Friday, November 04, 2005

English Evangelicals & Unauthorized Ordination...

Things are hotting up in England in the controversy regarding homosexuality and Anglican ministry.

In a revolt that threatens to embroil the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr
Rowan Williams, three men were ordained as deacons in south London by a bishop
"parachuted in" from South Africa.
The ordinations were backed by Reform, the evangelical network, whose 600
clergy members are increasingly rejecting the spiritual authority of their
bishops in protest at their "unbiblical" stance on gays.
(snip)
The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Tom Butler, the only person authorised
to ordain clergy in his diocese, expressly opposed the service. He said
yesterday: "I very much regret this action, which might have serious
consequences."
He is expected to strip the Rev Richard Coekin, the cleric
behind the event, of his licence to operate in Southwark diocese, and Dr
Williams may be forced to preside over an appeal at a public hearing.

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