FORT WORTH: Gulick to extend term as provisional bishop till November

The Rt. Rev. Edwin F. Gulick Jr. will extend his initial six-month term as provisional bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth by about five months, until at least mid-November, according to a statement released by the diocese.
"It is very wonderful that the Holy Spirit and the people of Fort Worth have entrusted me with such an important ministry at such a significant time," Gulick said in a June 3 press release that also noted the recent appointment of an assistant diocesan chancellor and growth among some displaced diocesan congregations.

"My visitations to Episcopal parishes here have been some of the most fulfilling of my episcopacy," added Gulick, who was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky in 1994. Since February 2009, when he was unanimously elected provisional bishop of the reconstituted Fort Worth diocese, he has divided his time between the two. Initially, he intended to stay long enough to represent both dioceses at the July 8-17 General Convention in Anaheim.

"I am moved and energized by the clarity, the passion for the Gospel, and the profound commitment to the mission of the Episcopal Church that is evident in all our parishes and faith communities," said Gulick. He will continue to serve until after the November 13-14 diocesan convention.

The Diocese of Kentucky's standing committee supported the extension at an April meeting, according to the Rev. Dr. William J. Watson III, standing committee president and rector of Grace Church in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

More here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/81803_108923_ENG_HTM.htm

Minister wants joint martyrs celebration

ETHICS and integrity state minister James Nsaba Buturo has criticised the Catholic and Anglican churches for holding different Martyrs’ Day celebrations.

He said whilst Christians served the same God, they betrayed the spirit of brotherhood by having different celebrations.

Whilst both faiths commemorate the day, the Catholic celebrations are more pronounced.

“Christianity is supposed to unite us. I want to see Anglicans and Catholics having one big celebration for Martyrs’ Day,” Buturo said.

However, the Bishop of Mukono Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Paul Luzinda, said Buturo “should revise his books regarding the different celebrations”.

The Anglican Church seceded from the Catholic Church due to irreconcilable differences in the early 1800s, he said.

“The secession is all about the church’s history. Buturo is a Christian and I expect him to know this. More so, separate missionaries introduced the two religions in Uganda,” he said.

June 3 every year is Martyrs’ Day, a day when Christians celebrate the 45 Christians, who were killed by Kabaka Mwanga for refusing to denounce their faith.

The Martyrs had converted to Christianity, a foreign religion imported by two missionaries, Fr. Lourdel Mon Pere, nicknamed Mapeera, and Br. Amons in 1789.

Mwanga had vehemently opposed Christianity and accused the 45 of worshipping a God they had never seen.

Some historians say Christianity was a tool used by Britain to colonise Africa.

The rest is here-

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/683417

Historic covenant signed by leaders

HUNDREDS of Catholic and Anglican clergy and parishioners as well as leaders from other Christian Churches gathered in St Stephen’s Cathedral to celebrate the signing of a new Covenant of Understanding between the two Churches.

Speaking after the May 29 event, Archbishop John Bathersby of Brisbane said “the signing of the covenant will bring our two Communions closer together in the future”.

“We live in a secular culture and the more Christians from different Communions bind together to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ so much the better.”

Archbishop Bathersby, Bishop William Morris of Toowoomba and Anglican Archbishop Phillip Aspinall of Brisbane were joint signatories to the covenant at a combined act of worship.

The Celebration of Common Sesquicentenary and Signing of Anglican-Roman Catholic Covenant was celebrated on the 25th anniversary of Catholic Archbishop Francis Rush and Anglican Archbishop John Grindrod’s signing of a Common Declaration in support of ecumenical co-operation in St John’s Cathedral in Brisbane.

Archbishop Aspinall, in his homily at the May 29 event, said it “is a real joy for me to speak on this historic occasion”.

He thanked Archbishop Bathersby for the invitation to do so, continuing “tonight we celebrate a long, patient and very significant movement of God’s spirit in our two traditions and commit ourselves to move further together”.

The signing of the covenant by Archbishops Bathersby and Aspinall and Bishop Morris was a highlight of the ceremony.

More here-

http://www.catholicleader.com.au/index.php?id=4917

MIDDLE EAST: Jerusalem diocese receives $250,000 grant for healthcare training program

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem is undertaking a training program in neurosurgery made possible by a US$250,000 grant from the TATWEER Association, a non-governmental development center based in Ramallah, with funding coming from the World Bank.
Under the direction of Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem Suheil Dawani and his coordinator for healthcare institutions and services, Dr. Hisham Nassar, the project is providing three months of specialized neurosurgery training for two doctors and nine nurses from St. Luke's Hospital in Nablus. St. Luke's is one of two hospitals run by the diocese, the other being the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza.

