Oasis California News Blog

Is a dead gay bisyhpo about to become Britian's newest saint?

2008-08-28T17:48:00.001-07:00

Consider this report: "The precise time and details are still a closely guarded secret, but the plans are already well under way. At some stage - possibly before the end of the year - a small party of priests, gravediggers and officials from the Vatican will arrive at the small cemetery at Rednal, near Birmingham, to conduct their sombre business.

There they will make their way to a headstone bearing the Latin inscription 'Ex umbris et imaginibus in veritatem' - 'out of shadows and phantasms into the truth', which marks the resting place of the Venerable John Henry Cardinal Newman, the revered Catholic priest, thinker and writer, who died in 1890. And then they will start digging.

For in a decision that has provoked controversy in the Catholic church and beyond, Cardinal Newman is due to be exhumed and his body moved to a far grander sarcophagus inside Birmingham Oratory as part of the final preparations before the London-born priest is beatified by Pope Benedict - a process that will set him on course to become the first English saint for more than four decades.

By any reckoning, it will be a somewhat macabre process. The coffin itself will not only be disinterred, but opened so that 'relics' from Newman's body, which may be bones from his fingers or fragments of cloth from his priestly vestments, may be taken in order to distribute and display in other Catholic churches. But that's not what's provoking such outrage.

No, what offends many campaigners is that this process of exhumation will take place contrary to the explicit wishes of Newman himself, whose dying wish was to be buried in the simple grave at Rednal - alongside the body of his lifelong friend, Father Ambrose St John.

For more than three decades, the two men were inseparable - living almost as a married couple - in what many now believe to have been a homosexual relationship.

Just how close the two men were can be judged from Newman's statement shortly after Father St John's death in 1875.

He declared: 'I have always thought no bereavement was equal to that of a husband's or a wife's, but I feel it difficult to believe that anyone's sorrow can be greater than mine.'

Subsequently, the Cardinal repeated on no fewer than three occasions his firm desire to be buried with his friend.

He wrote the following just weeks before his death in the summer of 1890. 'I wish, with all my heart, to be buried in Father Ambrose St John's grave... I give this as my last, my imperative will.'"

Buried secrets: Cardinal Newman is set to become Britain's newest saint. First he must be exhumed from the grave he shares with another man - the greatest love of his life @ Daily Mail, UK -

New Intersections section of TransFaith Online website

2008-08-27T18:27:00.001-07:00

TransFaith Online is pleased to announce the addition of a new Intersections section of our website (http://www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/), featuring information and resources relating to transgender health and wholeness.

We believe that nurturing the spiritual health of any community necessarily involves paying attention to issues of body, mind, and spirit. Due to the overwhelming risk factors faced by the transgender community, health and wholeness is truly a matter of life and death.

In our first installation of TransFaith Intersections, we are highlighting concerns about the rate of HIV and AIDS infection in the transgender community:
www.transfaithonline.org/intersections/hiv_and_aids/

We welcome the July/August 2008 issue of "Positively Aware" (http://positivelyaware.com/2008/08_04/index.html) which focused on the transgender community's status as "Invisible and At-Risk." However, in researching this topic, we were dismayed at how few other resources exist on-line addressing issues of HIV and AIDS among the transgender community.

While comprehensive data on the transgender community is not available, local assessments indicate that the transgender community has been one of the communities hit hardest by the AIDS epidemic. There is a desperate need for more resources addressing the unique barriers faced by the transgender community in terms of sensitive prevention and health care resources.
TransFaith Online calls on the transgender people of faith and our allies to:

become better educated about transgender HIV and AIDS
make sure that your HIV and AIDS ministries are sensitive to the unique needs of transgender people
include HIV and AIDS awareness as a part of your transgender advocacy efforts
speak out about the way HIV and AIDS is impacting the transgender community

We are also eager for your assistance in further developing our TransFaith HIV and AIDS InterSection. Please contact Chris Paige (215-840-2858 or chris@transfaithonline.org) with your input, suggestions, and feedback.

"Don't mourn, organize!"

2008-08-27T16:32:00.000-07:00

Photo: Phyllis Lyon and Del Martin (right) marry in San Francisco on June 16, 2008.

It is with great sadness that I share with you that today, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community lost an iconic leader and a beloved friend.

Del Martin, 87, passed away in San Francisco with Phyllis Lyon, her lifelong partner and spouse, by her side. Martin was one of the nation’s first and most visible lesbian rights activists who dedicated her life to combating homophobia, sexism, violence and racism. Martin’s many contributions to the LGBT movement will resonate for decades to come.

We are saddened to lose such a wonderful friend to our community and our love goes out to Phyllis and her family during this most difficult time. We would not be at this incredible moment in history, where all couples have equal rights under California law, if it had not been for Del’s lifetime of courage and leadership.

Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon were married in California on June 16, 2008 after 55 years together. EQCA honored Del and Phyllis with the Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon Marriage Equality Award in 2003, an award the organization gives every year in their honor.

CANADA: New Westminster diocese takes steps to reclaim parishes, remove clergy

2008-08-27T14:55:00.001-07:00

The Vancouver-based Diocese of New Westminster said it is taking steps under its bylaws to remove former clergy who continue to operate in diocesan parishes despite having left the Anglican Church of Canada over theological disagreements concerning the diocese's 2002 decision to adopt rites for blessing same-sex unions.

