Hearing date set for Episcopal bishop who defied same-sex marriage order

From Albany-

The Rev. William H. Love will stand before a five-person disciplinary board in April to explain his refusal to follow an Episcopal Church resolution forbidding bishops from stopping same-sex weddings.

In a letter addressed to his diocese earlier this week, Love said the hearing will be held at the Desmond Hotel April 21. A start time has not been given, but Love said he expected the hearing to start mid-morning and last a few hours.

"Both sides have agreed that there are no contested facts regarding my actions and neither side will be presenting witnesses," Love wrote. "Instead, the attorneys will be making arguments as to what the canon law requires."

More here-

 https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Hearing-date-set-for-Episcopal-bishop-who-defied-15001924.php

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

U.S. Episcopal Church issues restriction against Albany Bishop

More From Albany- (additional links at the bottom)

The U.S. Episcopal Church, responding to the Albany bishop’s continued ban on gay marriage despite national approval, has issued a “Partial Restriction on Ministry” prohibiting him from penalizing anyone for participating in same-sex rites while his conduct is further examined by the church.

In a statement issued Friday morning, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry announced that Bishop William Love “is forbidden from participating in any manner in the Church’s disciplinary process in the Diocese of Albany in any matter regarding any member of the clergy that involves the issue of same-sex marriage.”

More here-

https://www.timesunion.com/7dayarchive/article/U-S-Episcopal-Church-issues-restriction-against-13526487.php 

And here-

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/article224288580.html

and here-

https://www.christianpost.com/news/episcopal-church-head-michael-curry-punishes-ny-bishop-who-wont-allow-gay-marriage-in-diocese.html

and here-

https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2019/01/us-bishop-faces-partial-restriction-on-ministry-over-same-sex-marriage-stance.aspx

and here-

https://onenewsnow.com/church/2019/01/11/episcopal-bishop-punished-for-banning-same-sex-marriage-in-diocese

Bishop Duncan-Probe responds to Bishop Love’s November 10th Pastoral Letter and Directive

From Central NY-

Following the recent statement of Bishop Love of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York has issued a statement, available in full below.

Bishop Duncan-Probe is the Vice-President of Province II of The Episcopal Church, which includes the Dioceses of Albany, Central New York, the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, Cuba, Haiti, Long Island, Newark, New Jersey, New York, Rochester, Western New York, and the Virgin Islands. In addition, under an agreement with Bishop Love, Bishop Duncan-Probe exercises Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) over one congregation in the Diocese of Albany: St. Andrew’s, Albany. DEPO means that Bishop Duncan-Probe includes the congregation in her regular rotation of Sunday visitations, and provides pastoral care and oversight to the parish’s clergy. The parish remains under the authority of Bishop Love. 

A statement on the matter from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry of The Episcopal Church may be found here.

More here-

https://cnyepiscopal.org/2018/11/bishop-duncan-probe-responds-to-bishop-loves-november-10th-pastoral-letter-and-directive/?fbclid=IwAR09mnb2-xcQgsjRK735UP9FT-MzDOMHe2gGYqKx9O9RDc3zls_j4IdshqA

Albany Episcopal Bishop outlaws same-sex marriage in his churches

From Albany-

Albany Episcopal Diocese Bishop Rev. William H. Love issued an edict Saturday banning the marriage of same-sex couples in the diocese's churches, writing in a statement that the church has been "hijacked by the 'Gay Rights Agenda,'" and that "Satan is
having a heyday bringing division into the Church."

Love's eight-page statement that accompanied his new pastoral directive comes three weeks before a resolution goes into effect that will allow same-sex marriages to be performed in Episcopal churches nationwide. That day, Dec. 2, is also the first day of Advent, a time observed in many Christian churches in the weeks before Christmas.

More here-

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Albany-Episcopal-Bishop-outlaws-same-sex-marriage-13381964.php

Episcopalians move slowly toward same-sex marriage

From Albany-

When the General Convention of the Episcopal Church changed its canonical definition of marriage in 2015 to include the term "gender-neutral," it seemed like a huge victory for proponents of same-sex marriage.