"The field of neurosurgery was prioritized by the Palestinian Health ministry," according to a news release from the Jerusalem diocese.

For the training, two medical centers have been chosen -- the Palestine Hospital in Amman and the ein Karem Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem. The program will include training in emergency room services, intensive care, and orthopedic units.

After the completion of the three-month program, the trainees will return to St. Luke's Hospital, which recently employed two new neurosurgery specialists.

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81808_108868_ENG_HTM.htm

Facing Six-Figure Deficit, CDSP Cuts Staff

Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) has announced that five full-time staff positions would be eliminated as part of “a response to mounting financial pressures and changes in the educational needs of The Episcopal Church.” The restructuring does not affect the number of faculty positions at the Berkeley, Calif., seminary.

“In the past two days CDSP has said goodbye to five good and faithful staff members,” said Donn Morgan, president and dean, on May 29. “They are leaving not of their own volition, nor because of performance issues, but because of our school’s need to bring its budget into a more realistic place, to try to get closer to matching revenues with expenses.”

Elizabeth Drescher, CDSP’s director of the Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership (CALL), said the seminary does not usually make public its financial statements, but that prior to the staff cuts the budget, which begins July 1, had a six-figure deficit. Enrollment during the past year also declined about 10 percent, she noted.

Ms. Drescher said the staff reductions were part of a restructuring which involves reorganizing faculty and staff into a number of cross-functional teams that will encourage greater sharing of expertise and broader involvement in the full range of work performed by all seminary faculty and staff members.

“On the one hand, this was a difficult and painful process because there was tremendous pressure to balance the budget,” she said. “The good news is that we continue to prepare for the future. We see this as part of an overall repositioning of the seminary to serve the church better.”

CDSP announced two new faculty hires. The Rev. Ruth Meyers will replace the Rev. Louis Weil as professor of liturgics for the fall 2009 term, and the Rev. Flora Keshgegian will become the new professor of pastoral theology and women in ministry beginning with the spring 2010 term.

More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/6/2/facing-six-figure-deficit-cdsp-cuts-staff

G-20 Itinerary difficult to come by

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette-

As the city readies itself for the G-20 summit Sept. 24 and 25, those lusting for a piece of the action during Pittsburgh's two days in the international spotlight would be well-advised to remember this line from the Robert Altman movie about Hollywood, titled, tellingly, "The Player":

Nobody knows anything.

(snip)

Harold Lewis, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside, said he would invite President Barack Obama and his wife to visit his church, he told parishioners on Sunday.

Reached yesterday, though, Mr. Lewis declined to elaborate on his plans. "I wouldn't want to comment before issuing an invitation," he said. "But it never hurts to ask."

Would Judy Davenport, wife of broadcasting executive Ron Davenport and whose son, Ron Jr., attended Harvard Law School with Michelle Obama, like to host a party for the First Couple?

"Oh, I'm not going to go there," Ms. Davenport said with a laugh, while insisting she knew of no plans for any social events involving the president and his wife. "But of course we're thrilled and happy for Pittsburgh."

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09154/974619-53.stm

LONG ISLAND: Bishop Walker begins leave of absence

Bishop Orris Walker, Jr. is taking a leave of absence from the Diocese of Long Island until November 14, the day his resignation takes effect, the Garden City, New York-based diocese announced. The leave started on June 1.

Walker appointed retired Bishop David Joslin as assisting bishop and has delegated to him all administrative and pastoral duties during the interim period. Joslin said in an interview that Walker is coping with health issues. Joslin added that he is looking forward to his work in Long Island. "It is a very, very exciting diocese with a wonderful social ministry and exciting things going on in its parishes," he said.

Walker, who has been bishop of the diocese since 1991, will be succeeded this fall by bishop-elect Lawrence Provenzano, who was elected bishop co-adjutor (bishop with right of succession) on March 21. Provenzano's service of consecration is scheduled to take place September 19.

Joslin is the former diocesan bishop of Central New York and has served as assisting bishop in the dioceses of New Jersey and Rhode Island. He lives in Westerly, Rhode Island, will be in the diocesan offices at least two days per week and also work online and by telephone, he said.