The parishes – all in British Columbia -- are St. Matthew's, Abbotsford and St. Matthias and St. Luke, Vancouver. Former diocesan clergy who have continued working in the parishes are Trevor Walters, Michael Stewart and Don Gardner at St. Matthew's, and Simon Chin at St. Matthias and St. Luke.

"The diocese has invoked the provision that returns control of the parishes to the diocese, an action that was approved by the diocesan council" of New Westminster, a diocesan news release said.

In May, each of the former clergy "declared that they had voluntarily left the ordained ministry of the Anglican Church of Canada and had come under the jurisdiction of a bishop reporting to the Argentina-based Anglican Church of the Southern Cone," the news release said.

At present, no action has been taken at two other parishes -- Good Shepherd, and St. John's Shaughnessy, Vancouver -- where former clergy who have left the Anglican Church of Canada also remain in diocesan parishes.

In a memorandum to diocesan clergy, Dean Peter Elliott, commissary for New Westminster Bishop Michael Ingham, wrote that "implementing the canon is a time-consuming process" and therefore the diocese was only proceeding with two parishes at this time.

George Cadman, chancellor of the diocese, has written to the former clergy and wardens of the parishes informing them that "new clergy and wardens have been appointed," according to Elliott's memorandum.

Cadman said he hopes that the former clergy will now decide to leave voluntarily and that legal action will be unnecessary, even though the possibility of litigation was raised in letters from the former officials at St. Matthew's, the diocesan news release said. "No communications have been received from St. Matthias and St. Luke since its priest left the Anglican Church of Canada."

In the past few months, civil courts in British Columbia and Ontario have issued preliminary findings in similar cases upholding actions by two other Anglican Church of Canada dioceses, one on Vancouver Island and one in the Niagara area. "Attempts to appeal those rulings in both cases have been unsuccessful and costs have been awarded to the dioceses involved," the diocesan news release said.

A diocesan media release is available here.
The memorandum to clergy is available here.

Lambda Legal Mourns the Loss of Civil Rights Giant Del Martin

2008-08-27T14:48:00.000-07:00

Lambda Legal Mourns the Loss of Civil Rights Giant Del Martin

'Del Martin led the way for all of us who came later.'

(San Francisco, August 27, 2008) – Civil rights leader Del Martin, who made
international headlines in June when she and her partner became the first
same-sex couple to legally marry in California, died today in San
Francisco. She was 87. Martin's spouse and partner of more than 50 years,
Phyllis Lyon, was at her side.

"It's impossible to overstate Del's importance in the struggle for LGBT
rights and dignity," said Lambda Legal Senior Counsel Jennifer C. Pizer.
"When she and Phyllis started Daughters of Bilitis, they were nearly alone
in Joe McCarthy's America. Del Martin led the way for all of us who came
later. Everything we've accomplished – marriage rights,
anti-discrimination protections in the workplace, even the ability to visit
our partners in the hospital – owes a vast debt to her work and example.
Her quiet, bold courage and steadfast purpose have inspired us for half a
century, and will continue to inspire us for many generations more. Our
thoughts are with Phyllis and their loved ones."

On June 16th, 2008, the two became the first same-sex couple to marry in
California as San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom presided over the ceremony.
Martin and Lyon were used to being pioneers: in 1955, they helped found the
nation's first lesbian organization, the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB. Martin
and Lyon were also active in the National Organization of Women (NOW), and
Martin was the first open lesbian to be elected to NOW's board. Besides
working tirelessly for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
equality, the two have been strong advocates against domestic violence, for
access to affordable healthcare, and for the elderly. In 2004, after their
first marriage was voided by the California Supreme Court, the National
Center for Lesbian Rights, Lambda Legal, and the American Civil Liberties
Union represented them as plaintiffs in the California marriage lawsuit
that succeeded this May.

"Third strike for Episcopalians?"

2008-08-27T13:48:00.001-07:00

That's what the Fairfax Times reports: Last Tuesday, the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia received yet another blow in its fight to retrieve eight properties from 11 congregations that recently left the church.

In a ruling issued last week, Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Randy Bellows again suggested that the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia does not have the right to repossess the properties. However, the issue will still ultimately be resolved in a trial set for October.

The 11 churches broke away from the Episcopal Church in 2007, following the appointment of an openly gay bishop and the resulting divisions within the Episcopal Church.

At the center of the litigation is the Civil War-era Virginia "division statute," which provides that when a religious denomination or diocese experiences a "division," member congregations may determine by majority vote which branch of the divided body they wish to join. The statute also says that this determination governs the ownership of property.

In April, Bellows ruled that the congregations properly invoked the division statute. On June 27, Bellows ruled that the statute itself is constitutional and said that the property issue would go to hearing in October. But, in two footnotes to the June 27 ruling, Bellows left open the question of whether the statute violated the contracts clause of the U.S. Constitution.

On Aug. 19, Bellows addressed this issue, to the continued consternation of the Episcopal Diocese. The opinion is the third time that Bellows has made a ruling or issued an opinion against Diocesan claims on the properties.

