By Kirk Petersen The Prayer Book, Liturgy & Music committee has scheduled three sessions of online legislative hearings on Saturday, February 19 to hear testimony on 25 proposed resolutions, many of them related to prayer book revision, a hot topic at the 2018 General Convention. Hearings on resolutions are being held online for the first time this year, and before … [Read more...] about Prayer Book Debate Begins Again for General Convention
Resolution B012
Long-Time Friends Seek Healing for Diocese of Albany
By Kirk Petersen In an effort to heal after years of conflict over same-sex marriage, the Diocese of Albany is reuniting two long-time friends with miters who have agreed to disagree on the subject. The diocese announced December 20 it has asked the Rt. Rev. Carol Gallagher to provide supplemental episcopal pastoral support for any priest who may wish to conduct a same-sex … [Read more...] about Long-Time Friends Seek Healing for Diocese of Albany
Springfield Elects New Jersey Priest as Next Bishop
By Kirk Petersen The Diocese of Springfield has elected a New Jersey priest and former police officer to serve as the XII Bishop of Springfield. The Very Rev. Brian K. Burgess has served since 2005 as rector of 164-year-old Christ Church in Woodbury, New Jersey, a couple of miles directly south of Philadelphia. The "Very" in his title reflects that he is dean of the Woodbury … [Read more...] about Springfield Elects New Jersey Priest as Next Bishop
The B012 Compromise, Three Years On
By Kirk Petersen In 2018, the General Convention reached a compromise on same-sex marriage that defused a potentially serious conflict in the church. Resolution B012 authorized the use of same-sex marriage liturgies wherever such marriages are legal. At the same time, it created a mechanism for conservative bishops to maintain their traditional teaching. It provided a … [Read more...] about The B012 Compromise, Three Years On
Conservative Bishop to Assist in Albany During Search
By Kirk Petersen The Diocese of Albany is seeking a new bishop because the Rt. Rev. William H. Love left the Episcopal Church after refusing to comply with General Convention's 2018 decision on same-sex marriage rites. In the interim, the diocese has appointed an assisting bishop who shares Love's theological views on marriage. "Since I identify as a theological conservative, … [Read more...] about Conservative Bishop to Assist in Albany During Search
Bishops Point to Errors in Hearing Panel Decision
By Kirk Petersen The Hearing Panel that found the Bishop of Albany guilty of violating his vows made two errors of fact in publishing their decision, according to two bishops who co-sponsored Resolution B012, the 2018 General Convention resolution that mandated the availability of same-sex marriage rites in every diocese where such marriages are legal. The Rt. Rev. … [Read more...] about Bishops Point to Errors in Hearing Panel Decision
Bishop Love Ends Lonely Fight on Same-Sex Marriage
By Kirk Petersen By announcing his resignation as the IX Bishop of Albany on October 24, the Rt. Rev. William H. Love spared the diocese and the wider Episcopal Church the potential bitterness of debating and imposing a penalty on him. "Given all that has happened, and that which was still to come, I believe that to stay any longer would be more of a detriment to the … [Read more...] about Bishop Love Ends Lonely Fight on Same-Sex Marriage
Standing Comm. Unequivocally Supports Bishop Love
The Diocese of Albany’s Standing Committee responded to this week’s ruling against their bishop, the Rt. Rev. William Love with a declaration of “unequivocal support” and a pointed protest against the ruling panel’s interpretation of B012, the 2018 General Convention resolution that stripped diocesan bishops of their power to ban same-sex marriages. Love was found guilty of … [Read more...] about Standing Comm. Unequivocally Supports Bishop Love