Diocesan Digest
Episcopal News Service. August 4, 2005 [080405-2-A]
* ATLANTA: Atlanta committee to study same-sex blessings
* CALIFORNIA: Diocese of California seeks nominees for 8th Bishop
* EASTERN MICHIGAN: Priest deposed for abandonment of communion
* LOS ANGELES: Bruno commends Muslim statement against terrorism to dioceses
* MASSACHUSETTS: Faith and Genetics publishes sexual behavior resource for churches
* MASSACHUSETTS: Milford Episcopalian fighting AIDS with education
ATLANTA: Atlanta committee to study same-sex blessings
[Source: Diocese of Atlanta] Atlanta's Bishop Neil Alexander has appointed a committee to address the mandate of the 2004 Diocesan Council to form a study committee to consider same-sex unions and the formation of a liturgy for a blessing of such unions. The committee has been meeting since Spring 2005 and plans to present an Interim Report to Diocesan Council 2005 in November. A Final Report of its work is not expected prior to Diocesan Council 2006.
In his charge to the committee, Alexander stated that it is his understanding that the Canons of the Church do not permit him to authorize a liturgy for regular use unless and until the General Convention of the Episcopal Church has authorized such a liturgy. In discussion, Alexander and the committee recognized and affirmed that pastoral acts of blessing are taking place in various places in the church (including the Diocese of Atlanta) and that General Convention 2003 recognized such pastoral acts as taking place within the normal and legitimate life of the church.
To date, the committee has reviewed the legal meanings of marriage in the state of Georgia and the diverse theological meanings of marriage in the Church. Going forward, the committee will study the meanings of blessing and the history of holy unions. It will seek to get a clear view of where the Diocese of Atlanta is presently; review liturgies that are being used in various places; seek to understand what other dioceses are doing to address these issues within the context of their pastoral life; review the state of the Church in regard to The Windsor Report and To Set Our Hope On Christ, and try to make some suggestions for a way forward.
The committee welcomes bibliographical recommendations and other suggestions for its study. Please understand that this is a study committee and is not able to engage in dialog or debate with individual correspondents. The committee is particularly interested in receiving narrative descriptions from clergy that facilitate understanding of what is currently being done "under the radar" and which can facilitate communication within the Diocese of Atlanta as a whole. Confidentiality of couples, clergy and parishes will be preserved and you need not identify yourself in any communication unless you wish to do so.
Contact the committee by e-mail at ssblessings@bellsouth.net or by "snail mail" c/o The Rev. Roger H. Ard, St. Peter's Church, 101 E 4th Avenue, Rome, GA 30161.
CALIFORNIA: Diocese of California seeks nominees for 8th Bishop
[Source: Diocese of California] On Monday, August 1, the Episcopal Diocese of California began accepting nominations of candidates for the 8th Bishop of the Diocese. The diocese encompasses San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa and parts of San Mateo County, in California's San Francisco Bay Area. Applicants and other interested parties are encouraged to visit www.bishopsearch.org where they may review the following information:
* The Diocesan Profile in English and in Spanish;
* Nomination Packet, which includes the nomination form, essay questions and other requirements for potential candidates;
* The database of all the comments received from the local meetings with parishioners and clergy around the Diocese, including demographic information; and
* Copies of the monthly newsletter updating the progress of the search and produced by the Bishop's Search and Transition Committees.
The nomination period remains open until 5 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Saturday, October 1. A group of candidates will be offered by the Search Committee for consideration at the Electing Convention, to be held on May 6, 2006 in San Francisco.
To nominate a candidate for bishop, please refer to this website for details. If you have questions, contact us via e-mail atbishopsearch@mac.com, via regular mail at Search and Transition Committees, P.O. Box 14008, Oakland, CA 94614 or contact spokesman Craig Martin at 650.343.5200 or e-mail him atcraig.martin@rcn.com.
EASTERN MICHIGAN: Priest deposed for abandonment of communion
[Source: Diocese of Eastern Michigan] The right to function as a priest in the Episcopal Church was formally removed from the Rev. Gene Geromel of Swartz Creek, Michigan on August 4, 2005.