"The Contracts Clause does not protect [the] Diocese's alleged contractual rights in property not acquired prior to February 18, 1867, whether or not the congregations acquiring the property did themselves exist prior to 1867," Bellows wrote, essentially refuting the Diocese's previous claim that it had pre-contractual rights to the properties.

Bellows also said that Virginia law did not even allow churches to own property at the time of the statute's inception, permitting only trustees of those churches to do so.

The 11 now-Anglican churches responded to the opinion in a unified release, saying: "We are pleased that Judge Bellows ruled in our favor on these questions. He ruled very clearly that our congregations are able to rely on the Virginia Division Statute in order to keep our church property."

"We have maintained all along that our churches' own trustees hold title for the benefit of their congregations. [The Episcopal Church] and the Diocese have never owned any of the properties and their names do not appear on deeds to the property," said Jim Oakes, vice-chairman of the Anglican District of Virginia.

The Episcopal Diocese says it is still exploring its additional legal options.

"While we are disappointed in today's ruling, we are committed to exploring every option available to restore constitutional and legal protections for all churches in Virginia," the Episcopal Diocese said in its own statement. "Meanwhile, we look ahead to the October trial and the issues to be considered in the fall."

NH's Bishop Robinson tells of support, resistance at Lambeth

2008-08-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

For Trinity Episcopal Church, it was a routine visitation by Bishop Gene Robinson, complete with a liturgical service and coffee in the basement. For Robinson, it was a welcome return home after a major conference for bishops in England where he received both support and resistance.

On Tuesday, Robinson conducted a visitation of Trinity Episcopal Church in Meredith, including officiating a confirmation and reception service for five local people, including four youths.

Robinson recently returned from the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England, an assembly of Anglican bishops that takes place once every 10 years. While he did not attend the conference itself, he enjoyed his time there.

"I think [the trip] accomplished what it set out to do, which was to build relationships." he said, listening to such talks as the "Bishop of Harare tell about what it is like in Zimbabwe. Just the chance to hear what that's like is just amazing."

The presence of Robinson, the church's first openly gay bishop, at the conference was itself the result of struggle and determination. He was not formally invited to this year's conference by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the head of the Anglican Church, though he still attended.

Robinson said he received both resistance and support while in Canterbury. Sentiments included anxiety and concerns he would protest to receiving words of support from a large group of youths

In his sermon, he recalled being told by a reporter, "You seem like the least stressed person here," to which he replied, "You may be right."

"I think that when you act as if you know God's love for you, people notice," Robinson said

In the end, Robinson is happy serving in the churches and with his parishioners in New Hampshire.

"I'm just home, thank you Jesus," Robinson said during the service. "I almost kissed the tarmac when I arrived in Manchester."

At Tuesday's service he preached on the importance of recognizing one's spiritual vocation in everyday life and work. He was also given a pair of purple socks by the Rev. Robin Thomas Soller of Trinity in thanks for his presence.

At the end of the service, he joined parishioners for coffee and conversation in the church basement, having his photo taken with a few parishioners and signing a copy of his book "In the Eye of the Storm."

"This is the favorite part of what I do, being in the basement, eating food that everyone has prepared," he said. "This is where it happens and I'm so pleased to be back to being where I'm just the bishop."

His overall reception in the state has been supportive and positive.

"People are saying, 'We are so glad you're back,'" Robinson said. "Almost everybody says, 'We're so glad you are safe.' It's amazing, and I love these people and for some odd reason they seem to like me."
NH's Bishop Robinson tells of support, resistance at Lambeth
The Citizen, United States

SF: LESBIAN, FEMINIST AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE PIONEER DEL MARTIN DIES

2008-08-27T13:13:00.000-07:00

longtime leader of the women's movement, lesbian rights movement and most recently the quest for the right to same-sex marriage died in San Francisco today.

Del Martin, 87, died at a hospice at the side of her partner and spouse, Phyllis Lyon, 83. The death was announced by the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco.

Martin and Lyon were among the plaintiffs in the landmark lawsuit in which the California Supreme Court ruled in May that the state constitution provides a right for same-sex couples to marry. See SF: LESBIAN, FEMINIST AND SAME-SEX MARRIAGE PIONEER DEL MARTIN DIES

CBS 5 - San Francisco,CA,USA

We've matched the $1 million Knights of Columbus Anti-gay donation - now we need to match their multi-million dollar television ad buy

2008-08-26T14:13:00.000-07:00

Gay Marriage Foes make multi-million dollar television ad buy, to start weeks before most campaigns start running advertising.

Make a donation by August 31 so NO on 8 can get on TV as soon as possible.

Last week we told you about the $1 million donation, given to support Proposition 8, from the Catholic organization Knights of Columbus.

I am pleased to announce that with your help, we have matched them dollar for dollar! Today, Equality California is donating another $1 million to the NO on 8 campaign—making our total contribution more than $4 million.

Thanks to you and the amazing generosity of many EQCA supporters, we have met the latest challenge by the Knights of Columbus.

Unfortunately, the opposition has now made their next move. We’ve just learned that they have made a multi-million dollar television ad buy in eight media markets across California AND they are going to start weeks before most campaigns start running advertising.

The only way we can fight them is to get our message out before they start. That's why it's critical to raise funds to get on TV as soon as we can. August 31 is our deadline.

