Dozens of Church of England bishops want to allow
clergy same-sex civil marriages
By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor
More than 40 Church of England bishops and senior church figures have expressed their desire to see an end to the denomination's ban on same-sex marriage among clergy.
Forty-four senior church figures, including 15 diocesan and 29 assistant or suffragan bishops, issued a statement this week calling for immediate guidance to allow LGBT clergy and ordinands to marry.
The bishops seek "a swift end to the current uncertainty" and advocate for the church to issue guidance that would remove restrictions on clergy from entering into same-sex civil marriages. They are also pushing for bishops to have the authority to ordain, license and grant permissions to officiate to clergy in same-sex marriages.
"We look forward to Guidance being issued without delay that includes the removal of all restrictions on clergy entering same-sex civil marriages, and on bishops ordaining and licensing such clergy, as well as granting permissions to officiate," the statement reads.
The Anglican weekly newspaper The Church Times reports that while guidance exists in draft form, its publication has been stalled as it requires "further work."
The House of Bishops announced a plan to officially commend prayers for same-sex couples. This announcement was met with mixed reactions, as some bishops expressed concerns that the proposals did not adequately "safeguard the pastoral stability, mission, and unity of the church."
Is no-one concerned about what Jesus thinks of same-sex couples in His church? Especially those in the pulpits?
At least 11 members of the House of Bishops publicly dissented from the ecclesiastical body's decision to agree in principle on commending Prayers of Love and Faith for same-sex couples in a statement.
The controversial prayers ask for God's blessing for same-sex couples.
In the latest letter, the signatories voiced both support and desire for more action. They celebrate the agreement to commend the Prayers of Love and Faith but also express regret over the delay in authorizing separate service structures and sample services, committing to work towards that authorization.
The bishops' statement follows a motion passed by the General Synod, expressing remorse for the Church of England's past failures in welcoming LGBT individuals and its commitment to ongoing learning and to refining and issuing the Prayers of Love and Faith.
They emphasized the importance of "inclusivity" within the denomination, stating, "We long for the day when LGBTQIA+ people will know themselves to be unquestionably included in the life and all ministries of our Church, and the contributions of each one of us fully accepted and celebrated as simply the offering of a fellow Christian."
While acknowledging the differences within the church, the bishops expressed a hope to honor these different perspectives and the collective gift they represent, ensuring that no one is compelled to act against their conscience or theological conviction.
The bishops met in London last month to discuss next steps and also agreed that structures for special services for same-sex couples based on prayers should go forward to be formally authorized under canon law.
The proposals are to be considered at the next synod later this month, as is new pastoral guidance on how the system will operate.
Once approved, the proposals will pave the way for a process leading to the authorization of the services under Canon B2.
Dioceses will be consulted on this process before it is put to General Synod, most likely in 2025, with the plans requiring a two-thirds majority to pass.
Did anybody ask God?
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Baltimore parish to end services after priest removed following
sexual assault, fraud allegations
By Jon Brown, Christian Post Reporter
A Roman Catholic church in Baltimore is effectively shuttering later this month in the wake of sexual abuse and financial corruption allegations against its former priest.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore announced Saturday that a new priest will not be installed at St. Benedict Church, which the archdiocese described as a "difficult decision" it attributed to "the limited number of clergy available for this ministry."
Last month, the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the Benedictine order suspended Father Paschal Morlino, 85, from his priestly duties after he had served St. Benedict Church for nearly 40 years, according to The Baltimore Banner.
The move came after he told the local outlet in October that he secretly paid $200,000 to silence an accusation of male sexual assault. The archdiocese and the Benedictine order reportedly had no knowledge of the settlement until receiving a request for comment from The Baltimore Banner.
“I just wanted to keep him quiet, to be rid of him, because he was just stirring up trouble,” Morlino said of his accuser, according to the outlet. “My conscience is clear; it’s all stuff that he made up.”
Following the report, the archdiocese and the Benedictine order began an investigation and decided within 24 hours to suspend Morlino, the outlet reported.
Another third-party complaint against Morlino in 2018 involved "alleged sexual harassment of an adult man," though the man has since died and his lawyer has declined to comment because of a non-disclosure agreement, according to The Associated Press.
Archdiocese officials also said Saturday that they are investigating a separate complaint lodged against Morlino involving sexual abuse of a minor in 1993, which the priest has denied.
Morlino has since returned to the Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, which is the oldest Benedictine monastery in the country and owns the St. Benedict Church property in Baltimore.
“Regrettably, the decision also means that Mass, the sacraments, sacramental preparation, and worship services will no longer continue at St. Benedict Church, effective on Nov. 15, 2023,” the archdiocese said of its decision not to replace Morlino.
“We understand that this news comes at a difficult time for the parishioners,” the archdiocese continued. “An outreach team will be available to assist parishioners and if they wish, help them receive Catholic pastoral services at nearby parishes.”
The announcement apparently came as a shock when it was first made to parishioners during two Saturday vigil Masses, according to The Baltimore Banner, which noted that "multiple parishioners shook their heads as they listened." Others sat in silence, according to the outlet.
Deacon Jacob Martini urged parishioners during the vigil Mass on Saturday to remember that "whatever we might feel, we cannot let it shake our discipleship in Jesus Christ," according to Catholic Review.
"The Word of God is founded ultimately on Jesus Christ, the deepest desire of our hearts," he added.
Most in attendance were unwilling to speak to Catholic Review on the record, but reportedly "expressed heartbreak, anger, and sadness," according to the outlet.
How can such a man pastor a church for 40 years?
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