Episcopal Church holds hearing for bishop who refused to allow gay marriages in diocese

From Christian Post-

The Episcopal Church held a hearing in the case of a bishop who refused to allow for the blessing of same-sex marriages in his diocese.

Bishop William Love of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany was punished last year with a restriction on his ministerial duties after refusing to allow gay marriages in his diocese.

His case was brought before a Title IV Hearing Panel, which focuses on issues of ecclesiastical discipline whenever a clergyman is accused of misconduct.

Originally scheduled for April 21 before the shutdowns over coronavirus concerns, the hearing was held via Zoom teleconference on June 12 and posted on social media.

The teleconference hearing did not address the theological validity of Love’s views, but rather focused on whether the bishop’s actions violated Episcopal Church law.

More here-

https://www.christianpost.com/news/episcopal-church-holds-hearing-for-bishop-who-refused-to-allow-gay-marriages-in-diocese.html

In disciplinary hearing, Albany Bishop William Love defends prohibition of same-sex marriage in his diocese

From ENS-

The dispute over Albany Bishop William Love’s prohibition of same-sex marriage in his diocese took a major step forward at a hearing on June 12, when The Episcopal Church laid out its charges of canonical violations against Love, whose counsel defended his actions as not conflicting with existing church canon law.

The hearing, conducted under the church’s Title IV disciplinary process, was originally scheduled to take place on April 21 in Colonie, New York, but was changed to a Zoom meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Title IV hearings are held when a member of clergy is accused of breaking their vows, or violating the church’s constitution and canons.

In this case, the church argued that, by prohibiting clergy in his diocese from using the same-sex marriage rites approved for churchwide use by General Convention, Love broke the vows he took when he was ordained a bishop to “conform to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of The Episcopal Church.”

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/06/12/in-disciplinary-hearing-albany-bishop-william-love-defends-prohibition-of-same-sex-marriage-in-his-diocese/

Albany bishop’s Title IV hearing in same-sex marriage case postponed

From ENS-

The Title IV hearing panel dealing with Albany Bishop William Love’s refusal to allow same-sex marriages in his diocese has been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was originally set to take place on April 21 in Colonie, New York.

In 2018, after the passage of General Convention Resolution B012 — which allows same-sex marriages to be performed across the church, wherever it is legal to do so — Love issued a letter stating he would not abide by the resolution and would continue to block same-sex marriages in his diocese. During a House of Bishops meeting in September 2019, it was announced that Love would face a hearing under the church’s Title IV disciplinary process.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/04/22/albany-bishop-loves-title-iv-hearing-in-same-sex-marriage-case-postponed/

A trial that should shame all Anglicans

From Christian Today-

Turns out, however, that Bishop Curry seems to have forgotten his own sermon – at least if his treatment of a fellow bishop in the US is anything to go by. For in a few weeks' time the Bishop of Albany, William Love, will go on trial, after Michael Curry restricted his ministry just over a year ago.

You might rightly wonder about Bishop Love's crime.  Was he siphoning off diocesan money, for example? Has he had a series of secret affairs? Does he not believe the Bible or deny that Jesus is the Christ? Has he, perish the thought, engaged in repugnant sexual acts with children?

But no. Bishop Love has done none of those things. Bishop Love stands accused of believing what most Christians – Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Pentecostal, Evangelical, and indeed Anglican – believe, and have always believed, about sex and marriage. His crime, if one can call it that, is not to permit same-sex marriages in his diocese.

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/a-trial-that-should-shame-all-anglicans/134377.htm

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry partially restricts Bishop William Love’s authority for refusing to obey General Convention

From ENS-

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has temporarily restricted part of Diocese of Albany Bishop William Love’s ministry because of Love’s refusal to allow same-sex marriages after General Convention mandated liturgical marriage equality in the church’s U.S. dioceses.