Please give what you can to help us. And ask your friends and family to donate too. Every dollar helps.

So please do two things today.

One, make a donation by August 31 so NO on 8 can buy ad time.
And two, sign up to host a house party. Small donations from 10, 15 or 20 individuals all pooled together will make the difference in this fight.

This is the fight of our lives. The supporters of Prop 8 have called this their last chance to win the culture war—and they are willing to spend tens of millions of dollars to ensure their victory.

Thank you for you support and for standing with us in this struggle.

In solidarity,

Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California

P.S. We have the chance to forever secure the freedom to marry in California, and we can’t stop now.

Equality California is dedicated to achieving equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians.

Our work depends on individual financial contributions. Donate now using our secure website or download a donation form to send via fax or mail.

Donations to EQCA support our political work and are therefore not tax-deductible as charitable contributions.

Unprecedented $1.2 million grant from Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund to support pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender faith work

2008-08-26T12:41:00.001-07:00

Unprecedented grant bolsters collaboration among Institute for Welcoming Resources and five partner organizations in expanding the number of welcoming and affirming churches

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation's Institute for Welcoming Resources (IWR) and five partner organizations have been awarded a total of $1.2 million from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund to work jointly to expand the number of churches that are welcoming and affirming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and to strengthen their internal capacities. This funding is significant not only because of its dollar amount, but also because it marks a breakthrough in secular foundation support for LGBT faith organizing efforts.

The recipients are the Task Force's Institute for Welcoming Resources, which works with the welcoming church movement in 30 Christian denominations; Integrity, which works within the Episcopal Church; Lutherans Concerned/North America, which works within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada; More Light Presbyterians, which works within the Presbyterian Church (USA); Reconciling Ministries Network, which works within the United Methodist Church; and the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns.

The grant, which will be paid out over two years, will support a strategic, collaborative effort to expand pro-LGBT faith-based organizing efforts and allow the groups to fortify their respective infrastructures. Through the welcoming church movement, congregations decide — through a formal vote — to offer an unconditional welcome to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. To date, more than 3,100 congregations across the Christian spectrum have explicitly welcomed LGBT people to full inclusion in the life and ministry of their congregations. This is largely due to the longtime and tireless work of these organizations, most of which have worked together for years to build the strong foundation of the existing welcoming church movement.

"We are extremely grateful to the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund for generously supporting this important collaboration," says Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "The more than 2.5 million individuals in the 3,100 congregations supported by the Institute for Welcoming Resources and these partner organizations are some of our movement's most valuable advocates in promoting understanding, reclaiming what unfortunately has become a narrow view of 'moral values' espoused by those who seek to divide, and advancing LGBT equality. We thank the Haas, Jr. Fund for not only recognizing this, but for providing the critical resources to advance these pro-LGBT faith organizing efforts."

"We are excited that this grant will help the Institute for Welcoming Resources realize its vision to significantly increase the number of local congregations and parishes committed to the full inclusion of LGBT people," says Randall Miller, a program officer with the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund. "We're convinced that this unique partnership among the Task Force's IWR program and denominational advocacy organizations holds the potential to transform the larger LGBT movement by greatly expanding its supporters and extending its reach."

A groundbreaking study titled David v. Goliath: A Report on Faith Groups Working for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality (and What They're Up Against), released in 2006 by the Task Force's National Religious Leadership Roundtable, found that conservative organizations and foundations such as Concerned Women for America, Focus on the Family, Coors Foundation, American Enterprise Institute and the Scaife Family Foundation have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in faith-based organizing, while many centrist and liberal organizations have avoided any alliance with or funding of their progressive faith counterparts.

The report also found that organizations surveyed in the mainline Protestant and Catholic churches faced an average 8-to-1 disadvantage in funding compared to anti-LGBT organizations in their denominations. This grant will greatly help to balance those scales.

"A sea change is under way in faith communities across the country," says the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, director of the Institute for Welcoming Resources. "The day is fast approaching when people will hear the word 'Christian' and associate it with justice, equality and support for all, including LGBT people. This collaborative grant is one concrete way we're going to get there."

The collaboration's main goals are to strengthen the capacity, witness and voice of Christian organizations that support LGBT people and families, and to support the efforts of people within each denomination to increase the number of welcoming and affirming congregations.

What the five partner organizations are saying

"This is the kairos time, the opportune time when the church and the world are about to turn. While full inclusion of LGBT people in the life of the Lutheran communion requires a marathon strategy, what we do in the next 12 months will be critical to the success of the mission of Lutherans Concerned/North America over the next 20 years," says Emily Eastwood, executive director of Lutherans Concerned/North America. "The timely and generous grant from the Haas, Jr. Fund will enable Lutherans Concerned/North America to maximize its strategic impact by increasing organizational and financial capacity, enhancing volunteer and leadership development at the grassroots, fostering continued expansion of our Reconciling in Christ program, and organizing for the 2009 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America synodical and churchwide assembly seasons where major decisions will be made about the full inclusion of LGBT people and families and pastors."

"Haas, Jr. was able to see the longtime activism and organizing in frontier territory provided by Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) for equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. RMN puts these monies to work immediately building infrastructure, training new leaders, creating networks in new regions and strengthening advocate teams across the United Methodist Church. Such strategic investment allows us to impact denominational change from the grassroots to the worldwide legislative sessions of the church," says the Rev. Troy Plummer, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network.

