Friday, 10 September 2021

Episcopal pride

"Lust, envy, anger, greed, gluttony and sloth are all bad, the sages say, but pride is the deadliest of all, the root of all evil, and the beginning of sin." - The Seven Deadly Sins - NPR

Reading their constant stream of LGBTQ+ tweets, Llandaff diocese looks anxious to be regarded as the gay ghetto of the Church in Wales. 

In addition to promoting LGBTQ+ propaganda in the above video, this Llandaff tweet refers to bishop June's speech in which she shamelessly outed a recently departed archdeacon when seconding the motion to allow same-sex blessings.

Shameful behaviour in the diocese of Llandaff is not new. Drawing a comparison with the campaign for the ordination of women, one commentator referred under the previous entry to the 'vile abuse' to which a former Bishop of Llandaff was subjected. It became 'increasingly vitriolic' until he caved in under the pressure and 'changed his mind'.

The nastiness continued long after enough votes were secured to accept the ordination of women with clear evidence of attempts to drive out of the Church as a punishment anyone who had opposed the innovation.

Reading some of the puerile comments received in response to the previous entry, a similar mindset is evident in supporters of same-sex blessings who view those who attempt to uphold the sanctity of marriage as homophobic.

Bishop Gregory told the Governing Body that "he did not wish to deny anyone their convictions or faithful discipleship". 

We have heard that before!

The bishops words fell on deaf ears. Some of the comments received illustrate scathing contempt and disregard by some gay and lesbian people for other people's faith yet these are the people bishop Gregory seeks to succour. 

Same sex marriage supporters in the Church of England have lost no time in welcoming the decision. "Church in Wales gives ‘gospel-inspired lead’ to C of E, says Bishop of Liverpool.

No doubt the bench of bishops will pride themselves on taking the lead. Next on their agenda a gay bishop for Swansea and Brecon?

 It was Pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. - St. Augustine

35 comments:

  1. It was all one person, multiple pseudonyms. That’ll change your narrative a little.

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  2. The only thing worse than pride is boastful, shameless, pride of sin. Let them boast. They won this battle over the corpse of the Church.

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  3. Pride.
    Comes before a fall.

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  4. pre covid the number of weddings was steadily declining, down to just over 2,000 in 2018. Statistically that indicates 200 or fewer gay blessings each year will be done. Except - will residency rules apply? Or will partners in England be allowed to cross Clawdd Offa and use a church of their choice as a venue?
    Presumably in parishes where clergy will refuse to do such blessings, partners will have to go elsewhere, hopefully not kicking up a fuss in the media about the vicar who refuses. I recall a vicar saying on S4C some years ago that he would rather go to prison than be forced to do a gay blessing or wedding.
    The gay lobby have got their victory, are they going to continue until gay marriage becomes a compulsory part of a vicar's ministry ie take a leaf out of Peggy's playbook and demand that all future ordinands must commit to gay blessings and, eventually, gay marriages.
    Cymraes yn Lloegr

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  5. Although there is a conscious clause in the bill, there is no process yet in applying it. I dread a colleague in Llandaff or Tyddewi exercising their right. I suspect their ordinaries will make their lives a misery.

    WHAMAB

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  6. How uncomfortable for the gay inclined bench of Bishops to be supporting Pride. Surely they do not condone the practises involved. What right do they have to do this on behalf of the whole Church and why do we salary and pension them?
    LW

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  7. PP. @AB, thank yo for using my comments in the previous subject about the outing issue. I know that a colleague bishop was seething and certainly let it be known.

    The Pride event is a hugely secular celebration for the need for a seriously marginalised Gay community, sadly due to legal restriction particularly towards men only. Leasbian's coming into the movement as the Thatcher year brought Clause 28, the cruel treatment of aids sufferers, which brought the Bisexuals into the focus. The arrival of the remaining and it's getting larger, arguing that the pansexual, asexual, gender neutral, trans,transexual all have reason to be in the Pride movement,but with the gender debate, which I am still trying to process - recently asked in a Govt form my gender, the list was boggling. What was ever wrong with the truth? We are either Male or Female, aren't we? At least, I can't find any divergence from this in my Bible or the Apocryphal literature. Even Gnostic and other discovered works, do not speak of any other gender, unless the use of Eunuch, is being used to fill in the gender sexuality person. It's totally mind bending.
    The Churches role is to reveal Christ in society, being Christ and leading people to Him, bringing them into the family. But, what we have is getting far too close to secular extremes which will eventually, harm the message we should be giving. But, welcoming anyone into the family is right, how we do that must hold true to the heart of the Gospel message. Conviction is not a favourite word in Anglican circles, but is in many non-conformist denominations. The rationale being the Holy Spirit, working in the heart of a believer or the seeker, reveals the nature or behaviour that is not in favour with being so. As a Christian we need to be in the World but not of the World - salt and light Gospel argument? Welcoming the LGBT+++ persons into the church is good, same-sex monogamous relationships, are valid and mutual respect has to be met half way. But, it's promiscuity is the big problem. Reach out but don't cope out on being salt and light.

