episcopal Church,” published in 1832. Rogers’ words on the title page caught my attention: “…persecuted in the State of Connecticut, on account of religion and politics, for almost twenty years” and “Falsely accused and imprisoned, in Norwich Jail, for two years…”

A local reverend persecuted and falsely imprisoned? Intrigued, I found it to be a remarkable local story indicating that the famous Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision of 1973 was born right here in our own back yard.

Born in Branford in 1770, Ammi Rogers graduated from Yale College in 1790, and chose to serve the Episcopal church.

Interning under the Rev. Jarvis in Middletown, Rogers initially boarded with the mean-spirited Jarvis family, but soon left in disgust.

This greatly insulted Jarvis, and he committed decades to relentless, cruel retaliation.

Jarvis objected when Rogers was ordained a priest in 1794, and followed him to churches in upstate New York, attempting to sabotage his career and integrity at every opportunity, through outright lies and false documentation.

More here-

 https://www.theday.com/local-news/20190115/tossing-lines-forgotten-story-of-intrigue-tucked-in-attic

Interim Director of the Anglican Centre in Rome rebuffs “resurrection” criticism

From Anglican News Service (additional link below)

A retired Anglican priest from Australia who has been chosen to lead the Anglican Centre in Rome on an interim basis has sought to rebuff criticism about his beliefs in the resurrection. The former Dean of St George’s Cathedral in Perth, Western Australia, Dr John Shepherd, was appointed as interim director last week following the resignation of Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi.

“Christ is Risen!”, Dr Shepherd said in response to widely reported criticism about his appointment. “There has been speculation in the press and on social media about my views on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Part of this is based on a sermon I preached in 2008.

“It is my faith that Jesus rose from the dead and I have never denied the reality of the empty tomb. The risen Christ was not a ghost – he ate and could be touched – but at the same time he appeared in a locked room (John 20. 26) and vanished from sight (Luke 24.31) and he was often not immediately recognised.

More here-

https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/01/interim-director-of-the-anglican-centre-in-rome-rebuffs-resurrection-criticism.aspx 

and here-

https://www.christianpost.com/news/anglican-ambassador-to-vatican-under-fire-for-saying-jesus-didnt-physically-rise-from-dead.html

Satan Claims Responsibility For Kale

From Babylon-

Amid claims that the ungodly, disgusting substance could not have possibly been conceived of by a benevolent creator, the great adversary, Satan, published a video claiming he alone was responsible for the violent attack upon humanity known as “kale.”

 

Authorities had long surmised that whoever invented the bitter, repulsive leaf cabbage did so with malevolent intent, and the dark lord’s statement confirms that kale was in fact designed to be an act of terrorism against mankind.

 

“Yes, you fools! It was me all along,” Satan said on the video posted to social media Tuesday. “Who else do you think could have deceived people into paying tons of money for horrible, overpriced organic kale chips and salads?”

More here-

https://babylonbee.com/news/satan-claims-responsibility-kale?fbclid=IwAR0Ph1Kt7bhxcM8PlOWDNz4c8AOlxWll5xf3stqZAwu1vllF7yC8y-6xTa8

Episcopal Church Prepares to Punish New York Bishop for Barring Homosexual Marriages in His Diocese

From CBN-

A New York bishop now faces disciplinary action after barring all same-sex marriages in his Albany-based diocese.

The Rev. William Love claims the church has been "hijacked by the Gay Rights Agenda," according to The Associated Press.

Last week, the Episcopal Church nullified Love's order.  Presiding Bishop Michael Curry wrote that Love's action "may constitute a canonical offense" and referred his case for disciplinary review. While the case is pending, Curry placed restrictions on Love that forbid him from penalizing clergy, laity or worshippers in the diocese for arranging or participating in same-sex marriages.

Last July, church leaders passed a Resolution B012 that gives bishops with theological objections to same-sex marriages the option of having another bishop conduct the wedding ceremony. The new policy went into effect on Dec. 2. 

Love said he would abide by the restrictions against him but would appeal any disciplinary action.

More here-

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2019/january/episcopal-church-punishes-new-york-bishop-for-barring-homosexual-marriages-in-his-diocese 

and here-

https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/01/albany-bishop-william-love-appeals-against-presiding-bishop%E2%80%99s-restriction-of-ministry.aspx

Leading evangelical bishop apologises for role in gender transition liturgy guidance – and now opposes it

From Christian Today-

A leading evangelical bishop who oversaw the production of controversial Church of England guidance about gender transitioning has apologised – and confirmed that he now doesn't back it.

The Bishop of Blackburn, Julian Henderson, was chair of the House of Bishops' Delegation Committee, the body which oversaw the publication of guidance last month on how to use the existing Affirmation of Baptismal Faith to enable transgender adults to mark their transition.

When the guidance was published, the official Church of England website quoted Bishop Henderson as saying: 'This new guidance provides an opportunity, rooted in scripture, to enable trans people who have "come to Christ as the way, the truth and the life", to mark their transition in the presence of their Church family which is the body of Christ. We commend it for wider use.'

But just a few days later, the Bishop was the lead signatory on a statement from the Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC), of which he is president. The CEEC statement described the guidance as 'highly divisive and theologically and pastorally questionable'. The statement said the guidance 'also risks raising serious concerns both within the wider Anglican Communion and ecumenically'.

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/exclusive-leading-evangelical-bishop-apologises-for-role-in-gender-transition-liturgy-guidance-and-now-opposes-it/131451.htm

Archbishop of Canterbury's envoy who disputes the resurrection of Christ urged to quit Vatican post

From The Telegraph-

A row has erupted within the Church of England as senior Anglicans are calling on the Archbishop of Canterbury to force his ambassador to the Vatican to resign because he does not believe Jesus rose from the dead.

It has emerged that Dr John Shepherd, an Australian cleric appointed last week as the new representative to Rome, had delivered a sermon in which he said Christians should be “set free” from the traditional view of the resurrection.

The controversial comments, delivered while he was Dean of Perth Cathedral, have been criticised for flying in the face of the most fundamental Christian doctrines.

In a 2008 Easter sermon, he said: “It’s important for Christians to be set free from the idea that the resurrection was an extraordinary physical event, which restored to life Jesus’s original earthly body. The resurrection of Jesus ought not to be seen in physical terms, but as a new spiritual reality.”

More here-

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/12/archbishop-canterbury-urged-act-vatican-envoy-questioned-resurrection/