John Clinton Bradley, acting executive director of Integrity USA, says: "We are extremely thankful for this grant. It will enable us to move to the next level of programming and effectiveness as a faith-in-action organization. This includes developing and implementing a systematic process to help Episcopal parishes become more welcoming and affirming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in their congregations and communities."

"The Haas, Jr. Fund helps the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns equip volunteers for our mission to educate and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies and to save lives by training people in suicide intervention," says the Rev. Ruth Garwood, executive director of the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns. "Developing and vitalizing open and affirming churches that not only welcome LGBT people in, but also reach outside their congregations, makes a difference in both church and society. This investment from the Haas, Jr. Fund makes it possible for the coalition to build the internal systems that make more effective the hundreds of our volunteers who participate in the movement for LGBT rights."

"As a national grassroots movement working for LGBT equality in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and civil society since 1974, we have been able to accomplish much as a nearly all-volunteer network with one full-time staff person. The funding from the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund allows More Light Presbyterians to build capacity and take our next steps as an organization and network by hiring additional staff," says Michael J. Adee, M.Div., Ph.D., executive director and field organizer of More Light Presbyterians in Santa Fe, N.M. "We stand at the threshold of accomplishing policy change and ending discrimination against LGBT persons and their families in the Presbyterian Church (USA) as we enter a national campaign to ratify the recent legislative victory at the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This grant makes it possible for More Light Presbyterians to create this national campaign."

Don't miss Many Stories, One Voice: The North American Convocation of Pro-LGBT Christians, a conference convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, on Sept. 4–7 in New Orleans, La. Pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Christians will converge on the Big Easy to strengthen the movement of Christian churches that are welcoming and affirming of LGBT people. The gathering will offer new tools and training in the areas of faith-based community organizing, media training, board development, fund-raising, research, biblical studies, theology, capacity-building and other concrete skills. For more information or to register, please visit www.ManyStoriesOneVoice.org.

College Park church target of anti-gay vandalism

2008-08-25T11:34:00.001-07:00

St. John's Episcopal Church in College Park was vandalized over the weekend with an anti-gay message tacked to its front door, causing concern among members of the church.

Father Troy Beecham, rector at the church, said a message stating, "homosexual priest in the pulpit in this church are an abomination! 666" was handwritten on a piece of cardboard and posted on the door for members to see when they came to church Sunday morning.

"It was found by a gay member when he unlocked the doors Sunday morning at 7 a.m. He was going to throw it away but another gay member said that I should see it," Beecham said.

Beecham, the first openly gay rector at St. John's, has been at the church for two months. He said members were in fear for their physical safety as well as shocked by the message. The church, located on Main Street, has a sizable gay membership and has never been targeted by anti-gay vandalism before, Beecham added. See College Park church target of anti-gay vandalism

Sovo.com

Plan to exhume cardinal is 'homophobic'

2008-08-24T17:19:00.001-07:00

The Catholic Church is under growing pressure to abandon the "homophobic" exhumation and reburial of the body of one its most famous cardinals, in defiance of his wish to lie for eternity next to the man he loved.

Gay rights campaigners have accused the Vatican – which has ordered the disinterment in the first step towards beatification – of attempting to cover up the sexuality of Cardinal John Henry Newman, who died in 1890.

Opposition to the reburial among some British Roman Catholics has been bolstered by a new poll organised by The Church Times which shows that a majority of Anglicans are now against the separation of Cardinal Newman, a former Anglican clergyman, and Father Ambrose St John who lived together as "husband and wife" for most of their late adult lives.

Yesterday, the gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell told The Independent: "The Vatican's decision to move Cardinal Newman's body from its resting place is an act of grave robbery and religious desecration. It violates Newman's repeated wish to be buried for eternity with his life-long partner Ambrose St John.

"They have been together for more than 100 years and the Vatican wants to disturb that peace to cover up the fact that Cardinal Newman loved a man. It's shameful, dishonourable betrayal of Newman by the gay-hating Catholic Church."

The Church Times' poll found that 80 per cent of responders were opposed to the Vatican's decision to move Newman's body.

Plan to exhume cardinal is 'homophobic'
Independent, UK

California churches plan a big push against same-sex marriage

2008-08-24T09:48:00.001-07:00

California churches plan a big push against same-sex marriage
Los Angeles Times

Organizers hope to get 1 million Catholics, Mormons, Jews, Muslims, evangelical Christians, Sikhs and Hindus to post lawn signs supporting Prop. 8 in unison next month.

Early on a late September morning, if all goes according to plan, 1 million Mormons, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, evangelical Christians, Sikhs and Hindus will open their doors, march down their front walks and plant "Yes on Proposition 8" signs in their yards to show they support repealing same-sex marriage in California.

It is a bold idea, one that may be difficult to pull off. But whether or not 1 million lawn signs are planted in unison, the plan underscores what some observers say is one of the most ambitious interfaith political organizing efforts ever attempted in the state. Moreover, political analysts say, the alliances across religious boundaries could herald new ways of building coalitions around political issues in California.

Pan-religious, faith-based political action strategies . . . I think we are going to see a lot more of [this] in the future," said Gaston Espinosa, a professor of religious studies at Claremont McKenna College.