    A gay bishop for S&B - interesting. I just, could the Capon be in the frame? But, I certainly hope that the bench do not seek to move Mon. there are many strong incumbents but, they seem to be frequently overlooked. Sexuality aside, the lady is so well liked, respected for her ministry, care of her clergy and Diocese. At least she in not afraid,to cover services when needed anywhere in the diocese, will be at the side of any of her clergy if they have a difficult situation. Even recently sending one close working cleric to the late Archdeacon on immediate leave, that's pastoral care! Do any other bench sitter do similar? As from a selection of diocesan tweets, it's "look at me" or, platitudes, no hands on pastoral care, but, from this blog and others, we hear episcopal pastoral care is, call you into the office for a "this is how it's going to be" or, "your moving" or a slanging match in a cathedral or a loud argument in the non public areas, but can be heard.
    I am reminded of two former bishops of Monmouth, +Derrick and +Dominic. I speak from a point of experience, not hearsay.
    Too early in his tenure, Dean Black, will be a force for good in the province and possible a potential purple candidate.

    With the CofE having 7 sees either in or about to be in an interregnum, the bench would have to move swiftly to secure any decent candidates for S&B. Time will tell. Perhaps +Jo will go back over the border or into academia. The vicar of Wrexham, the Canon in Residence in S&B might be possible.

    Great blog AB, enjoying the amicable banter. A feature on serious suggestion for S&B, possible St D and the top job the ++. Could the bench move to remove the ceiling retirement age for bench sitters, currently being considered in nearby provinces. Shortage of clergy the reasoning.


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    Replies
    1. What about Rev Prof Jeremy from St Padarn's - or even better his wife, +Lancaster?

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    2. Despite the politically correct BBC and government developments, in the real world there are only three genders PP.
      XX.
      XY.
      MHI, mental health issues.
      If you self identify as a horse, does it make you a horse?
      As for forcing me to accept any delusions you have of being a horse or changing the pronouns I use, good luck with that.

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    3. In my experience +John S&B was a good Pastor for clergy always sensitive and supportive and encouraging taking space when times were difficult.

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    4. Tedric
      Who has been telling you fairy stories!
      Llechryd

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    5. By all means speak as you find Tedric and it's pleasing to read someone with something good to say, for a change.
      However, in the same vein, please permit me to speak as I found too and I can assure you that when he was asked for assistance in sorting out the nonsense going on in Llandaff Cathedral, he didn't want to know and wouldn't lift a finger.
      Plus, of course, his role in the Jeffrey John electoral college fiddle is a matter of public record.
      Heigh ho!

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    6. Shirley was and is a big girl's blouse.
      Not forgetting that she was the one who signed up to the new penthouse HQ in Callaghan Square at a cool £500k per annum.
      Remember the photos of him cutting the cake whilst looking out over the homeless living under the bridge a mere 500m away?
      What a complete bloody hypocrite.

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    7. @Enoch
      I could not possibly agree with you more.
      Hooray for free speech.

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  8. 'eventually' harm?
    Rob

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  9. The nomination of the next Bishop of S&B will mark the forward intent of the bench. Conciliation and unity, or all out war on orthodox members and clergy in the CiW?

    The battle lines are being drawn. The CiW is now undisputably in jeopardy of being part of a new faith which is no faith at all. Is the writing forming on the wall?

    WHAMAB

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    1. You're at least 20 years behind my friend....

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    2. 'Undisputably' was the word my friend.

      You may have thought so a long time ago but some of us waited until it was beyond reasonable doubt.

      You were right, is that what you wanted to read?

