Bishop Jack Leo Iker of
“Unlike her November letter, it did not imply a charge of ‘abandonment of the communion of this church’, but it said that I would be liable for charges of violation of my ordination vows if I continue ‘any encouragement of such a belief’ (i.e. that parishes and dioceses can leave The Episcopal Church),” Bishop Iker said.
Last November, the annual convention in the Diocese of Fort Worth approved the first of two required amendments to the diocesan constitution to remove itself from The Episcopal Church.
In order to inhibit, or suspend, a bishop for abandonment the three senior bishops with jurisdiction must concur. Inhibition of a bishop with jurisdiction for violation of ordination vows or other offenses would require the assent of a majority of the diocesan standing committee, an unlikely prospect given the current composition of the
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3 Comments
All who believe that the Bible is the word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, should stand up in support of Bishop Iker. He and others who believe in the truth of God's Holy Word have not "left the faith." It is the new leadership of The Episcopal Church USA, Presiding Bishop Schori and others, who are "teaching for doctrine the commandments of men." I am a cradle Episcopalian, 51 years old, with 10 years of university education including an M.B.A. and a law degree. I passionately believe in gender equality and individual rights -- except when those concepts conflict with the teachings of the Bible. Make no mistake, as the Bible is clear: homosexuality is a sin. All have sinned, and those who repent will be forgiven. But to ordain a practicing homosexual is wrong. No amount of societal change will ever make it right. We are to be "in the world, not of the world." Choose carefully whom you will serve, as you cannot serve both God and mammon. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. -- Angela Norton, Gilmer, TX
All who believe that God's Word has become flesh in the Incarnate life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ might have some difficulty in believing that salvation comes through the scriptures alone.
If we put the Scriptures above the Incarnate Christ, we are mistaking the medium as being the Messenger of Salvation. Jesus said: "A New Commandment I give to you; that you love one another as I have loved you".
Surely this commandment of Jesus, who fulfilled all the righteousness required of the Law, should be the paramount issue in today's Church.
So, sending threatening letters is an example of 'love one another" as Christ loved us? Christ threatened when exactly? It seems to me this is a case of agree with me (the PB) or get out but you can't take anything with you. Why is it the PB demands we live with what we perceive as a false docrine (the PB's) but the PB doesn't want to live with what the PB believes is a false docrine (ours)? I would have said, 'I don't get it' but of course I do get it, in spades!