The greatest involvement in the campaign has come from Mormons, Catholics and evangelical Christians, who say they are working together much more closely than they did eight years ago when a similar measure, Proposition 22, was on the ballot.

Mark Jansson, a Mormon who is a member of the Protect Marriage Coalition, said members of his group are also reaching out to Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus.

Organizers say the groups turned to each other because of the California Supreme Court's ruling in May allowing same-sex marriages to be performed in the state. Thousands of gay couples have wed in the state since June 17, the first day same-sex marriages became legal.

"This is a rising up over a 5,000-year-old institution that is being hammered right now," said Jim Garlow, pastor of Skyline Church, an evangelical congregation in La Mesa. Garlow said that, while he supported Proposition 22, he was not nearly as involved as this time around, when he has helped organize 3,400-person conference calls across denominations to coordinate campaign support for the proposed constitutional amendment.

"What binds us together is one common obsession: . . . marriage," Garlow said.

He added that many people of faith, regardless of their religion, believe that "if Proposition 8 fails, there is an inevitable loss of religious freedom."

Other religious leaders vehemently disagree with Garlow and are working just as furiously to defeat Proposition 8. But their efforts have not been as carefully orchestrated as those of the initiative's religious supporters.

Susan Russell, a priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, a liberal congregation that has long supported the rights of gays and lesbians to marry, said "fair-minded Californians" should be concerned about some of the tactics and arguments of faith leaders on the other side.

"I will defend to my last breath the right of any of those folks to exercise their religion as they believe they are called to do it," she added. "But I'll resist to my last breath, vote, e-mail and blog their right to inflict their religious beliefs on the Constitution of the state of California."

Russell said that the idea that the court's decision infringed on religious liberty was a "red herring." Divorce is legal in California, she said, but that doesn't mean that Roman Catholic priests have to perform marriages for people who have been divorced.

As the campaign intensifies this fall, both sides in the fight over Proposition 8 say they expect religious leaders and their congregations to continue to play a big role.

To demonstrate that there is significant clergy support for same-sex marriage, the group California Faith for Equality has produced a video of priests, reverends and rabbis talking about why they support gay marriage.

In one, as Pachelbel's Canon plays in the background, the Rev. Neil Thomas, a minister at Metropolitan Community Church in Los Angeles, looks at the camera and declares: "I absolutely think that Jesus would support the freedom to marry, and because of that, as a follower of Jesus, it is absolutely incumbent upon me to support the freedom to marry as well."

Adds Rabbi Zach Shapiro of Temple Akiba in Culver City: "My faith supports the freedom to marry because, as a Jew, I have a responsibility to fight for what is right . . . and to help bring goodness into the world."

There are plans in the works to make another video that includes Muslim leaders as well as Spanish-speaking religious leaders.

Kerry Chaplin, interfaith organizing director of California Faith for Equality, also said her group plans to work with churches to encourage parishioners to talk to their friends and neighbors about why they should oppose Proposition 8.

On the other side, Garlow said pastors are planning a 40-day fast leading up to the election. He is also planning several rallies, including one that he hopes will include 300,000 youths.

Catholics and Mormons, meanwhile, are organizing their own congregations to try to sway voters, make contributions and get out the vote.

The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic group, recently donated $1 million to the Yes on Proposition 8 campaign.

Ned Dolejsi, executive director of the California Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Catholic Church, said it was too early to say whether the coalitions being built around Proposition 8 would carry over into other issues.

But, he added: "It's an interesting time to get to know each other in different ways."

jessica.garrison @latimes.com

No surprise here: UGANDA'S Anglican leaders support president's speech demonizing homosexuality

2008-08-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

By Fredrick Nzwili, August 21, 2008

[Ecumenical News International, Nairobi] Some Ugandan Anglican church leaders have expressed support for a statement by President Yoweri Museveni in which he commended the denomination's bishops for resisting homosexuality.

"It was great of the president to speak about the issue," Anglican Bishop Stanley Ntagali of Masindi–Katara told Ecumenical News International on August 20. "We have been inspired by the president's positive comments."

Uganda's New Vision newspaper on August 17 quoted Museveni as saying he saluted the bishops of Africa for resisting "disorientation" and a "decadent culture." The newspaper said the bishop had made his remarks when he spoke at the consecration of the Rev. Canon Patrick Gidudu as the Anglican bishop of Mbale in eastern Uganda. During his address, Museveni said homosexuality was a result of "Western influence."

"Don't fear; resist and do not compromise on that. It is a danger not only to the believers but to the whole of Africa. It is bad if our children become complacent and think that people who are not in order are alright," Museveni was quoted as saying.

This is the first time an African national leader has spoken out in the recent Anglican debate over homosexuality.

"When he speaks in this manner to the bishops, it will energise the resolve against homosexuality," said the secretary of Uganda's Anglican church, the Rev. Aaron Mwesigye, in an interview with ENI. "The Uganda church has been very bold against homosexuality."

Ugandan Anglican Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi presided over the Mbale consecration. Orombi had boycotted the once-every-decade Lambeth Conference of bishops from the Anglican Communion in July 2008, along with the primates of Anglican churches in Nigeria, Rwanda and Kenya, due to differences over homosexuality within the communion.

