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August 08, 2006
Hindu Altar Cloth
Here in the Christchurch Diocese, the cathedral chapter has called a meeting next week to allow people to express their views in regard to the Hindu Altar cloth. The cloth is a piece of fabric art commissioned for the 150th anniversary of the Diocese.
Here in the Christchurch Diocese, the cathedral chapter has called a meeting next week to allow people to express their views in regard to the Hindu Altar cloth. The cloth is a piece of fabric art commissioned for the 150th anniversary of the Diocese. It has a Pentecost theme and is covered with biblical texts in all kinds of languages. However, someone also persuaded the artist to include an 8th century BC Hindu text. But don't worry the Chapter did ensure that the local Indian community was consulted before giving the go-ahead! In response, I wrote an open letter to the chapter expressing the view that such a cloth would be utterly inappropriate for use within the cathedral. You can read my open letter on the Mainstream website:
www.anglican-mainstream.org.nz/amnz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=319&Itemid=45
Posted by latimer at 03:45 PM | Comments (0)
The Implosion of the American Anglican Church & NZ's General Synod
It was called ECUSA (Episcopal Church of the USA), it now wants to be called TEC (The Episcopal Church) - with the emphasis on the 'T' no doubt. But however you name it, it doesn't stop the fact that it's a church that is haemorrhaging an increasing number of members since its General Convention in June.
It was called ECUSA (Episcopal Church of the USA), it now wants to be called TEC (The Episcopal Church) - with the emphasis on the 'T' no doubt. But however you name it, it doesn't stop the fact that it's a church that is haemorrhaging an increasing number of members since its General Convention in June. Some of its largest parishes have left, and there are five dioceses' that have applied to the Archbishop of Canterbury for alternative 'provincial' oversight. In fact, someone has begun to draw up a map of the location of all congregations that have departed and started a new life outside of ECUSA and it makes for sobering viewing. You can find the map at this link here
www.greaterdanburyanglicans.org/AMiAChurches/AMiAChurches.html?ShowAll
General Synod
This only demonstrates the naivety of our own General Synod when it met in May, passing a motion requesting that ECUSA be invited to Lambeth and to the Anglican Consultative Council. Such a motion leaves me with the impression that General Synod has no idea of the gravity of the situation we face as a church. Evangelical delegates spoke vigorous against the motion but were met with an implacable determination to align our church with both the USA and Canada. This does not bode well for our future together.
Rev Malcolm Falloon
Warden
Posted by latimer at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)
Uniting Church Divisions
Across the ditch, the Uniting Church of Australia has provided us with another fine example of the inclusive church in action - effectively excluding evangelicals at their July General Asesmbly.
Across the ditch, the Uniting Church of Australia has provided us with another fine example of the inclusive church in action - effectively excluding evangelicals at their July General Asesmbly. Evangelicals (along with others) have formed an Assembly of Confessing Churches within the Uniting Church of Australia, ACC(UCA) and have invited congregations to send representatives to a conference to be held early October. The two main groups involved are the RA www.reformingalliance.org.au (Reforming Alliance within the Uniting Church) and EMU (Evangelical Members within the Uniting Church). [nb I can't connect with the EMU
www.emu.asn.au website for some reason] The liberal hierarchy of the Church, after unilaterally naming both the day and time for a meeting, then released an aggressive media statement "http://assembly2006.uca.org.au/news/news_items3/_media_release__meeting_with_the_leaders_of_the_proposed_acc after the ACC were unable to meet on those dates. This kind of patronising bullyboy tactics is typical, I'm afraid, of all too many liberal in positions of leadership.
Rev Malcolm Falloon
Warden
Posted by latimer at 03:19 PM | Comments (0)
Israel - Lebanon conflict
Malcolm Falloon, Warden, says: Much is distressing in hearing the news from this region. But it is equally distressing when you are never sure whether you have been told both sides of the story (is it just me, or is TV3 worst at this than TV1?). However, I found this website that tries to give a more balanced reporting, its called honestreporting.com
www.honestreporting.com
If you are concerned like me for the plight of Christians in southern Lebanon, then I commend to you the work of the Barnabas Fund
http://www.barnabasfund.org/archivenews/article.php?ID_news_items=158
Posted by latimer at 03:13 PM | Comments (0)
August 03, 2006
Gay UK Anglican priests get married
Jeffrey John, dean of St Albans, entered into the civil partnership with Grant Hollings, a Church of England chaplain, in a ceremony at a register office in southern England last week, the activists told Reuters.