And earlier this month in Austin, Texas, the General Convention took another step and passed Resolution B012, ensuring that all Episcopalians, regardless of sex, could be married in their own church building using same-sex liturgies.

Another victory?

Perhaps, but to Episcopalians in the Capital Region, the impact of the decision isn't so clear. Rev. Brad Jones at Christ Church on State Street in Schenectady, who aligns himself with the more traditional view of marriage espoused by Bishop William Love of the Albany Episcopal Diocese, isn't sure how Resolution B012 will actually work.

"The issue went back and forth between the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops, and what they came up with was a compromise resolution that will allow same-sex marriages to take place around the country according to state law and practices," said Jones, who was a delegate at the General Convention. "The people on the traditional side of marriage, and the people on the progressive side, well, no one came away with what they wanted."

More here-

https://dailygazette.com/article/2018/07/28/episcopals-move-slowly-toward-same-sex-equality

Ex-Episcopal priests now embracing Catholicism

From Albany-

The Rev. Larry Gipson retired in 2008 as rector at the 8,000-member St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Houston, where his parishioners included former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara.

Last month, Gipson, who has been married for 48 years, was accepted as a Catholic into the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, a structure set up by Pope Benedict XVI to accept former Anglicans into the Catholic Church.

The 70-year-old cleric will be among 69 candidates for Catholic priesthood meeting this weekend in Houston at the ordinariate's headquarters.

The Rev. Matthew Venuti of Mobile, Ala., became the first ex-Episcopal priest ordained a Catholic priest in the ordinariate, which covers the United States and Canada.


Read more:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Ex-Episcopal-priests-now-embracing-Catholicism-4082110.php#ixzz2DnvblUI7

Also here in the Washington Post-

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/former-rector-of-nations-largest-episcopal-church-becomes-a-catholic/2012/11/30/22e6e180-3b11-11e2-9258-ac7c78d5c680_story.html

Bishop Love's Letter to the People of the Diocese of Albany

From Albany-

June 30, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Earlier today, I received an email copy of a letter dated June 29, 2012, from the Rt. Rev’d Clayton Matthews. I was one of seven bishops addressed in the letter. The other bishops include: The Rt. Rev’d Maurice M. Benitez, The Rt. Rev’d John W. Howe, The Rt. Rev’d Paul E. Lambert, The Rt. Rev’d D. Bruce MacPherson, The Rt. Rev’d Daniel H. Martins, and the Rt. Rev’d James M. Stanton.

In the letter, Bishop Matthews states, “As the Intake Officer for the Church, I am obliged to inform you that a complaint has been received against you for your action in filing of Amicus Curiae Brief in the pending appeal in the Supreme Court of Texas in opposition to The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and The Episcopal Church. In the next few weeks, I will initiate a disciplinary process according to Title IV Canon 6 Sec. 3 & 4 of the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church.”


More here-

http://www.albanyepiscopaldiocese.org/

Bishop: Episcopal Church must change

From Albany-

The Episcopal Church must embrace change and diversity if it is to move forward, the presiding bishop of the 2.4 million member church said Friday.

"We need to discover ways to engage in the outside community," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said, in urging the 125 delegates attending the Province II Synod of the Episcopal Church to recognize that while many believe the church is an unchanging rock, it too slowly evolves.

"'We are beginning to discover a way forward into a new chapter in the church's history," Jefferts Schori said. "If we are going to save the life of the church, we are going to have to lose it."

The Episcopal Church draws strength from its growing immigrant population who know the value of community, Jefferts Schori said. Even though this is labeled a time of connectivity via the Internet, she said, there is a spiritual hunger that needs to be filled in person.

"We value the voices of all in decision making," Jefferts Schori said.

Read more:

 http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Bishop-Episcopal-Church-must-change-3535279.php#ixzz1tzXZlwQu

Pawn-ticket trail leads to suspects

From New York-

From pulpit to pawn shop is a journey few burglars or cops take.

And it's a long trip when the path to pawning religious artifacts leads two alleged criminals on a bus ride to New Haven.