The diocese said that Walker will represent the Diocese of Long Island in the House of Bishops at General Convention (July 8-17 in Anaheim, California) to introduce Provenzano to the bishops. "Assuming the receipt of canonical consents to our election, [Walker] will be a co-consecrator at the ordination and consecration of Fr. Provenzano in September, and will preside at the diocesan convention in November until he bids the diocese farewell and turns authority over to the new bishop," the diocesan announcement said.

The rest is here-

http://www.episcopal-life.org/81803_108848_ENG_HTM.htm

Holy Twitter! They're tweeting from the pews

When Kevin Joyce, the 29-year-old pastor of the nondenominational Imagine Fellowship in San Antonio, Texas, looks out at his congregation during his Sunday sermons, he sees “a lot of illuminated faces.”

But it’s not the word of God that’s lighting them up. It’s their smartphone screens.

“We hold our service in a movie theater and keep it dark so we can protect the screen,” says Joyce, who not only encourages his congregation to use Twitter and "tweet" in church, but projects the live Twitter stream on a giant screen during services. “When I look out, I’ll see a lot of people texting and the screens on their phones light up their faces.”

Welcome to the 3G(od) network, where social media have become as vital a communication tool for clergy and congregations as the traditional post-sermon coffee hour. While not all churches have gone as far as to incorporate real-time Twitter streams into their Sunday services, many are using Facebook, Flickr, MySpace, LinkedIn and other social networking sites to get the word (or, rather, “the Word”) out there.

In April, interactive marketing firm Sojo, Inc. surveyed 145 churches with memberships between 500 and 25,000 and found that 32 percent of them said they use Facebook, 16 percent are on MySpace and 10 percent are on Twitter, with many more chomping at the bit to sign up for the popular micro-blogging site.

Last month, Wall Street's Trinity Church used Twitter to perform the Passion Play on Good Friday, with congregation members using Twitter names such as "Pontius_Pilate," "ServingGirl," "Mary_Mother_Of" and "_JesusChrist."

Even the Vatican threw its large hat into the ring recently with a special YouTube channel, Facebook application and the newly launched Web portal "Pope2You."

More here-

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30970139

Dispute over Colo. Springs church property settled

The Episcopal Diocese of Colorado says a legal dispute with 1,200 former members over church property has been resolved.
Diocese officials said Tuesday both sides agreed to uphold an El Paso County District judge's ruling that gave the property to the diocese in March.

"This has been a long, difficult and distressing dispute and we believe that this settlement is the first step towards reconciliation and healing," Lawrence R. Hitt II, chancellor of the diocese, said in a written statement.

The dispute began in 2007 after some members of the Grace Church and St. Stephen's Parish in Colorado Springs broke away from the Episcopal Church. They joined the Convocation of Anglicans in North America, a missionary diocese of the Church of Nigeria.

Here-

http://www.examiner.com/a-2048418~Dispute_over_Colo__Springs_church_property_settled.html

and here-

http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_12506161

Father Alberto Cutie Isn't the First to Change Religions

Last Thursday, TV personality, beach canoodler, and sometime Catholic priest Alberto Cutié joined the Episcopal Church. His official reason: He had "searched [his] soul and sought God's guidance."

Of course, the fact that Episcopalian priests are allowed to marry (and, we assume, canoodle) had absolutely nothing to do with his decision, you blasphemer.

But let's say it did. Cutié would not be the first public figure to demand a holy trade in order to get his righteous grind on. Behold, our Holy Trinity of denominational journeymen:

It's all here-

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2009-06-04/news/father-alberto-cutie-isn-t-the-first-to-change-religions/

New Bishops Prepare for General Convention

Thirty-seven bishops, including five Canadians, one from Scotland, and one from Ireland, recently joined six episcopal faculty members and 10 guest instructors in North Carolina for a College for Bishops’ residency program.

The three-year Living Our Vows program is designed to support the spiritual health and personal development of new bishops. A series of three residential retreats is complemented by peer coaching with an experienced bishop, according to a news release.

The bishops, grouped in three classes according to the date of their consecration, attended sessions May 18-22 in media training and a “holistic approach to communications strategies” for the July General Convention. David Booth Beers, chancellor to the Presiding Bishop, led a study of the polity of The Episcopal Church, and Sally Johnson, chancellor for the president of the House of Deputies, focused on proposed revisions to the church’s disciplinary canons.