The Rt. Rev. Edwin M. Leidel, responding to a formal determination of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Michigan that Geromel had "abandoned the Communion of this Church," pronounce the deposition at 10:30 AM on Thursday, August 4, 2005.
"Nothing like this is ever done in haste or without much prayer," said Dean Bedford, the president of the Standing Committee. "Due process is provided by our national canon law and allows the accused at least six months to respond. During that time Geromel was given every opportunity to demonstrate that he had not in fact 'abandoned' the Episcopal Church." More than five years ago Geromel led his congregation out of the Episcopal Church. No action was taken at that time in the hope that reconciliation could one day be achieved or that Geromel might receive a call in another diocese of the Episcopal Church and could canonically be transferred there. After five years and when neither of these hopes was realized, the bishop had no alternative but to enforce the canons of the Church.
The Standing Committee's determination was based on the follow grounds:
1. Geromel had led his congregation out of the Diocese and the Episcopal Church.
2. He has acknowledged that he is out of communion with his bishop.
3. He has shown no sign of wanting to return to the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Eastern Michigan as a priest in good standing.
4. He has not participated in the Councils of the Church in the Diocese of Michigan for over five years. "I take no satisfaction in doing this," said Leidel. "It is a sad day for Gene, for me, for the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, and in fact for the whole Church. We exercised all avenues available to us in hopes of avoiding this conclusion."
August 4, 2005
Statement prior to reading the deposition of Gene Geromel as a priest in the Episcopal Church
On February 6, 2000, The Rev. Gene Geromel and the congregation of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church voted with a vote exceeding two Thirds of their communicant population to leave the Episcopal Church. The occasion for the vote was preceded by a one-year dialogue between members of St. Bart's vestry and members of the Diocese's Standing Committee. The prearranged understanding was that if the adult members were to cast a vote in excess of two thirds of their communicant population, the Diocese would sell the Church buildings and Rectory to the congregation at market value.
A year prior to the vote, members of the congregation formed a legal entity, PECUSA, INC. without informing the diocese. In the year prior to the 2/6/00 vote, the congregation defaulted completely in giving their diocesan tithe, in violation of diocesan canons. The Rev. Geromel also publicly refused to receive the Bread and Wine of Holy Communion from the bishop of Eastern Michigan for more then a year up to the time of the vote stating that that he was not in communion with his bishop
The St. Bart's buildings, owned by the diocese, were sold to St. Bart's in due course, and St. Bart's became a church not recognized by the Episcopal Church.
In an act of generosity the bishop offered Gene the opportunity to remain a priest in the diocese as a licensed clergyman serving an ecumenical Church. In order for The Rev. Geromel to be licensed he had to agree to abide by the Constitution and Canons of the church and his ordination vows in which he pledged obedience to, and remain in communion with his bishop. The Rev. Geromel said he could not do this in due conscience: hence the license was never granted.
Consequently, in another act of generosity the bishop withheld a deposition process for a five year period with the clearly stated hope that the Rev. Geromel might someday "return" to the Episcopal Church, or to a day when there might be a canonically appropriate way for Geromel to transfer to another duly recognized Anglican jurisdiction that was recognized by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church has upheld a long standing principle that a priest can only be transferred to another Diocese if they are called to physically work and live in that Diocese. A Priest may not function in a diocese other than their own without the other diocese's bishop's permission.
During these past five years, Geromel has filed three annual reports to the bishop of Eastern Michigan where he has the fragile standing of a 'priest-not-in-good- standing' who may not function sacramentally in any Episcopal Church in Eastern Michigan. Also during this period of time the bishop has once given permission to the Rt. Rev. Keith Ackerman, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy, to visit St. Bartholomew's. Bishop Ackerman and the Bishop of Eastern Michigan have a standing agreement (which is known to Geromel) that he is welcome in Eastern Michigan as long as he sought prior permission and reported his activities to the bishop of Eastern Michigan.