      WHAMAB

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    3. Actually, "indisputably" is the word.... 😂

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    4. Done by the spelling police again.

      Whamab

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    5. Someone had to maintain standards. And since you haven't been able to count on the Church in Wales for at least two decades.. 😂 😂 😂

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  10. PP. Just reading the online pages of The Church Times. Interesting report on abolishing the Archbishop's Council, reigning back the power of bishops and much more.including the role of commissioners, election of any post holder and changes to the see nomination process. Interesting read. I past the link below. Perhaps Wales needs to listen up!

    https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/17-september/news/uk/c-of-e-review-proposes-new-body-to-take-over-almost-every-central-church-function?utm_campaign=Church%20Times%20RSS%20Daily%20bulletin%202.0&utm_source=emailCampaign&utm_content=&utm_medium=email

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    1. Seeing as someone else has pioneered 'spelling policing' on this thread, I'm emboldened to point out that it's 'reining back' and not 'reigning back'.

      As in horses, not as in monarchs.

      OK - petty, I know!

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    2. Are you sure about that John, they're Princesses of the Church after all. 😂

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    3. That didn't occur to me! You have a point ... ;-)

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  11. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  12. Talking of princesses of the church: Today I picked up my copy of Pobl Dewi, the StD's diocesan rag. Strange - not a word about the poor bishop in her third month of illness, no request to keep her in our prayers. notice about whether she's recovering or not - just a picture of her portrait that has been hung in the National Library - a good likeness: warts and all school of portraiture. Oddly she's decked out in episcopal purple and not w rainbow suit - opportunity lost,. methinks.

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  13. In fairness to the diocese, she - or someone - should make a decision about her future. Does silence indicate an intention to hold on? As I wrote before, she is unlikely to get over this until she moves on.
    Rob

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    1. She doesn't deserve being given the choice, she needs to go and the sooner the better.

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    2. Today I bumped into one of JoJo's churchwardens. She told me her husband hadn't been to church since Jojo's outburst and that the congregation had dropped from an average attendance of sixty to eleven. Until she goes there's no hope for the djiocese.

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  14. PP Considering the long period of sick leave, one is reminded of the recent Monmouth issue.
    Perhaps a return to duties in the See is on the agenda to face up to the actions that led to this ongoing saga -but the likelihood is slim at best!
    Then the curious announcement by the Lead Bishop this past week concerning the S&B See, seems fairly strange that more diocesan consultation the Bench needing a period of discerning that is required in order to make the right appointment. Surely, discernment is key prior to and during the electoral process?
    I am still of the mind that speculation, not too far from the truth is that translation is being used and the diocesan episcopal electors are not budging and rightly so.
    Conduct is a huge part of being a bishop, unbecoming conduct noted at some of the high offices of state, demand nothing more than a resignation as the moral action. But, this situation appears another Monmouth, don't Church leaders learn from past experience?

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    1. I perceive possible errors in believing they want to learn or to change.

      Remember "We continue as we please"?

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  15. PP. On these theme. I is interesting to read an article in the Guardian today about a 60+ women becomes a Parish Priest in Newcastle. It's starts very positively one is led to believe that the bio is about a women. It mentions a late wife (query lesbian)! They had 3 daughters well that's a not so new aspect of today's society. So far so good, one thinks. A now celibate priest. Then comes the Venn diagram that focused her "transitioning" - that was not expected! So we really have a man, with a late wife and 3 daughters. A Col in the British Army, a second career teacher and now a third career as a female priest!
    But the interesting comment was that although she had been born male, she was ordained a female - this is the crux "I still have the same soul". This wories me, does God in His wisdom, place a soul in a person as male knowing that really they are more female, and so will change that bodily form He created to female?
    Much as I try I cannot square this circle -if God in His infinite wisdom makes us in His image male and female, has he made a mistake? Absolutely, not - so is the trans issue more psychological than physical?
    Gay men and Lesbian women with a stronger female/male personality even the gay gene debate reveals this. But,the trans aspect baffles me. Here is the link to the article:

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/sep/24/a-new-start-after-60-i-became-a-priest-at-63-after-44-years-as-a-soldier-and-a-teacher

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    1. Being 'born in the wrong body' seems to me to be a form of the docetist heresy, making a mockery of the incarnation: can you imagine Jesus deciding at 12 in the temple that he was really supposed to be a girl - I think not.

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