“The episcopacy is a unique and demanding vocation with a steep learning curve,” said the Rev. Margaret Ann Faeth, associate professor at Virginia Theological Seminary and one of the retreat speakers. “Over the past two years, I have been impressed with the commitment of the new bishops and their eagerness and receptivity to the program.”


http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/6/1/new-bishops-prepare-for-general-convention

Full communion with Moravians proposed

Deepening relationships between the Episcopal Church and its ecumenical partners, including a proposal for full communion with the Moravian Church, will be the focus of draft legislation presented to General Convention when it meets July 8-17 in Anaheim, California.

General Convention also will welcome ecumenical and interfaith guests to participate, observe and learn about the Episcopal Church and its governance.

The Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations spent the last triennium working on recommendations concerning interchurch cooperation and interreligious dialogue and action.

"All our ecumenical dialogues are important as we patiently seek to restore the wholeness of the visible body of Christ," said commission Vice Chair Roderick B. Dugliss, a lay deputy from the Diocese of California. "We know from long experience that the fractured church confounds our efforts to 'proclaim by word and example the Good News.'"

Among the standing commission's proposals are a resolution to begin formal dialogue between the Episcopal Church and the (Lutheran) Church of Sweden with the ultimate goal of reaching full communion.

"Our history with the Church of Sweden goes back to the first moments of the Episcopal Church's existence as an autonomous Anglican church," said Bishop Pierre Whalon of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. "It is our oldest ecumenical
relationship. For various reasons, we have never entered into an official full communion partnership with this great church, even though they put several 'Old Swedes' churches under our jurisdiction back in the 18th century."

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_108829_ENG_HTM.htm

Uganda- Bishops speak out

THE bishops of the three main Christian churches have asked the Government to create an independent body to review the emoluments paid to public officials and MPs.

In a statement at the end of a two-day meeting on Friday, the clerics said the independent body was one way of fostering good governance and proper resource utilisation.

They appealed to the Government and the public to “join hands in the observation of human rights and the fight against corruption.”

The meeting was attended by the Archbishops of the Anglican, Catholic and Orthodox churches as well as other clergy and laity from across the country.

The clerics, under the Uganda Joint Christian Council, urged their secretariat to ensure that civic and voter education started early, ahead of the general elections in 2011.

The clerics appealed to the Government to ensure that, “candidates implicated in election malpractices are disqualified from vying for any political positions for five years,”

On homosexuality, they agreed that people should form family-based groups to expose the dangers of the “evil act.”

They also recommended that religious clubs be formed in schools to campaign against homosexuality, adding that religious education should be made compulsory in schools.

The rest-

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/683331

Nigeria: Anglican Diocese Wants Justice On Niger Delta Crisis

The Diocese of Lagos Mainland (Anglican Communion) has called on all parties to the Niger Delta crises to show greater sensitivity for the sanctity of human life by embracing peaceful options in pursuing their aims.

Rising from the 3rd Session of their 1st Synod, which ended Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Jude, the diocese urged the federal government and other organs to practise without pretence equity and justice with regard to fair distribution of resources so as to intensify efforts at developing the region.

In a communiqué signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev Adebayo Akinde and the Synod Secretary, Ven Luyi Akinwande, the Synod also called on the federal and state governments to pass Freedom of Information legislation as a necessary tool for national development.

It said that timely, adequate, and accurate information dissemination were crucial to sustainable socio-economic development and called on governments at all levels to accord information a pride of place, "by shunning information hoarding which only promotes rumour mongering, falsehood and causes disaffection."

The Synod, which drew its theme from Psalm 97: 10, You That Love God, Hate Evil, called on all Christians to show their love for God in their thoughts, utterances and actions by shunning evil, represented in idolatry, materialism, worldliness, intolerance, hatred, tribalism, corruption and parochialism.

The rest is here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/200906010912.html

New Archbishop in Melanesia

THE Anglican Church of Melanesia enthroned its new Archbishop Right Reverend David Vunagi at the Saint Barnabas Cathedral in Honiara yesterday.

Senior Bishop Rt Reverend Charles Koete enthroned him in front of more five thousand Anglican Christians.

Among guests attending are Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena, Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, members of the diplomatic corps and all representative clergies from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.

Speaking after his enthronement Rt Reverend David Vunagi said he feels humble for the trust vested on him, adding he will always seek God’s wisdom for help.