Police in that Connecticut city charged Joseph Plouffe, 32, of 310 25th St., Watervliet, and James Zaremski, 30, of 25 Holland Ave., Albany, with third-degree grand larceny, accusing them of intending to pawn sterling silver items stolen this past weekend from St. John's Episcopal Church in Troy.

Plouffe was apprehended Tuesday at Superior Exchange after the pawn shop notified police of the religious items. Zaremski was collared at the intersection of Chapel and Church streets on the New Haven Green a short time later.

Read more:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Pawn-ticket-trail-leads-to-suspects-3490695.php#ixzz1sU1Ym8tC

Silver artifacts taken from Troy church

From Troy NY-

City police are investigating the theft of nine religious artifacts from St. John's Episcopal Church over the weekend.

The theft of the sterling silver pieces occurred Friday evening or Saturday morning from the church at 146 First St., police said Monday.

Stolen from the sanctuary were two chalices (goblets), two lavaboes (which hold water for the washing of hands), two patens (small plates), one cruet (a vessel), one ciborium (a container for the host) and one collection plate.

In an unusual twist, the thief "was able to 'swipe' his way into the church, defeating electronic security measures," Capt. John Cooney said.

Read more:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Silver-artifacts-taken-from-Troy-church-3485309.php#ixzz1sIHcyigp

Old church takes bold new step

From Schenectady-

The historic St. George's Church in Schenectady's historic Stockade neighborhood made some notable history on Sunday.

The parish had its first Mass under a new arrangement never before tried in the Episcopal Church in which a unit of a conservatively led diocese breaks away to be coached by a more liberal one.

The goal is to open the church to more ideas, such as allowing gays to become pastors or feel more welcome or the words of the Scripture to be read for modern interpretation.
The congregates of the more than 250-year-old church, a modest stone building near the Mohawk River, did something no other group anywhere in the Episcopal world has done before, according to church leaders.

The St. George worshipers creatively used a process called "Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight," or DEPO, to roam from the theological orientation of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany, a bastion of conservative thinking, according to church elders.

Read more:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Old-church-takes-bold-new-step-3433929.php#ixzz1qDiaSAzT

A tale of sacrifice in glass

From Albany-

The great-great-grandsons of two Civil War soldiers are searching for a memorial to the 169th New York Infantry Regiment that was a stained-glass window in St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Menands for nearly a century.

For Bill Connelly of Northumberland and Steven Wiezbicki of Fort Collins, Colo., the window is a tie to their ancestors who fought with the famed 169th, which also was known as the Troy Regiment.

When churches close, items of religious significance may stay in the building, be transferred to a sister congregation, put in storage or sold. In rare instances, materials may become available when a church is demolished.

Tracking down the window from St. Margaret's has been difficult for Connelly and Wiezbicki because the one-story brick Episcopal chapel was sold 28 years ago to Cornerstone Christian Church. The nondenominational congregation, also known as the Road to Damascus Church, paid $45,000 for the building on Brookside Avenue, just west of Menands Village Hall. The window was removed sometime after 1984.

Read more:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/A-tale-of-sacrifice-in-glass-3343173.php#ixzz1mvbSrzus

Episcopal parishes seek leeway

From Albany-

At least three parishes are exploring a move that would release them from pastoral oversight by the conservative Episcopal Diocese of Albany.

They are contemplating what the church calls "Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight," known by its acronym of DEPO, which was formalized in 2004 as a response to conservative parishes' reactions to the ordination of gay clergy and other issues related to sexuality.

"Initially DEPO was designed to deal with theologically conservative parishes that are located in more theologically minded liberal dioceses," Bishop William H. Love said Friday.

"The reverse is occurring in the Diocese of Albany. Albany has been a traditionally conservative theological diocese," the bishop said.

Love said the diocese first met in December with clergy and parish representatives to discuss this situation.

The parishes would remain within the jurisdiction of the Albany diocese, but pastoral care of the Albany parishes could possibly be delegated to the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, which is based in Syracuse.