Love is “forbidden from participating in any matter regarding any member of the clergy that involves the issue of same-sex marriage,” Curry said in a document released Jan. 11. The restriction applies both to the Episcopal Church’s formal Title IV disciplinary process and to any action “that has or may have the effect of penalizing in any way any member of the clergy or laity or worshipping congregation of his diocese for their participation in the arrangements for or participation in a same-sex marriage in his diocese or elsewhere.”

The restriction appears to enable clergy in the upstate New York diocese to solemnize the marriages of gay and lesbian couples, something Love steadfastly refused to allow.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/01/11/presiding-bishop-bars-albany-bishop-from-punishing-priests-for-same-sex-marriages-seeks-discipline-proceeding-for-possible-canonical-offense/

 

Bishop Love listening to pros and cons

From Albany-

Albany Episcopal Bishop William H. Love has gotten lots of feedback, both pro and con, since releasing his "pastoral direction" on Saturday outlawing the officiating of same-sex weddings in the Episcopal Diocese of Albany.

"I have received hundreds of emails and phone calls from all over the United States as well as Canada, Europe, Central America and New Zealand," said Love, in a written statement Thursday. "Most have been very encouraging and supportive of the stand I have taken upholding Holy Scripture and the Church's traditional understanding of Christian marriage, which dates back over 2,000 years.
"However, there are also a number of emails that are opposed to the actions I have taken and have expressed the anger and hurt they feel. I can understand and appreciate the variety of views that have been expressed."

Love's directive came after meeting with Episcopal priests from the Albany Diocese in September, following the passage of Resolution BO12 in July at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas. That directive, while not allowing same-sex marriage to become part of the denomination's theology, did make it OK for Episcopal ministers to conduct same-sex weddings. While 93 bishops concurred with the decision, Love was one of eight from around the U.S. who continue to prohibit same-sex weddings in their diocese.

More here-

https://dailygazette.com/article/2018/11/15/bishop-love-listening-to-pros-and-cons

Episcopal Bishop of Albany Rejects 'Gay Marriage,' a 'Lie' From 'Satan'

More from Albany-

The Rt. Rev. William H. Love, the Episcopal bishop of Albany, N.Y., released a "pastoral directive" on Nov. 10 stating that recently approved "gay marriage" rites shall "not be used anywhere" by the clergy in his diocese. He also stated that people in the Episcopal Church who think same-sex marriage is a good thing "have been deceived into believing a lie" spun by the "great deceiver" -- Satan.

In July, the Episcopal Church leaders voted to approve Resolution B012, which set the policy for performing gay marriages. The policy provides "gender-neutral marriage rites" and affirms that Episcopal clergy may perform the rite even if their bishop objects. Episcopal priests perfomring the gay marriages are allowed to seek "pastoral support" from a bishop of another diocese, if needed.  The new rite is scheduled to go into effect in December. 

More here-

https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/michael-w-chapman/episcopal-bishop-albany-rejects-gay-marriage-lie-satan

and here-

https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/30643-ny-episcopal-bishop-bans-same-sex-marriages

and here-

https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/albanys-episcopal-bishop-bans-sex-marriages-dioceses-churches

and here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/11/14/tensions-rise-in-diocese-of-albany-over-bishops-rejection-same-sex-marriage-compromise/

After Episcopal bishop's marriage stance, a church ponders the future

From Albany-

After Bishop William Love released a strongly worded letter definitively rejecting gay marriage in the Episcopal diocese of Albany – and directly opposing the stance of the national church – those who agree with the bishop and those who disagree considered the future of the diocese.

The big question: What next? Parishioners leaving churches? Or even whole churches splitting away, complete with legal and property disputes? The short answer: No one knows. Much will depend on the formal response from the U.S. Episcopal Church, which has not yet taken specific action or suggested what such action might entail.

More here-

https://www.timesunion.com/7dayarchive/article/After-Episcopal-bishop-s-letter-on-gay-marriage-13389071.php

Episcopal bishop goes against church leaders, bans same-sex marriages

About Albany (More links below)-

An Episcopal bishop in upstate New York says the church has been "hijacked by the 'Gay Rights Agenda'" in a directive barring same-sex marriages in his diocese.

The pastoral directive from The Rev. William Love, who is based in Albany, New York, highlights lingering opposition three weeks before a resolution goes into effect setting rules for same-sex marriages in Episcopal churches nationwide. Love's letter sent Saturday said the policy going into effect Dec. 2 "turns upside down over 2000 years of Church teaching" about marriage.

"The Episcopal Church and Western Society have been hijacked by the 'Gay Rights Agenda,' which is very well organized, very strategic, very well financed, and very powerful," Love wrote in the eight-page letter.

More here-

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/episcopal-bishop-goes-against-church-leaders-bans-same-sex-marriages-n935491 

and here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/11/12/albany-bishop-rejects-general-convention-compromise-on-gay-marriage-refuses-to-allow-rites/

and here-

https://poststar.com/news/local/local-churches-react-to-albany-episcopal-bishop-s-same-sex/article_6b83153b-6e65-5d92-b751-8fba05bc664f.html

and here-

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

and here-

https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/us-episcopal-diocese-same-sex-marriage/2018/11/12/id/890295/

and here-

https://www.whec.com/news/top-episcopal-responds-to-same-sex-marriage-ban/5142243/?cat=565

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

Episcopalian leader hears tense crowd

From Albany-

Albany Episcopal Bishop William Love stood before 125 church members Tuesday night during an often tense give-and-take about the church's future.

"I realize emotions are high, feelings are high,'' said Love, standing at the edge of the altar in St. Paul's Church for nearly two hours.

The Episcopal Church is split by the ongoing debate over the ordination of gay and lesbians and the blessing of sex same unions.

"We are a divided church. There's no question we are a divided church,'' said Sheridan Biggs of St. Paul's Church in Schenectady, who indicated his uneasiness with the direction at the national level to support ordination and the blessing.

"What state we are in when we get through this, only God knows that,'' said Love, who is counted among the Episcopal Church's conservative bishops. He urged Biggs to stay in the church.

Members of Albany Via Media, a group of moderate to liberal Episcopalians, were in a distinct minority at the first of several regional meetings Love is holding to discuss the recent Episcopal General Convention.

Keith St. John, a local board member and Via Media USA liaison, questioned Love on what he's doing to hold the Episcopal Church together and said he was "bothered" by the bishop's references to the decision being "Satan driven."

More here-

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=839706

Group wants to question Love

From Albany-

A grass-roots Episcopal group wants to question Bishop William Love on whether he intends to lead the Albany diocese out of the Episcopal Church.

Albany Via Media, a group of moderate to liberal Episcopalians, is lining up parishioners to attend Love's seven meetings around the diocese in September and October.

"We are trying to have members asking the question at every meeting,'' said Clair Touby of Saranac Lake, president of Albany Via Media.

Love will visit St. Paul's Church, 58 Third St., Troy, at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday for evening prayer and to discuss the Episcopal Church's General Convention in July in Anaheim, Calif.

Episcopal bishops voted at the convention to reaffirm that the ordained ministry is open to gays and lesbians. That vote was opposed by conservative bishops, including Love.

Ever since Bishop V. Gene Robinson was elected by the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire as the church's first openly gay bishop in 2003, the church has split over the issue of gay clergy.

Dennis Wisnom of Schenectady, an Albany Via Media board member, said Love would talk at the meetings about the opening of the clergy and the development of blessing for same sex unions. The Albany Episcopal Diocese's rules do not allow same sex marriages or blessings of same sex unions.

Wisnom said Albany Via Media doesn't want the diocese to leave the Episcopal Church as four other dioceses around the country have done.

Last week, Love and six other conservative bishops met privately with the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in London, the Episcopal News Service reported.

More here-

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=839083&category=SCHENECTADY