He said as a new leader of the church he will do his best to serve the interest of all church members in partnership with the government.

“I’m willing to work in partnership with the government because the church and the government serve the same people,” he said.

Rev Vunagi said he is glad to join and work together with all head of churches.

Rev Vunagi was elected to the highest Episcopal position within the Anglican Church by the Provincial electoral Board on March 4 at Tetete Ni Kolivuti, headquarters of the Sisters of the Church, east of Honiara.

More here-

http://solomonstarnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9448&change=104&changeown=93&Itemid=122

Religious leaders urge Obama on in Middle East peace efforts

As President Barack Obama's efforts towards a two-state solution in Israel/Palestine continue, religious leaders in the region and in the US are urging him to press for a lasting peace in the Middle East.

Jewish, Muslim and Christian leaders representing the US-based National Interreligious Leadership Initiative for Peace in the Middle East (NILI) have written commending Obama's decision to make Arab-Israeli-Palestinian peace "a high priority from the start of his presidency."

The letter was sent in anticipation of several key meetings between President Obama and Palestinian and Israeli leaders on the eve of the White House summit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The President was also in conversation with the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas last month (May 2009).

Hardliners on both sides are continuing to resist a two-state solution, but analysts say the momentum is moving in that direction.

"Despite the challenges and discouraging developments, there remains a window of hope to achieve both a viable two-state solution, acceptable to majorities of Israelis and Palestinians, and a final comprehensive peace between Israel and all her Arab neighbours," said the NILI leaders last month.

Following a 14-15 May 2009 peace conference at the Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, Suheil Dawani (pictured) joined other global Christian leaders in supporting President Obama's commitment to Middle East peace issues, while calling for Gaza's borders to be opened immediately.

Chaired by former President Jimmy Carter, the conference, entitled 'Towards a New Christian Consensus: Peace with Justice in the Holy Land,' welcomed leaders from The Kairos Project, Churches for Middle East Peace, and the World Council of Churches.

Dawani was the only participant in the group from Jerusalem's Palestinian Christian community, according to a press release from the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

The rest-

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/9570

Communion wafers come gluten-free

For eight years, Robert Snow crossed himself as he approached his priest during communion instead of receiving the wafer he desperately wanted.

Snow, of Deerfield Beach, was diagnosed in 2001 with celiac disease, which prevents him from eating foods containing gluten, including communion wafers.

But Snow's church, St. Gregory's Episcopal in Boca Raton, recently began offering wheat-free communion wafers for people who cannot digest grains. And Snow says he finally feels part of the Mass.

"I feel more into what I'm doing," said Snow, 60. "I feel included."

About one in 133 Americans has celiac disease, an inability to process wheat, barley and rye, said Elaine Monarch, executive director of the Celiac Disease Foundation in Studio City, Calif. Celiacs who eat these grains can develop severe problems, such as headaches, anemia, canker sores, osteoporosis and cancer.

There is no cure; celiacs must follow a gluten-free diet, Monarch said.

Recent publicity campaigns have made Americans increasingly aware of celiac. An abundance of gluten-free products, including pastas and cookies, is flooding the food market; a gluten-free restaurant community opened recently in Philadelphia; Celebrity Apprentice contestant Jesse James recently made a gluten-free meal on the show to increase awareness of the condition.

More here-

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-wheat-free-communion-b060209sbjun02,0,2374187.story

ATLANTA: 'Faithful telling' conference seeks racial reconciliation

The Diocese of Atlanta explored paths to racial reconciliation May 30, in a special conference at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Participants shared stories about segregation, discrimination, and slavery; speakers such as human rights advocate Ruby Sales offered inspiration, and some 100 participants searched for ways to breach the alienation that continues among races.

Ideas generated by the conference, which was called "Toward a Full and Faithful Telling," will be shared at the Episcopal Church's 2009 General Convention, scheduled to take place July 8-17 in Anaheim, California.
"We are too quick to tout the progress we've made toward racial reconciliation as though the work is finished," explained Bishop Neil Alexander of the Diocese of Atlanta. "Such thinking blinds us to the reality. In so many ways, we have only just begun. This must demand of us fresh energy and renewed commitment."

More here-

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_108803_ENG_HTM.htm

Fr. Armstrong: Misunderstanding Led to Missed Court Date

Despite his failure to appear for a court appearance on May 27, the Rev. Don Armstrong is not a fugitive from justice. A bench warrant, issued shortly after his failure to appear, was quashed, according to Fr. Armstrong. The priest said his absence was because of a misunderstanding.

“Apparently, there was some confusion and miscommunication about my appearance date, which resulted in a warrant being issued,” he told The Living Church. “My attorney and I went down and spoke with the judge, who immediately straightened everything out and quashed the warrant.”

Fr. Armstrong served as rector of Grace and St. Stephen’s Church, Colorado Springs, from 1987 until 2006, when he was deposed following a diocesan investigation of parish finances. He is now rector of St. George’s Anglican Church, which is comprised of a majority of members from the Episcopal congregation.

The Diocese of Colorado initiated an investigation of parish finances and turned over the results to the Colorado Springs district attorney, who executed a search warrant of the church and rectory in November. Fr. Armstrong was indicted on 20 felony theft counts and voluntarily surrendered to police on May 21. He was freed after posting $20,000 bound later that day. Fr. Armstrong denies all charges and said he is looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name “of unbridled false accusations” in a court of law.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/5/29/fr-armstrong-misunderstanding-led-to-missed-court-date

Nigeria: Mark Accuses Religious Leaders of Extorting Money From Politicians

SENATE president, Senator David Mark, says religious leaders in the country have abandoned their primary responsibilities and resorted to extorting money from politicians, employing blackmail.

Mark speaking at the opening session of the 19th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Kaduna, said, "the corruption scourge that has blighted our country would have been non existent.

The truth of the matter is that our religious sermons on Fridays and Sundays have become mere messages of convenience.

"Parishioners often leave their places of worship looking more with their mouths while listening with their eyes.

Sometimes and without fear of being labeled heretic or uncharitable, public officials and politicians in Nigeria have been at the receiving end of an apparent blackmail emanating from our clergy. Daily, such officials are inundated with requests for financial aid which is way beyond our personal incomes and even where so provided, are above approved budgetary limits. And this demand cut across all religious bodies.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/200906010020.html

Rwanda: Church Leaders Protest Religious Bill

As the dust on the media bill settles, the religious denominations bill seems set to raise its own. Religious leaders from different denominations have converged and made a statement to be presented to the Local Government Ministry and the speaker of parliament for possible amendments to the bill.

The statement which The Sunday Times has seen has suggested that four articles; 21, 32, 36 be amended in order to facilitate their operation in the country. It also says that the above articles make it difficult to start a religious organisation and their proper functioning.

"The bill articulates that for someone to start a church, one must have at least 100 associates to sign in your statute while he/she must be a graduate," the statement reads in part.

Religious leaders protest that starting a church does not require someone to be academically upright but a calling of which most cases follows people with integrity.

"We have found out that because those articles, freedom of worship is dishonoured," the religious leaders state.


Bishop Emmanuel Koline of the Anglican Church yesterday told the Sunday Times that the bill is putting churches in the category of NGOs and associations yet they differ from the two.

More here-

http://allafrica.com/stories/200906010532.html

Namirembe Bishop Luwalira consecrated

From Uganda. Interesting that the issue of "child sacrifice" makes the fifth paragraph.

BISHOP Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira was consecrated yesterday as the fifth bishop of Namirembe diocese in a colourful ceremony attended by President Yoweri Museveni and his wife, Janet.

The President congratulated the new bishop and told the congregation that the NRM is a strong up-holder of the Christian tenets of no vengeance.

He, however, expressed dismay at the failure to embrace the commandment of “loving your neighbour like you love yourself” by Christians.

Museveni also criticised the habit of bad-mouthing, abuses and hatred in religious institutions which, he said, are primarily supposed to be peaceful institutions.

Regarding the issue of child sacrifice, the President said some culprits had been apprehended but “what is needed is to amend the law so that such offenders do not get discretion bail.”

Museveni also asked the public to support a proposal denying bail to suspects of defilement, murder and armed robbery.

The consecration at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Namirembe, the oldest Anglican diocese in Uganda, was led by the Archbishop, Henry Luke Orombi and assisted by several Anglican bishops, including Bishop James Stanton from the diocese of Dallas in the US.

More here-

http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/12/683217

Anglican Priest accused of stoning cop

More on the schism in the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe.

AS the rift in the Anglican Church continues, a priest at St Columbus Parish in Kuwadzana allegedly stoned a policeman trying to restrain the two factions involved in the fight for control the church.