Read more:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Episcopal-parishes-seek-leeway-3261580.php#ixzz1m4lrd0BP

Marriage in Albany

From The Living Church-

Sara Tracey, an intern at the Albany Times Union, writes about Joseph Eppink and Ralph Panelli, who plan to avail themselves of New York’s new law on same-sex marriage:

Both men are religious — Eppink is Episcopalian, Panelli is Roman Catholic — so a church wedding was necessary for them.

The couple booked the First Lutheran Church in Albany, Babcock’s place of worship. They said they would have loved to have the ceremony in Eppink’s church, but Bishop William Love of the Albany Episcopal Diocese has barred priests from participating in same-sex marriage ceremonies.

Bishop Love issued a pastoral letter June 30 that reminded the diocese of two canons regarding marriage, which Albany’s diocesan convention adopted in 2008.

He wrote in the same pastoral letter:

I am very aware that while the overwhelming majority of the people and clergy of the Diocese of Albany do not and cannot support the new marriage legislation. There are some very well meaning people in the Diocese who are sympathetic to and support the legalization of same-gender marriages and the blessing of such unions. We all know this has been and is a very emotional and highly charged issue.

Our Church has a long-standing commitment to acknowledge homosexual persons as loved by God, and as recipients of pastoral care within the Church. It is my hope and prayer that every parish in the Diocese of Albany will welcome and share God’s love with anyone who is seeking a deeper relationship with and desiring to worship and serve our Lord Jesus Christ.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2011/8/9/marriage-in-albany

An officer and a clergyman: Police chaplain pounds a religious beat

From Albany-

Paul M. Carney: Troy police officer for nearly 35 years currently assigned to City Court, a deacon at St. John's Episcopal Church and a chaplain at Samaritan Hospital and for the city police department.

Background: Carney, 55, was reared in South Troy, where he attended St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. He is a graduate of Catholic Central High School and Hudson Valley Community College. He's collected toy trains, been a ham radio operator and has flown kites since he was a boy. He and his wife, Marilyn, live in North Greenbush and have two adult children.

Why did you become a police officer?

I wanted to help people. I did consider becoming a priest. That was in my teen years, but I liked dating. My three sisters worked in the rectory. Had I known the Episcopal Church, I probably would be looking at 35 years as a priest.

What led you to the Episcopal Church?

A bagel and a cup of coffee at Bruegger's on Congress Street, where I encountered the Rev. Hap Carrier, pastor of St. John's. He was my religion instructor in high school. I was dissatisfied with the Catholic Church, and Carney stood in the back of St. John's during work breaks on Sunday listening to the services. My wife and I found the congregation friendly and welcoming, so we joined.

More here-

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/An-officer-and-a-clergyman-Police-chaplain-834869.php

Ex-Episcopal bishop returns to flock

From Albany-

A conservative former Episcopal bishop of Albany who left the church in 2007 to become a Roman Catholic has now returned to his former faith.

Daniel W. Herzog became an outspoken national opponent of ordaining gay clergy after he retired from the ministry in 2007. He made news that year when he and two other diocesan bishops left the Episcopal Church to join the Roman Catholic Church.
The Episcopal Church, the American wing of the worldwide Anglican Communion, had been in turmoil following the consecration in 2003 of V. Gene Robinson as its first openly gay bishop.

Herzog's return was announced this week by Albany Bishop William Love. Both Herzog and his wife, Carol, left the church. Herzog was one of only a handful of Episcopal bishops ever to join another church.

"Carol and I are grateful for the continuing opportunity to serve our Lord and His church in the Diocese of Albany," Herzog said in a statement. "My only plan is to assist in any way Bishop Bill directs. We are honored to resume a fuller place among the clergy and laity of the diocese."

The Albany diocese has joined with the conservative branch of the church in opposing same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay clergy, said Robert Dodd, president of Albany Via Media, an Anglican laity group that opposed Herzog's steering of the diocese into a more conservative position.

Dodd said Herzog was right to leave the church because the bishop opposed some of its central beliefs.


