http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=17364
REFORM Ireland, a group of evangelical Anglicans holding fast to the faith have called on Bishop Burrows and a gay Dean to resign from the church because they both have failed to uphold Synod's biblical teaching on marriage.
In a news announcement they write, "In light of the motion on Human Sexuality within the Context of Christian Belief passed at General Synod 2012 Reform Ireland asks the following questions:
"The Bishop of Cashel and Ossory stated that he would make no comments concerning his actions until the Church of Ireland had spoken. The Church of Ireland spoke clearly and decisively at Christ Church Dublin when the General Synod 2012 reaffirmed the biblical teaching on marriage. We would now ask Bishop Burrows to explain his actions in relation to the appointment of Dean Tom Gordon, as they are clearly contrary to the teaching of the Church of Ireland? Further, we would ask how Bishop Burrows could remain as a Bishop of the Church of Ireland when his actions are so clearly contrary to the teaching of Scripture and the teaching of the Church?
"Despite several public appeals and many letters requesting an explanation of his actions, the Bishop has remained silent. We believe he can no longer remain silent and we ask that Bishop Burrows explain to the people of the Church of Ireland, who are deeply hurt and offended, why he ignored the teaching of the Church and appointed Dean Tom Gordon.
"We call on the dean to consider his position in light of the teaching of Scripture and in light of the motion passed at General Synod in 2012. We believe that the correct course of action is for Dean Gordon to resign, as his entering a civil partnership is contrary to the plain teaching of Scripture. It is also contrary to the traditional and the historical teaching of the Church catholic. Further, we believe that by entering a civil partnership Dean Gordon has conducted himself in a manner unbecoming of a presbyter of the Church."
VOL has further learned that a retired cleric has entered into a civil partnership and has been given a license by the diocesan bishop - this time it is a northern diocese where the bishop would be perceived by many to be evangelical.
A source told VOL that there are all sorts of things going on in the Church of Ireland at the moment. The media are asking questions concerning Archdeacon Leslie Stevenson who was appointed Bishop of Meath and Kildare, which after Armagh and Dublin is the most senior See in Ireland. In an interview he gave to the Sunday Business Post (not a widely read newspaper there), he stated that after his divorce, he entered into an inappropriate relationship with a parishioner in his parish, then Donaghadee in Down and Dromore diocese, for which he resigned, repented and went through a period of discipline. The present House of Bishops was fully informed of the issues before they confirmed his appointment. The murky part is that the "parishioner" is now ordained and word is that she, along with the bishop elect, had a meeting with two of the present House of Bishops to "make sure things went smoothly" - if this turns out to be true, there will be a lot of anger at the church "covering up again" especially in Ireland.
REFORM Ireland, a group of evangelical Anglicans holding fast to the faith have called on Bishop Burrows and a gay Dean to resign from the church because they both have failed to uphold Synod's biblical teaching on marriage.
In a news announcement they write, "In light of the motion on Human Sexuality within the Context of Christian Belief passed at General Synod 2012 Reform Ireland asks the following questions:
"The Bishop of Cashel and Ossory stated that he would make no comments concerning his actions until the Church of Ireland had spoken. The Church of Ireland spoke clearly and decisively at Christ Church Dublin when the General Synod 2012 reaffirmed the biblical teaching on marriage. We would now ask Bishop Burrows to explain his actions in relation to the appointment of Dean Tom Gordon, as they are clearly contrary to the teaching of the Church of Ireland? Further, we would ask how Bishop Burrows could remain as a Bishop of the Church of Ireland when his actions are so clearly contrary to the teaching of Scripture and the teaching of the Church?
"Despite several public appeals and many letters requesting an explanation of his actions, the Bishop has remained silent. We believe he can no longer remain silent and we ask that Bishop Burrows explain to the people of the Church of Ireland, who are deeply hurt and offended, why he ignored the teaching of the Church and appointed Dean Tom Gordon.
"We call on the dean to consider his position in light of the teaching of Scripture and in light of the motion passed at General Synod in 2012. We believe that the correct course of action is for Dean Gordon to resign, as his entering a civil partnership is contrary to the plain teaching of Scripture. It is also contrary to the traditional and the historical teaching of the Church catholic. Further, we believe that by entering a civil partnership Dean Gordon has conducted himself in a manner unbecoming of a presbyter of the Church."
VOL has further learned that a retired cleric has entered into a civil partnership and has been given a license by the diocesan bishop - this time it is a northern diocese where the bishop would be perceived by many to be evangelical.
A source told VOL that there are all sorts of things going on in the Church of Ireland at the moment. The media are asking questions concerning Archdeacon Leslie Stevenson who was appointed Bishop of Meath and Kildare, which after Armagh and Dublin is the most senior See in Ireland. In an interview he gave to the Sunday Business Post (not a widely read newspaper there), he stated that after his divorce, he entered into an inappropriate relationship with a parishioner in his parish, then Donaghadee in Down and Dromore diocese, for which he resigned, repented and went through a period of discipline. The present House of Bishops was fully informed of the issues before they confirmed his appointment. The murky part is that the "parishioner" is now ordained and word is that she, along with the bishop elect, had a meeting with two of the present House of Bishops to "make sure things went smoothly" - if this turns out to be true, there will be a lot of anger at the church "covering up again" especially in Ireland.
No comments:
Post a Comment