Constable Lancelot Kanaveti of Kuwadzana Police Station sustained a cut on the head and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Reverend Augustine Dizara (39) of the Bakare faction last Friday appeared before Mbare magistrate Ms Marehwanazvo Gofa charged with assault.

He was remanded out of custody to June 3 for trial on US$20 bail after he pleaded not guilty to the charge. Officials at the Mbare court told The Herald that more than 20 church members from the Bakare faction were fined at Kuwadzana Police Station in connection with the same incident before Dizara was taken to court.

Prosecutor Mr Kudakwashe Tagwirei alleges that on May 21, some women from the Kunonga faction were conducting Thursday prayer meetings at the church.

At around 2pm, it is alleged, women from the Bakare faction arrived at the church with the intention of holding a prayer meeting after the Kunonga faction had finished theirs.

More here-

http://www.zimdiaspora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1316:anglican-priest-accused-of-stoning-cop&catid=73:music&Itemid=299

Provisional bishop named to diocese

The Rev. Bavi Edna Rivera was affirmed as provisional bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon earlier this month. A convention of about 275 Episcopalians - including a delegation from Hermiston's St. John's Episcopal Church - made the decision at a convention in Cove on May 23.

Rivera also serves as bishop suffragan, or assistant to the bishop, in the Diocese of Olympia. She plans to devote about one-third of her time to Eastern Oregon, which has been without a bishop since 2007 when the Rev. William Gregg resigned to become an assistant bishop in North Carolina.

Rivera addressed the convention after the decision, saying her first priority would be getting to know the diocese.

"We are nothing if we are not together," Rivera said.

She added: "God will be with us."

Rivera was first ordained to priesthood in 1976, and is the first Hispanic woman bishop in the Episcopal Church. She is a third-generation priest and second-generation bishop, after her father Victor Manuel Rivera served as bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin in California from 1968 to 1989.

The Diocese of Eastern Oregon encompasses the entire state east of the Cascade Mountains, plus Klickitat County in Washington. The diocese includes 22 parishes and more than 2,600 Episcopalians.

http://eastoregonian.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=93329&SectionID=13&SubSectionID=48

Episcopal Split

Episcopal priests here in the valley who recently found themselves deposed by the church, still held mass as planned this morning

At Saint James Cathedral in Central Fresno, it was hard to tell the difference between today's Anglican service, and the Episcopal service that would've taken place a year and a half ago.

But the sign out front reflects the change and the priests inside have now lost their positions with the Episcopal Church.

Van McCalister, Anglican Priest, said "It's very disappointing. Extremely disappointing. Because I love the church."

Jim Stickney, Epispocal Priest, said "I'm hopeful that this theological division will come to a resolve before too long."

Bishop Jerry Lamb ousted 61 priests and deacons who followed their former bishop, John-David Schofield, away from the church in a dispute over what to preach.

The fight reached its tipping point when the Episcopal's appointed an openly gay bishop.

The priests are now involved in a legal battle over whether they get to stay in the buildings they use for service.

Video here-

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=6840498

Fla.'s 'Father Oprah': Church is about forgiveness

From the AP. Girl friend in the picture.

A popular Miami priest nicknamed "Father Oprah" said Sunday that "church is about forgiveness" during his first sermon since leaving the Roman Catholic Church to become Episcopalian amid an uproar over published photos of him kissing his girlfriend on the beach.
The Rev. Alberto Cutie (pronounced KOO'-tee-ay) gave the sermon at the Episcopal Church of The Resurrection in Miami. Episcopal priests can marry, unlike their Catholic counterparts. It will take him at least a year to become a priest in his new church.

The cozy church was overflowing with supporters, most having to stand along the aisles or lean against the walls. Many in the crowd said they were not members but came to support Cutie.
"This little church has been neglected, and membership is not great," said Jackie Fernandez, who attends another Episcopal church in the Miami area. She said within the year that will all change thanks to Cutie.

Cutie said in a TV interview in early May that he was in love with the woman in the photos and that they have been romantically involved for about two years after being friends for much longer. His girlfriend has been identified in local media as 35-year-old Ruhama Buni Canellis. He has not said if he plans to marry her, but noted in a statement this week that as he became an Episcopalian, he "has seen the ways that many of my brothers serve God as married men."