Read more:

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=927358#ixzz0mrMz0g65

Another story from Catholic Culture-

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=6205

ALBANY: Retired Albany Bishop Daniel Herzog rejoins the Episcopal Church

From Episcopal Life Online-

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued an order for Restoration of Ordained Ministry for retired Bishop of Albany Daniel W. Herzog, who left the Episcopal Church in March 2007 to join the Roman Catholic Church.
"I am delighted at his return to ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church," said Jefferts Schori.

The presiding bishop issued the order after "full consultation and on the recommendation of Diocese of Albany Bishop William H. Love," according to a news release from the church's Office of Public Affairs due to be posted here.

Love announced Herzog's return to the Episcopal Church April 30 at the diocese's priests retreat at Christ the King Spiritual Life Center in Greenwich, New York, where Herzog was invited to celebrate the closing Eucharist.

"Though he has never really been absent from our common life, I want to formally welcome Bishop Dan and Carol back to the full communion of the diocese and the wider church," said Love in a statement included in the news release. "During the past three years, they have continued to support the work of the diocese and to participate in a non-ordained capacity."

Love said that Herzog's "restored role will be of help in carrying out the work of the church, and I will be asking him to assist in this diocese under my direction as is true of any retired bishop."

Love, who was consecrated Sept. 16, 2006, succeeded Herzog after the latter's retirement.

Carol Herzog, the bishop's wife, also left the Episcopal Church in March 2007.

"I want to extend my deep appreciation to Bishop Love and to Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori for their kindness and pastoral solicitude," said Herzog in his statement in the news release. "Carol and I are grateful for the continuing opportunity to serve our Lord and His church in the Diocese of Albany. My only plan is to assist in any way Bishop Bill directs. We are honored to resume a fuller place among the clergy and laity of the diocese."

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_121955_ENG_HTM.htm

Belief in healing through prayer is at the core of his ministry

From Albany-

The Rev. Nigel Mumford: Director of healing ministries for the Albany Episcopal Diocese, based at the Christ the King Spiritual Life Center in Greenwich, Washington County.

Background: 55. Originally from Plymouth, England. He was a drill instructor with the British Royal Marines. Visited the United States in the 1970s and immigrated in 1980. He was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church in June of 2005, and was later ordained to the priesthood in December 2005. Has been at the center in Greenwich for five years.
He has written several books on healing ministries including "Hand to Hand: From Combat to Healing" and "The Forgotten Touch." He lives in Greenwich with his wife, Lynn, and has two grown stepchildren.

How does your ministry work?

We have a healing service once a week on Tuesdays and a soaking prayer service on Wednesday where we pray over those who need healing. We also have a prayer team of 37 people who pray for those who need healing.

How did you come to the healing ministry?

My sister had dystonia, which is a very unusual disease. Her body was crippled and stuck in the fetal position, but eight times a day, all her muscles would spasm. She was expected to die, but a man prayed for her and she got better almost immediately. Witnessing that miracle changed my life.

Read more:

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=911233&category=SARATOGA#ixzz0i3kY3mOS

A HUNGER TO HELP: St. Paul’s food bank reports increasing need

From Albany-

When St. Paul’s Episcopal Church opened its food pantry in September, the giving and getting got off to a slow start.

“It was just me and my daughter and four other people,” said Martha, a Jeffersonville resident who declined to give her last name for this story.

A few months can make a world of difference. Within the first 10 minutes that the food bank opened its doors on a recent Wednesday, residents from a number of area households packed the church basement where the food bank takes place.

A line of people stretched around metal pantry shelves, industrial refrigerators and checker-clothed tables seeking out items. Trays of meat, paper cartons of juice and boxes of cereal were grabbed andshoved into bags as quickly as they were laid out.

Martha said she shops at local grocery stores as well, but having a food bank available “really helps” when it comes to making ends meet on her disability income.

It’s a free-choice bank, rather than one wherein preloaded boxes of food are handed out. Residents can take the items off shelves and tables similar to the way patrons shop a grocery store.

“This is a lot better,” she said.

On the last Wednesday in January, in the two-hour period that the bank stays open each Wednesday, about 23 people came into the church basement, said The Rev. Steve Benner.

More here-

http://www.newsandtribune.com/local/local_story_034203732.html