London Calling? Don't answer!

I think there is something prophetic that the email announcing the latest foot-in-mouth move by the "leaders" of the Anglican Communion landed in my Spam file!

The Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion passed the following resolution to address the crisis occuring in the world:


Resolved that, in the light of:

1. The recent episcopal nomination in the Diocese of Los Angeles of a partnered lesbian candidate

2. The decisions in a number of US and Canadian dioceses to proceed with formal ceremonies of same-sex blessings

3. Continuing cross-jurisdictional activity within the Communion

The Standing Committee strongly reaffirm Resolution 14.09 of ACC 14 supporting the three moratoria proposed by the Windsor Report and the associated request for gracious restraint in respect of actions that endanger the unity of the Anglican Communion by going against the declared view of the Instruments of Communion.

I'm beginning to think the "Instruments" of Communion actually refer to a hammer and sickle.

How can they expect anyone to take this notion of an "Anglican Communion" seriously if the most dangerous threat to its unity is a lesbian elected as a bishop when there are nations with large Anglican memberships that are proposing to jail and fine people for being gay... or for even being associated with gay people?

If London calls, graciously restrain from answering. It's just harassment at this point.

Meanwhile, in response, the Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles issued this statement:



As we approach the nativity of Christ, we need to remember the admonition of the angels to the shepherds: “Be not afraid.”

The Episcopal Church, a member of the Anglican Communion, for more than the past 30 years has been working on gradual, full incorporation of gay and lesbian people. We have worked to be people of gracious restraint for all these years and have now come to a place in our lives that is normal evolutionary change which compels us to move from tolerance to full inclusion.

As with racial and cultural divides, we can look to the great words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who calls us not to fall prey to the insidious drug of gradualism. Indeed, as he said in his speech titled “I Have a Dream”: “This is no time…to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism…. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”

We must move forward and respect the dignity of all human beings which is called for in our Baptismal Covenant and canons.

The Diocese of Los Angeles has acted in good faith and is moving forward in supporting the full inclusion and full humanity of all people in the Church. Thus, we celebrate the elections of Diane Jardine Bruce and Mary Douglas Glasspool as our next Bishops Suffragan called to share in the work of a strong episcopal team serving this Diocese and all of God’s people.

Thanks be to God for Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles!