Ignoring the smell of brimstone and the tongues of flame scorching their khakis, Espiscopal church leaders passed a resolution giving dioceses the option of blessing same-sex unions. From the WaPo:
The church’s House of Bishops approved the measure by an overwhelming voice vote after removing language that had called for developing a nationwide official liturgy for same-sex commitment ceremonies.
While gay rights advocates were giving each other high-fives, others criticized the vote that come on the heels Rev. V. Gene Robinson’s confirmation as a bishop in New Hampshire.
“They passed a local option, and a local option translates into anything goes,” said the Rev. David C. Anderson, president of the American Anglican Council, a group devoted to biblical orthodoxy. “Of course yesterday they voted to break 2,000 years of biblical faith and mores, and we’re just beginning to grapple with the fallout from that.” Some delegates to the church’s General Convention here wore ashes on their foreheads and others walked out of today’s legislative sessions…
…one deputy read a vociferous protest, repeating a call made by 19 bishops Tuesday for intervention by the archbishop of Canterbury, the communion’s spiritual leader, and the heads of its member churches.
“We believe this is a profound misstep contrary to the word of God and the traditions of the church Catholic,” said the Rev. Kendall Harmon, a theologian from South Carolina. “But understand this clearly: We are not leaving the church. It is rather the church that has left the historic faith and has fractured the Anglican Communion, for whose restoration we pledge our faithful and loving efforts.”
I pray for the conversion of those who have been duped into believing the “I’m ok” theology of our time. Maybe it’s a lack of faith on my part, but I’m not hopeful that the order of the Episcopal church will be restored.