"The Anglican church is facing significant challenges but I would like to assure you that the church is steady," Orombi told his congregation.

The other Anglican Gay Bishop, Terry Brown retires from the Diocese of Malaita

2008-08-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

August 21, 2008

[Melanesian Messenger] Bishop Terry Michael Brown of the Diocese of Malaita officially retired August 18 as spiritual leader of one of the largest dioceses in the Church of Melanesia in the Solomon Islands.

Originally from Canada, Brown was consecrated and installed as the fourth bishop of Malaita in 1996.

During his tenure as bishop "much has been done and fulfilled in the areas of basic Christian education and strengthening the local Church, ministry training, support for local church's and diocesan programs and self support," a diocesan news release said.

"He has made huge impacts on improving the life and development of the church by helping communities achieve their basic needs to have better rural water supplies around Malaita, improved human resource development and leadership training, as well as infrastructure development in the main centers of the diocese."

The first Canadian bishop to serve in Melanesia, Brown has worked to improve ecumenical relations in Malaita province and has been involved in liturgical development and worship through the Liturgy and Worship Commission. He was one of the strongest vocal Christian leaders on justice issues in the Solomon Islands during the turmoil of the ethnic tensions and at other critical times.

Brown first visited the Solomon Islands as a missionary and lecturer at Bishop Patteson Theological College in 1976 under a partnership program of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Church of Melanesia. He lectured in history and other areas of theology for six years before returning to Canada at the end of 1981 to become a project desk officer for the Asia and Pacific mission office based in Toronto, Canada.

"Bishop Terry is a hard working bishop who has deeply entered the life of Melanesia," the diocesan news release said.

The Church of the Province of Melanesia was formed in 1975 after 118 years of missionary association with the Church of the Province of New Zealand. The province is composed of eight dioceses throughout the Republic of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and the French Trust Territory of New Caledonia, both sovereign island nations in the South Pacific.

The right-wing groups behind Proposition 8 have received a $1 million contribution from the Knights of Columbus

2008-08-18T17:32:00.001-07:00

The right-wing groups behind Proposition 8 have received a $1 million contribution from the Knights of Columbus.

The Catholic fraternal organization based in Connecticut has also adopted a resolution calling for "legal and constitutional protection...for the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others."

We know what we're up against. Right-wing organizations that will stop at nothing to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. They want to target same-sex couples to be treated differently under the California Constitution, a document that was created to ensure our equality.

We need your help to stop them!

The NO on 8 campaign is about fairness. It's about equal protection under the law for all couples who wish to marry. While we have been working hard to bring in amazing contributions from many generous donors, our momentum must continue. We have to meet our opponents' contributions dollar for dollar to win in November.

That's why we need you to make a gift to NO on 8 - Equality California today. Help us stop these groups who aim to eliminate our right to marry.
Contribute $1,000, $500, $200 or $50 now and help us stay one step ahead of our opposition.

Thank you for supporting the NO on 8 campaign and Equality California.

How Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist Leaders are Moving Beyond the Culture Wars

2008-08-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

How Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist Leaders are Moving Beyond the Culture Wars
by Robert P Jones

In recent years, Americans have become frustrated with the troubled relationship between religion and politics: an exclusive claim on faith and values from the right and a radical divorce of faith from politics on the left. Now a new group of religious leaders is re-envisioning religion in public life and blazing a trail that goes beyond partisan politics to work for a more just and inclusive society. Progressive & Religious draws on nearly 100 in-depth interviews with Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist leaders to tell the story of this dynamic, emerging movement.

Robert P. Jones explains how progressive religious leaders are tapping the deep connections between religion and social justice to work on issues like poverty and workers' rights, the environment, health care, pluralism, and human rights. Interviewees include David Saperstein, Michael Lerner, Jim Wallis, Brian McLaren, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Susan Thistlethwaite, Feisal Abdul Rauf, Eboo Patel, Kecia Ali, Surya Das, Robert Thurman, and E. J. Dionne.

Robby is a consultant to the Religious Voices Project--in which Integrity USA is participating. Order Progressive & Religious: How Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist Leaders are Moving Beyond the Culture Wars and Transforming American Public Life here.

Editorial: Initiative against gay marriage must be defeated @ San Jose Mercury News

2008-08-18T11:41:00.001-07:00

Editorial: Initiative against gay marriage must be defeated
San Jose Mercury News

Article Launched: 08/17/2008 01:35:13 AM PDT

Of all the reasons people give for banning gay marriage - the purpose of Proposition 8 on the November ballot - the most difficult for us to fathom is that a marriage between two people of the same sex somehow diminishes the institution of marriage between a man and a woman.

Marriage is the most personal of commitments, and it already means different things to different couples. Some marry for love, others expediency. Some have children, others don't, or couldn't if they wanted to. There is no merit test; people marry despite histories of domestic violence, rape or child abuse. Why would couples determine the value of their own vows based on who else is allowed to take them?

The state constitution should never be amended to limit Californians' right to their own personal and religious beliefs. It should scrupulously uphold equal rights under the law. That is what it now does, based on a state Supreme Court ruling this year affirming a right to same-sex marriage. Voters should not take the extraordinary step of amending the constitution to take a right away. They should reject Proposition 8.

