Reader Responses on the Lambeth Conference
Episcopal News Service. July 24, 2008 [072408-03]
Reader responses to ELO's coverage of the Lambeth Conference follow.
Lambeth Digest, Day 3
Canon Richard T. Nolan • West Palm Beach, Florida
Retired Uganda Bishop Christopher Senyonjo's reference to the episcopate as "the highest order" of ministry is highly questionable. By our common baptism, we are members of the "highest order" of ministry, although I am uneasy about ranking orders of ministry. I do hope that as the Lambeth Conference discusses the episcopate, the bishops will reduce, even eliminate an elitist understanding of the Episcopal order and affirm an equal regard for the ministries of the laity, deacons, priests, and bishops. A hierarchical polity too often exaggerates the role of one order over the others.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Nina Shai • Las Vegas, Nevada
Have I missed something? Wasn't it Christ who called us one and all to the table with NO exceptions? I'm a "cradle capper" and have seen many changes in our church but I don't believe that "Suffer the children to come to me..." and the inclusion of one who some would consider a modern day prostitute fairly well covers us "one and all." It is little wonder that other denominations are looking at us and scratching their heads in confusion. It appears some of us have put our own agendas at the head of the table. It makes one wonder if He appeared today with his total acceptance of every soul before Him, if many of us are missing who our Lord is and what He stands for.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Josephine DiCalogero • Fairfax, Virginia
I did not find out about Archbishop Deng's statement until this evening (7/23/08). I am a faithful Episcopalian that for years have followed the career of Mr. Deng. I am embarrassed that we have been so completely deceived by him. Recently I attended the graduation exercises at the Virginia Theological Seminary where Mr. Deng was given an Honorary Doctorate. If anything Mr. Deng should return that degree. I have given considerable money over the years to the Church of Sudan, either directly or through my diocese, the Diocese of Virginia, some of which was given directly to Mr. Deng for his education. I would demand that he should give that money back in the form of a penance to the Episcopal Church of the United States of America for a deception that is totally against our principles. I guess that our money if good enough for his needs but our love for all of God's children is not. I will now particularly pray for Mr. Deng's soul and my bishop, James Peter Lee, for the affection he has given Mr. Deng these many years and the pain this must be causing him. I now need to pray for myself for the anger I feel. May our Lord, Jesus Christ, guide all of us in the next few days and change our hearts in his love.
Readers Responses on the Lambeth Conference
Mike Morrow • Wichita, Kansas
Bishop Wolfe spoke from his heart when he stated that the absence of Bishop Robinson was palpable during the retreat because of the close community formed by the bishops ordained in 2003. In response, one person stated that Bishop Wolfe's comment was "the most laughable comment" that he had read in years and then begged Bishop Wolfe to resign.
As a former President of the Council of Trustees in the Diocese of Kansas and a deputy to General Convention, I am very proud of Bishop Wolfe for speaking honestly and openly about his friend, Bishop Robinson. We in the Diocese of Kansas are proud of the outstanding work being done by Bishop Wolfe. We are looking forward to many more years of his leadership in our Diocese.
Lambeth Conference Daily Account: Bishops John Chane of Washington, Charles Jenkins of Louisiana
Roy Tenney • Huntsville, Texas
Why don't they do something to solve the problems in the Episcopal Church USA.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
W. Joseph Trickey • Stuart, Florida
Daniel Deng Bul's statement would be profoundly humorous were it not for the serious intention to bear false witness against not just Bishop Robinson, but the body of more liberal churches worldwide. Daniel Deng Bul is a Pharisee simply puffing himself up.
There is place for courageous Anglican leadership in Sudan, which remains, one of the most violent nations on earth, a locus of unimaginable evil on the loose, and yet Daniel Deng Bul hides behind his pretense that "there are no homosexuals in his country" presumably because the 'bible' doesn't allow them, and thus has no time to listen to voices that disturb him. Fine. Let him listen to the women of Darfur or another group whom he ignores.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Andrew Sorbo • Cheshire, Connecticut
Archbishop Deng has made it very clear in his speech and actions that he has no respect for the ECA, its leaders and people. Our bishops have nothing to apologize for, nor should Bishop Robinson feel pressed to resign his ministry.