NZ Herald: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=500818&objectid=10394152
UK Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/08/01/nlesb201.xml
Posted by latimer at 12:06 PM | Comments (0)
Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, on the current crisis in
For the past forty years we have been largely alone on this desert fighting a predator that not only has robbed us of all but a small piece of our historic homeland, but threatens the traditions and holy sites of Christianity. We are tired, weary, sick, and wounded. We need your help.
Dear Friends,
For the past forty years we have been largely alone on this desert fighting a predator that not only has robbed us of all but a small piece of our historic homeland, but threatens the traditions and holy sites of Christianity. We are tired, weary, sick, and wounded. We need your help.
We have seen and we have been the recipients of the generosity of our
American and British friends. We cherish the support of everyone
throughout the world who stands with us in solidarity. Daily, I hear
from many of them who express outrage at the arrogant and aggressive
positions of President Bush, Secretary Rice, Senator Clinton, and Prime Minister Blair. I am saddened to realise just how much the reserved prestige of the United States and Britain has declined as a result of politicians who seem to devalue human life and suffering. and, I am disturbed that the Zionist Christian community is damaging America's image as never before.
Little more than a week ago, we were focused on the plight of the
Palestinian people. In Gaza, four and five generations have been victims of Israeli racism, hate crimes, terror, violence, and murder. garbage and sewage have created a likely outbreak of cholera as Israeli strategies create the collapse of infrastructures. There is no milk. drinking water, food, and medicine are in serious short supply. Innocents are being killed and dying from lack of available emergency care. Children are paying the ultimate price. Even for those whose ives are spared, many of them are traumatised and will not grow to ive useful lives. Commerce between the West Bank and Gaza has been alted and humanitarian aid barely trickles into some of the neediest in the world.
Movement of residents of the West Bank is difficult or impossible as
"security measures" are heightened to break the backs of the Palestinian people and cut them off from their place of work, schools, hospitals, and families. It is family and community that has sustained these people during these hopeless times. For some, it is all that they had, but that too has been taken away with the continued building of he wall and check points. The strategy of ethnic cleansing on the art of the State of Israel continues.
This week, war broke out on the Lebanon-Israeli border (near Banyas
where Jesus gave St. Peter the keys to heaven and earth). The Israeli
government's disproportionate reaction to provocation was consistent
with their opportunistic responses in which they destroy their perceived enemy.
In her recent article, "The Insane Brutality of the State of Israel,"
American, Kathleen Christison, a former CIA analyst says, "The state lashes out in a crazed effort, lacking any sense of proportion, to reassure itself of its strength." She continues, "A society that can rush off as unimportant an army officer's brutal murder of a thirteen year old girl on the claim that she threatened soldiers at a military
post (one of nearly seven hundred Palestinian children murdered by
Israelis since the Intifada began) is not a society with a conscience." The "situation" as it has come to be called, has deteriorated into a war without boundaries or limitations. It is a war with deadly potential beyond the imaginations of most civilized people.
As I write to you, I am preparing to leave with other bishops for Nablus with medical and other emergency supplies for five hundred families, and a pledge for one thousand families more.
On Saturday we will attempt to enter Gaza with medical aid for doctors
and nurses in our hospital there who struggle to serve the injured, the sick, and the dying.
My plan is that I will be able to go to Lebanon next week - where we are presently without a resident priest - to bury the dead, and comfort the victims of war. Perhaps as others have you will ask, "What can I do?" Certainly we encourage and appreciate your prayers. That is important, but it is not enough. If you find that you can no longer look away, take up your cross. It takes courage as we were promised.
Write every elected official you know. Write to your news media. Speak
to your congregation, friends, and colleagues about injustice and the
threat of global war. If Syria, Iran, the United States, Great Britain, China and others enter into this war - the consequence is incalculable. Participate in rallies and forums. Find ways that you and your churches can participate in humanitarian relief efforts for the region. Contact us and let us know if you stand with us. I urge you not to be like a disciple watching from afar.
2 Corinthians 6.11
" We have spoken frankly to you Corinthians, our heart is wide open to
you. There is no restriction in our affections, but only in yours. In
return - I speak as to children - open wide your hearts also."
In, with, and through Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Riah H. Abu El-Assal
Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem
Posted by latimer at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)