[One News Now] Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry issued a partial restriction on a New York bishop’s ministry because of his refusal to allow same-sex wedding ceremonies to be performed in his diocese.
The punishment was executed against Episcopal Diocese of Albany Bishop William Love in response to a pastoral letter he released last year declaring his refusal to abide by a recently passed resolution requiring all of the Episcopal Church’s regional bodies to perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples.
Conduct same-sex marriages, or else …
As the leader of the mainline Protestant denomination, Curry has been a fervent advocate of same-sex marriage, and he made it clear that the Episcopal Church will not tolerate those opposed to the LGBT lifestyle – behavior that is clearly forbidden in the Bible.
“During the period of this restriction, Bishop Love – acting individually, or as Bishop Diocesan, or in any other capacity – is forbidden from participating in any manner in the Church’s disciplinary process in the Diocese of Albany in any matter regarding any member of the clergy that involves the issue of same-sex marriage,” Curry proclaimed in a media release issued Friday by the Episcopal Church. “Nor shall he participate in any other matter that has or may have the effect of penalizing in any way any member of the clergy or laity or worshipping congregation of his diocese for their participation in the arrangements for – or participation in – a same-sex marriage in his diocese or elsewhere.”
He stressed that the restriction on Love will go into effect immediately and will not be lifted until a solution is reached regarding the bishop’s potential canonical offense.
“In the meantime, I or my successor – should this matter continue after my term – shall review the continued necessity of this restriction from time to time and amend or lift it as appropriate,” Curry added.
Bulldozing God’s Word to make room for LGBT doctrine
A decision permitting same-sex marriage in the denomination was reached and instituted last month.
“Last year, the Episcopal Church General Convention passed Resolution B012, which allows congregations to perform same-sex weddings – even in dioceses where leadership objects,” The Christian Post (CP) reported. “The new policy took effect on Dec. 2.”
Certain technicalities exist in the new church doctrine that disallow key leaders in the denomination to reject the pro-LGBT resolution.
“While the new resolution still gives clergy the right to refuse to perform same-sex weddings, bishops who oppose same-sex marriage rites must call on another bishop who does not oppose such unions to provide pastoral support for the couple and a clergy for the ceremony,” CP’s Michael Gryboski noted.
Not bowing down to the LGBT agenda
The unbiblical mandate instituted by Resolution B012 did not sit well with Love, who made his objection known in writing.
“[The same-sex marriage rites approved] shall not be used anywhere in the Diocese of Albany by diocesan clergy [canonically resident or licensed].” Love wrote in his pastoral letter released last year, which is posted on AnglicanLink.com. “Jesus is calling the Church to follow His example. He is calling the Church to have the courage to speak His Truth in love about homosexual behavior – even though it isn’t politically correct.”
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[Editor’s Note: This article was written by Martin