In January 2005, five years after St. Bartholomew's separation from the Episcopal Church, the Standing Committee of the diocese has asked the bishop to finalize its relations with Geromel by issuing a six-month inhibition, during which time if Geromel did not reaffirm his communal status with the bishop, a letter of deposition would be served. The charge for the inhibition is that Geromel has abandoned the Communion of the Episcopal Church.
LOS ANGELES: Bruno commends Muslim statement against terrorism to diocese
[Source: Diocese of Los Angeles] Bishop J. Jon Bruno of Los Angeles has asked that the following release from the national Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) be provided to the clergy and laity of the diocese. CAIR also maintains a local office in Anaheim.
CAIR BACKS FATWA AGAINST TERROR
English, Arabic, Urdu radio anti-terror PSAs released
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 7/28/05) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today offered its support for a fatwa, or Islamic religious ruling, against terrorism and extremism issued by the Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) and endorsed by more than 120 U.S. Muslim groups, leaders and institutions. (The term "fiqh" refers to Islamic jurisprudence.)
The fatwa, released during a news conference this morning at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., states in part:
"Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram - or forbidden - and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not 'martyrs'... In the light of the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah we clearly and strongly state:
1. All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam.
2. It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence.
3. It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians. We issue this fatwa following the guidance of our scripture, the Qur'an, and the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him." (Full text is below.)
In a statement read at the news conference, CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad said: "United, we can confront the terrorists and frustrate their goal of sparking an apocalyptic war between faiths and civilizations... The presence here today of American Muslim leaders indicates the willingness of our community to strengthen national security and to work with policy-makers to gain victory over this international menace to humanity." CAIR urged that the fatwa be read by Imams, or Islamic prayer leaders, at Friday prayers across the United States.
Awad also announced the release of radio versions of CAIR's 30-second "Not in the Name of Islam" television public service announcement (PSA) in English, Arabic and Urdu. The PSA campaign ties into CAIR's "Not in the Name of Islam" online petition drive designed to disassociate the faith of Islam from the violent acts of a few Muslims. To listen to the PSAs, go to:
English: http://www.cair-net.org/psa/english.mp3
Arabic: http://www.cair-net.org/psa/arabic.mp3
Urdu: http://www.cair-net.org/psa/urdu.mp3
TV: http://www.cair-net.org/video/psa.ram
CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 31 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. To read CAIR's Mission, Vision Statement and Core Principles, go to: http://www.cair-net.org/default.asp?Page=About
The full text of the fatwa follows:
The Fiqh Council of North America wishes to reaffirm Islam's absolute condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism.
Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram – or forbidden -- and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not "martyrs." The Qur'an, Islam's revealed text, states: "Whoever kills a person [unjustly]... it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind." (Qur'an, 5:32)
Prophet Muhammad said there is no excuse for committing unjust acts: "Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well you will treat them well, and that if they do wrong you will do wrong to them. Instead, accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and not to do wrong (even) if they do evil." (Al-Tirmidhi)
God mandates moderation in faith and in all aspects of life when He states in the Qur'an: "We made you to be a community of the middle way, so that (with the example of your lives) you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind." (Qur'an, 2:143)
In another verse, God explains our duties as human beings when he says: "Let there arise from among you a band of people who invite to righteousness, and enjoin good and forbid evil." (Qur'an, 3:104)
Islam teaches us to act in a caring manner to all of God's creation. The Prophet Muhammad, who is described in the Qur'an as "a mercy to the worlds" said: "All creation is the family of God, and the person most beloved by God (is the one) who is kind and caring toward His family."
In the light of the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah we clearly and strongly state:
1. All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam.
2. It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence.
3. It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.
We issue this fatwa following the guidance of our scripture, the Qur'an, and the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him. We urge all people to resolve all conflicts in just and peaceful manners.
We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism. We pray for the safety and security of our country, the United States, and its people. We pray for the safety and security of all inhabitants of our planet. We pray that interfaith harmony and cooperation prevail both in the United States and all around the globe.