Those who would impose their own intensely personal or religious feelings about marriage ignore the word's equally important secular and legal definitions. Marriage confers a whole range of rights and responsibilities around inheritance, parenthood, medical decision-making, tax benefits and liabilities, and on and on. In American law, all of these are affected by marriage.

California has a domestic-partnership law that covers many of these areas, but it's a second-class recognition that is not routinely accorded the respect of marriage. And if Proposition 8 passes, it could lead to a rollback of some of the rights same-sex couples now enjoy.

The benefit of the institution of marriage to civic life is immense. Strong families based on committed couples build strong communities and a stable society. The law should encourage this commitment.

Some hold as a religious belief that homosexuality is a choice. Science points to the contrary, as do centuries of prejudice against homosexuality: Historically, being gay rarely has brought individuals a special benefit in society.

Affirming a right to same-sex marriage over the long run would increase acceptance of the reality that sexual orientation is predetermined - like race and ethnicity, it may be hidden, but it can't be changed. Legal discrimination of the kind embodied in Proposition 8 discourages tolerance and can foster hate crimes.

This summer, judges and other Bay Area officials empowered to perform weddings have been overwhelmed with joyous occasions. Couples who've been together 20, 30 and 40 years are coming forward to exchange vows. They don't need marriage to prove their commitment, but the legal bond means a great deal, as it should.

All couples who exchange vows know, in their own hearts, the depth and spiritual meaning of their union. That is for them, not others, to determine. The law should not discriminate in marriage. And Californians should not amend their constitution to take away a human right it now confers. Vote no on Proposition 8.

Robust responses to ‘low blow’ of leaked Williams letters

2008-08-15T12:46:00.001-07:00

NINETEEN senior bishops, led by the Bishop of Durham, Dr Tom Wright, have protested in a strongly worded letter about what they describe as the "gross misrepresentation" of the Archbishop of Canterbury in The Times.

Under the front-page headline "Archbishop believes gay sex is as good as marriage", and the inside headline that said that he believed it "equivalent to marriage", extracts were published on Thursday of last week from leaked private correspondence, exchanged eight years ago between Dr Williams as Archbishop of Wales and Dr Deborah Pitt, a psychiatrist and Evangelical who had sought his views on sexuality. In the letters, he reflected on 20 years of study and prayer, which had led him to conclude that "an active sexual relationship between two people of the same sex might therefore reflect the love of God in a way comparable to marriage, if and only if it had about it the same character of absolute covenanted faithfulness." Dr Williams expresses his belief that the Bible forbade promiscuity rather than gay sex. He noted Canon Jeffrey John as among academics who had influenced his thinking. He emphasised the distinction between the individual reflections of a theologian and the position a church leader had to take, and regreted the politicising of the issue. The Archbishop responded to the news report the day after it was published, restating his acceptance of Lambeth Resolution 1.10 as stating the position of the Anglican Communion, "and thus as providing the authoritative basis on which I as Archbishop speak". He acknowledged the contributions he had made "as a professional theologian" to the continuing discussion, but made it clear that "no individual's speculations about this have any authority of themselves. Our Anglican Church has never exercised close control over what individual theologians may say." The Bishops' letter questions the motives and timing of the release of the letters, and deplores the capital some churchmen sought to make out of them "as though they were 'news'". The Presiding Bishop of the Southern Cone, the Most Revd Greg Venables, had described the correspondence as "more evidence of the unravelling of Anglicanism" in a follow-up story in The Times last Friday, headlined: "Dr Williams 'has made a split inevitable in the Anglican Church'". The Bishops' letter describes Dr Williams's proposal as "far more cautious in content, and tentative in tone" than the news reports and headlines imply. They draw attention to his statement in one letter that same-sex relationships differ from marriage "because marriage has other dimensions to do with children and society". They also refer to his repeated insistence that there is a difference between "thinking aloud" as a theologian, and the task of a bishop to uphold the Church's teaching. The Bishops say that Dr Williams's final presidential address to the Lambeth Conference (News, 8 August) presented clear reaffirmations "in the context of a powerful and clearly thought out address, as the fresh articulation of the mind of the church, not as an opinion which he was bound to express, but from which he privately wanted to dissent". They conclude: "He has our full and unqualified support in his magnificent leadership both of the Church of England and of the Anglican Communion." Several Evangelical bishops were among the signatories. The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, the Rt Revd George Cassidy, said on Monday that the story was "an old thing, and looked pique-ish because the Lambeth Conference had achieved a greater harmony. . . "Rowan played a blinder at the Conference, showing masterful leadership in a non-pejorative and non-belligerent way. It was very subtle," Bishop Cassidy said. "This was the last thing he needed." The Global South Anglican group described the release of the letters as "a low blow". It issued a reminder that Dr Williams had stated his position at the Red Sea Encounter in 2005, when he told the conservative group that while he had "in the past raised questions about this . . . the fact remains that the Church is not persuaded. . . I am loyal to the Church which has asked me to serve. . . So, the authority that I accept has to be the authority of the whole body." The Bishops' letter and Dr Williams's response to the coverage is at www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/1930

See Press Does this leaked correspondence matter now?
Robust responses to 'low blow' of leaked Williams letters
Church Times, UK - 20 hours ago