On the contrary, it is Archbishop Deng and his fellow Sudanese bishops who need to apologize to the ECA, the bishops of the Anglican Communion, and all the people of the Anglican Communion for their arrogant threats to sunder the Anglican Communion and for a vindictive homophobia that any true Christian would be ashamed to harbor. Their refusal to "listen" to the voices of LGBT people, their refusal to even admit that there are any LGBT Africans and their suggestion that LGBT people are not even human totally undermines their right to sit on the episcopal chair. Archbishop Deng and his fellow bishops should have the decency to resign for perverting the message of love of our Savior. Given that the leaders of the Sudanese church will not do what a sense of decency dictates, then the leaders of the ECA need to stand gently firm in the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is working through them.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Mark Nilsen • Kansas City, Missouri
Robertson later told ENS that the Episcopal Church "remains grounded in Scripture -- rooted in Scripture -- The Presiding Bishop says that "Jesus is a way to the father." Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
The Presiding Bishop says it is OK to live in relations other than a one-man, one-woman marriage
No matter what anyone says, any sexual relationships outside of marriage between one man and one woman is wrong, and goes against God's design. That can be found while Jesus is talking about divorce.
Jesus says "Haven't you read that the one who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female' (Mat 19:5) and said, 'That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?
"You shall love the Lord you God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength (which relates to the first 4 of the Ten Commandments) and you shall love your neighbor as yourself (the last 6 commandments)
These are the laws that will lead to salvation, and eternal life. The laws of man are cared about very little by God, and have no bearing on life eternal. This is the Cross Jesus speaks about picking up, and following him. Nobody said being a Christian was going to be easy, or comfortable
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
L. Besel • Hartford, Connecticut
In saying ‘there are no gay or lesbian people in Sudan’ Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul reveals he is either poorly educated or in a significant state of denial. How an ‘educated’ man can make such a statement and not be challenged by the media or his colleagues it is beyond comprehension. In saying ‘there are no gay or lesbian people in the Sudan’ he also reveals how out of touch he is with humanity and with his people. I wouldn’t be surprised if he also denied that people are dying of AIDS in his country. I pray that the Lord will remove the blinders he has over his eyes, the emptiness in his mind and the darkness which shrouds his heart.
Cardinal to Lambeth: Be proactive, not reactive, in combating 'culture of death'
Doug Mersman • West Lafayette, Indiana
Canon Lewis unfortunately, but perhaps predictably, completely misses the point of His Eminence's address. The Church is not primarily about social justice, the MDG's, global warming, making sure kids have health insurance, ensuring that we all feel included and affirmed, etc. The Church's main concerns are spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, giving glory to Almighty God, and ensuring that souls are saved. Of course from these concerns spring concern for proper stewardship of the environment and other social justice issues. When the Church replaces those three main spiritual concerns with the worldly ones in a vain attempt to build a utopia, she becomes simply one secular charitable institution among many.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Tara Kennedy • Phoenix, Arizona
Last I heard, ours is not to judge. If I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure that Jesus himself said that we are not to judge. And personally, I believe God made us all who we are, straight or gay. Thanks be to God.
Cardinal to Lambeth: Be proactive, not reactive, in combating 'culture of death'
Benjamin Kong • Geneva, Switzerland
The Rev Canon Harold T. Lewis was perhaps too hasty in his comment to Episcopal Life of being "under-whelmed" by Cardinal Dias' speech to Lambeth. Those of us living in developed countries can appear arrogant if we tell people in the developing world to address their fight against poverty before worrying about other "more complex" issues. As Christians, we are called to be Our Lord's instruments in ministering to a world suffering from physical and spiritual hunger. We in the West have both types of hunger in our mix, to be sure. Whatever his reasons, Cardinal Dias chose to address the second hunger in his speech about Anglicans and Roman Catholics working together in evangelizing the world.