FIQH COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA
Members
1. Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi
2. Dr. Abdul Hakim Jackson
3. Dr. Ahmad Shleibak
4. Dr. Akbar Muhammad
5. Dr. Deina Abdulkadir
6. Shaikh Hassan Qazwini
7. Dr. Ihsan Bagby
8. Dr. Jamal Badawi
9. Dr. Muhammad Adam Sheikh
10. Shaikh Muhammad Al-Hanooti
11. Shaikh Muhammad Nur Abdallah
12. Dr. Salah Soltan
13. Dr. Taha Jabir Alalwani
14. Shaikh Yahya Hindi
15. Shaikhah Zainab Alwani
16. Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah
17. Dr. Mukhtar Maghraoui
18. Dr. Nazih Hammad
MASSACHUSETTS: Faith and Genetics publishes sexual behavior resource for churches
[Source: EWGFG] The Ecumenical Working Group on Faith and Genetics announces the publication of "The Science of Sexual Behavior in Humans and Other Animals: a Resource for the Churches."
During 2004-2005 the Working Group, sponsored by the Diocese of Massachusetts, sought "to find some scientific clarity that might illuminate our understanding and perhaps ease the churches' struggle" with issues around human sexuality and specifically homosexuality. The report summarizes their learnings.
"I hope congregations will include our report in discussions they have about their attitudes on sexual behavior," commented John Lewis, a member of the working group. "Of course, I realize that people's attitudes toward such matters seem to precede, not follow from, a study of the facts. But if some faith groups or individuals, having read our report and seen what is known and the considerable amount that is not known, soften their positions some, I'll rejoice."
Lewis, a software engineer who chairs FASET (Faith and Science Exchange at Trinity Church, Concord, Massachusetts) sees the report as useful for any congregation's science-theology dialogue group. Engaging it could inspire theological reflection on what is known scientifically, and in turn pose new questions that the sciences need to address.
Members of the Working Group found their task challenging for a variety of reasons. The document introduction refers to a number of SARs -- "sexual attitude readjustments" -- experienced by the Working Group. The Rev. Barbara Smith-Moran, the group's convener, explained that many of these moments came when studying primate sexual behavior. Others occurred with the admission that humans frequently use sexual behavior for the some of the same reasons animals do -- "to gain status, for instance, or to reconcile after a fight".
Lewis "had never heard of pheromones." He was fascinated to learn about them, and his assumption that "sexual attraction was a pretty straightforward thing, determined by a few genes and random learning in one's early environment" was challenged.
For the Rev. Dr. Norman Faramelli, the challenge was in the task. "How could we come up with a document that said something useful to the churches, and yet minimized the politicization of the debates surrounding sexuality?"
"The Science of Sexual Behavior," in its final proposition, describes the two edged sword of additional biological knowledge about same-sex bonds. Would "clarity from science make any difference to people with negative reactions?" Can science shed light on "what triggers the impulse to constrict or enlarge one's 'circle of empathy and love'?"
"In the case of homosexuality, more conclusive scientific data can either evoke sympathy and understanding, or it can result in a cry to eliminate [it] now that we know its scientific origins," commented Faramelli, a lecturer in social ethics at Boston University. The working group identified attitudes toward homosexuality as a key area for future research, through the natural sciences and the social sciences.
The report will soon be posted as a downloadable booklet on the Diocese of Massachusetts web site, or contact Smith-Moran at to request a copy.
MASSACHUSETTS: Milford Episcopalian fighting AIDS with education
[Source: Milford Daily News] St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Millis, Massachusetts recently granted Sarah Brewin, a long-time parishioner and nurse, at least $3,000 to attend a pediatric AIDS training program at Gertrude's Garden Children's Hospital in Nairobi. For two weeks, Brewin will work with doctors to learn how to teach other health care workers in Kenya how to properly care for children who have contracted AIDS.
Brewin said she hopes to relay her experience when she returns to the United States to help motivate others to help stem the growing epidemic as it affects Sub-Saharan Africa.
Full story at http://www.milforddailynews.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=75153&format=text