More here-

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hHxMBZpSwvIXA9hbYWvCwVfe0f5AD98HHJ900

Church Attorney to Bishop Bennison: Don't Release Letters

The ecclesiastical Court for the Trial of a Bishop has issued a temporary gag order prohibiting the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr., Bishop of Pennsylvania, from making public more than 200 letters that Bishop Bennison claims would exonerate him of charges that he failed to report sexual misconduct committed by his brother, John.

The misconduct occurred while John Bennison was serving on the staff of a California church where Bishop Bennison was rector in the 1970s. John Bennison previously admitted to sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old girl who was a member of the church youth group. He was deposed from the ordained ministry of The Episcopal Church in 2006.

Bishop Bennison maintains that he did not know about his brother’s misconduct until many years later, but in 2008, the court found Bishop Bennison guilty of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy and recommended that he be deposed. He remains under inhibition pending appeal.

In April, John Bennison turned over more than 200 letters the victim wrote to him over the course of several years after the misconduct first began. The letters purportedly reveal that the teenage victim conspired with John Bennison to conceal their sexual relationship from Bishop Bennison.


More here-

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/5/29/church-attorney-issues-temporary-gag-order-on-letters-alleged-to-exonerate-bishop-bennison

Next Bishop of Carlisle announced

Downing Street announced this morning that “The Queen has approved the nomination of the Right Reverend James William Scobie Newcome MA, FRSA, Suffragan Bishop of Penrith, for election as Bishop of Carlisle in succession to the Right Reverend Geoffrey Graham Dow, MA, BSc, MSc, MPhil, who resigned on 30 April 2009.”

http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/prbpcarlisle.html

Anglicans damage relations with Catholics by snapping up scandal-hit Fr Cutié

From the London Telegraph-

Fr Alberto Cutié, the Catholic media priest caught cuddling his girlfriend on a Florida beach, has jumped ship and become an Anglican - to the delight of Ruth Gledhill of The Times.

Archbishop John Favalora of Miami is understandably offended. The priest has not been released from his vows or laicised; it is impossible to imagine the Catholic Church snapping up an Anglican clergyman who had left because he was caught breaking his vows. The Archbishop says: "Father Cutié’s actions have caused grave scandal within the Catholic Church, harmed the Archdiocese of Miami − especially our priests – and led to division within the ecumenical community and the community at large. Today’s announcement only deepens those wounds."

And now read this paragraph by Ruth:

If Father Cutié is not eventually dismissed from his orders, but even if he is, and then goes on to become an Episcopal priest, will he need to be ordained again? And whether re-ordained or not, will the Catholic Church then view his orders as 'absolutely null and utterly void' or not? If not, could this apparent tool of ecumenical discord have the potential to bring about eventual healing between our two churches, beginning a line of succession that the Holy See could recognise as Apostolic? Forgive me please for the betrayal of ignorance in these questions, but if any readers have the answers, I would be most interested to know.

I'm sorry, but why should Times readers forgive such a "betrayal of ignorance" from someone who has been their religion correspondent for 20 years?

The rest is here-

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/damian_thompson/blog/2009/05/30/anglicans_damage_relations_with_catholics_by_snapping_up_scandalhit_fr_cuti

Sunday Forum: What kind of Catholics are we?

Interesting op-ed piece in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

All you need to know to diagnose the state of the Catholic Church in America today is that Pope Benedict XVI -- who has a knack for ticking off both Muslims and Jews -- spent a recent week wandering the Middle East, yet Catholics here barely noticed. They were too busy fighting over Barack Obama's appearance as commencement speaker at Notre Dame or arguing about the fate of a popular Miami priest known as "Father Oprah," who was caught on camera sharing a seaside embrace with his girlfriend.

Is this what Catholicism in America has come to? Bickering about whether Notre Dame is really Catholic, or whether a priest can make out on the beach with his gal pal? Well, yes. And that should come as no surprise.

Since the emergence of Catholicism in the 19th century as a counterweight to the United States' reigning Protestant culture, American Catholics have struggled to balance their desire to assimilate into society with the fear of losing their faith in the nation's melting pot. These new controversies show that, in the Catholic saga, assimilation is winning.

That is because American Catholics -- and there are upwards of 65 million of us -- are going their own way on many matters of faith and especially on issues ranging from priestly celibacy to political candidates, and there seems to be little the bishops can do about it. If there is a true swing vote in the U.S. electorate today, it is the Catholic bloc.

More here-

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09151/973735-109.stm#ixzz0H513ktOc&A