ENGLAND: I am not coming to Lambeth to protest, New Hampshire Bishop Robinson says
P. Jensen • Plano, Texas
I support Bishop Robinson. For goodness sake, let's focus on issues that we can change or at least make better such as poverty, abuse of women and children, etc. Bishop Robinson appears to be a secure, happy Christian man who is making a change in his diocese. Hurray.
Reader Responses to the Lambeth Conference
Barry Lace
I have discovered that the Primate of Sudan only has a certificate from the Virginia Theological Seminary, that only requires 24 credits of who knows what. Obviously, this church needs to look at its educational preparation of its leaders.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Holly Kuehn • Arvada, Colorado
I think he has bigger problems in his country than homosexuality. Perhaps closed minds caused those as well. Why doesn't someone call for his resignation due to the poverty and treatment of women and children in his country? He should be asked to leave.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Gary Flowers • Henderson, Kentucky
The Sudanese primate is speaking from the Scripture that the Episcopal Church should be following. Robinson should step down, but then "he" wouldn't be in the limelight. Robertson says that the Episcopal Church is "grounded in Scripture," and if that were true, we would not have an active homosexual as a bishop.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Anne Emry • San Mateo, California
What Bishop Deng is defining as Anglicanism is really Fundamentalism. His comment that to accept homosexuals in the life of the Church means God made a mistake creating Adam and Eve begs a question about the diversity of Creation. Humankind is as unique and diverse as our fingerprints, and when we look at the rest of the Universe we see that God loves infinite variety.
His point that homosexuality is not accepted in his culture is more telling than his generic comments about the Bible. How is he a participant in the Communion if he declines the Lambeth mission of conversation and listening?
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
T. Womack • Nashville, Tennessee
It is really too bad that Bishop Deng refuses to meet and talk with Bishop Robinson. I have heard Bishop Robinson speak and he is a wonderful, warm and engaging person.
Sudan must be the only country on this planet that does not have gays or lesbians. How interesting!
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Carl Johengen • Bath, New York
The fact that Archbishop Deng has the audacity to state that homosexuality is "not a part of his culture" and that he "cannot talk about it" suggests to me that it is Deng, not Robinson who should step down. For a person of his status to deny the existence of gay persons in his culture is denial at best and ignorance at worst.
It appears to me that this whole debate continues to be about power--who's right and who's wrong, and who gets to decide. In this past Sunday's Gospel, the farmer told the slaves that it was not their job to separate weeds from wheat. Christ explained that it was the job of the angels to "collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and evildoers". Does Deng think he is an angel, worthy of deciding who is a weed? God have mercy on us all.
Lambeth panel explores questions of Anglican identity, postcolonialism
Terry Walker • Santa Barbara, California
I'm so glad that this conversation about "real unity" is happening. We have waited too long for a person like Joe Duggan to bring this topic to our attention. Hopefully the four bishops from the L.A. diocese were in attendance and will incorporate this into our parishes. Thanks for the coverage.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Fr. George Holston • Chiefland, Florida
I've had a gut full of the self-righteous from the "Global South" demanding the Episcopal Church bow to their wishes for the sake of "unity of the Communion," when it is obvious that the only interests these "bishops" have is absolute power and control. The Archbishops of Sudan and Rwanda pontificate about the "sins" of the Episcopal Church, yet steadfastly refuse to intervene in their provinces' policy of genocide. Perhaps these biblically astute bishops should go back and contemplate Matthew 7: 1-5, before returning to their royal thrones to pass judgment on this province of the Communion.
Personally, I would like to see the Archbishops of Sudan, Rwanda, Nigeria, the Southern Cone resign for the sake of the unity of the Communion.
Sudanese primate wants Robinson's resignation
Alma Thompson Bell • Baltimore, Maryland
Since we in the Episcopal Church do not, and do not want to, select bishops for the Sudanese Church, it is inappropriate for their primate to seek to interfere with how Episcopal bishops are selected.