tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-114307362024-03-05T23:56:33.266-09:00musingsMy thoughts and musings which are occasionally orthodox but much more likely to be considered heretical.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger839125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-67541186354163859942013-08-04T20:04:00.002-08:002013-08-04T20:04:25.338-08:00New sermon postedMy sermon is posted for today at: <a href="http://episcopalpadresermons.blogspot.com/2013/08/sermon-for-sunday-august-4th-2013.html">http://episcopalpadresermons.blogspot.com/2013/08/sermon-for-sunday-august-4th-2013.html</a><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 26px; text-indent: 48px;">You can find the podcast of this sermon in ITunes by searching in the ITunes store for Epsicopalpadre@gmail.com</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-49724017741381534692013-07-21T07:34:00.001-08:002013-07-22T16:30:28.941-08:00new sermon posted for Sermon for Sunday, July 21, 2013The sermon for today is now posted <a href="http://episcopalpadresermons.blogspot.com/">here</a>. I'm working on uploading the podcast of it and will post here when it is available. <br />
<br />
The podcast is available at: <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sermons/id677244220">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sermons/id677244220</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-79294937119977219742013-07-02T17:58:00.002-08:002013-07-02T17:58:43.104-08:00Sermon postedthe sermon for last Sunday has been posted. You can view it <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8226857394535010993#editor/target=post;postID=8507154054433121925;onPublishedMenu=overview;onClosedMenu=overview;postNum=0;src=postname">here</a>. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-71231943715913570932013-03-31T09:46:00.001-08:002013-03-31T09:47:23.919-08:00Easter Sunday sermonMy Easter Sunday sermon has been posted <a href="http://episcopalpadresermons.blogspot.com/2013/03/sermon-for-easter-sunday-march-31-2013.html">here</a>: Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-12042241297681184052013-03-26T18:18:00.001-08:002013-03-26T18:18:52.783-08:00think about it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3MshNs6ELvo/UVJXAqJyBSI/AAAAAAAACKc/APxSbCvQVT8/s1600/stupid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3MshNs6ELvo/UVJXAqJyBSI/AAAAAAAACKc/APxSbCvQVT8/s320/stupid.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-38968935082156834402013-03-26T18:13:00.001-08:002013-03-26T18:13:53.144-08:00the march of time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKJLNWMkyUo/UVJV1UFXq6I/AAAAAAAACKU/zJbKqlyKgd8/s1600/great+prog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lKJLNWMkyUo/UVJV1UFXq6I/AAAAAAAACKU/zJbKqlyKgd8/s320/great+prog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-70802651266798704702012-05-29T17:10:00.000-08:002012-05-29T17:10:02.953-08:00Lessons from dogsLive simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-27561397764244524172011-12-19T03:41:00.001-09:002011-12-19T03:41:02.632-09:00seeing JesusThe only way we can see Jesus in others, in the hunger and thirst and<br />
nakedness and estrangement and imprisonment of others, is to have known him<br />
ourselves and to have met him in those very places in our own lives. The<br />
only way we can touch Jesus in others is to have touched him in the broken<br />
places of our own lives, the very places where he has come to seek us out<br />
and to offer us salvation. - Br. David VryhofUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-89473504608165773822011-12-04T20:19:00.000-09:002011-12-04T20:19:36.067-09:00Couldn't say it better myself!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-no8Jz_2MRwA/TtxUWRaMsZI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/D_d7Ytnp5dE/s1600/stop%2Busing%2Bjesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-no8Jz_2MRwA/TtxUWRaMsZI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/D_d7Ytnp5dE/s400/stop%2Busing%2Bjesus.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-13646266434297974102011-10-09T12:39:00.000-08:002011-10-09T12:39:30.303-08:00Come and Find the Quiet Center<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Juh7UpbHEMk" width="420"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-76485456444158710332011-09-17T07:31:00.001-08:002011-09-17T07:31:49.545-08:00WWJD<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">If you ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?" you will always end up answering the question yourself. If you ask yourself, "What did Jesus do?" then Jesus will answer your question.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">From the very talented Jonathan who has the blog MadPriest. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-54211914464162901862011-07-27T08:15:00.001-08:002011-07-27T08:15:58.771-08:00Husband and husband<iframe frameborder="0" height="272" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/xjynan_the-next-generation_people" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjynan_the-next-generation_people" target="_blank">The next generation?</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/satellithias" target="_blank">satellithias</a></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-37791636906150141652011-07-04T09:17:00.000-08:002011-07-04T09:17:25.066-08:00GAY SOLDIER' PARENTS FIGHT MARRIAGE BANThis is very powerful.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Bl3K9ph4Ud4" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-42325344962241884862011-06-22T17:26:00.001-08:002011-06-22T17:26:34.911-08:00Hey, Soul Sisterhaven't posted in quite a while and love this song!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kVpv8-5XWOI" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-11966831536745809052011-02-10T17:20:00.003-09:002011-02-10T17:21:55.015-09:00word play<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational once again invited readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition.<br />
<br />
Scroll down to check out some winners. The English language needs this...<br />
</span><br />
Here are the winners:<br />
<br />
1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time.<br />
<br />
2. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.<br />
<br />
3. Intaxicaton: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.<br />
<br />
4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.<br />
<br />
5. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.<br />
<br />
6. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid<br />
<br />
7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.<br />
<br />
8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.<br />
<br />
9. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.<br />
<br />
10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)<br />
<br />
11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.<br />
<br />
12. Decafalon (n): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.<br />
<br />
13. Glibido: All talk and no action.<br />
<br />
14. Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.<br />
<br />
15. Arachnoleptic Fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.<br />
<br />
16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.<br />
<br />
17. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a worm in the fruit you're eating.<span style="color: navy;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">18) lubrican n. 1) balm used in lieu of flowers, jewelry, fine dinin. 2) scoring a run without lifting a bat. 3) antonymn of lubricant.</span><span style="color: navy; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<br />
The Washington Post has also published the winning submissions to its yearly contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternate meanings for common words.<br />
<br />
And the winners are:<br />
<br />
1. Coffee, n. The person upon whom one coughs.<br />
<br />
2. Flabbergasted, adj. Appalled by discovering how much weight one has gained.<br />
<br />
3. Abdicate, v. To give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.<br />
<br />
4. Esplanade, v. To attempt an explanation while drunk.<br />
<br />
5. Willy-nilly, adj. Impotent.<br />
<br />
6. Negligent, adj. Absent mindedly answering the door when wearing only a nightgown.<br />
<br />
7. Lymph, v. To walk with a lisp.<br />
<br />
8. Gargoyle, n. Olive-flavored mouthwash.<br />
<br />
9. Flatulence, n. Emergency vehicle that picks up someone who has been run over by a steamroller.<br />
<br />
10. Balderdash, n. A rapidly receding hairline.<br />
<br />
11. Testicle, n. A humorous question on an exam.<br />
<br />
12. Rectitude, n. The formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.<br />
<br />
13. Pokemon, n. A Rastafarian proctologist.<br />
<br />
14. Oyster, n. A person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.<br />
<br />
15. Frisbeetarianism, n. The belief that, after death, the soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.<br />
<br />
16. Circumvent, n. An opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-61317913527163929592010-12-31T10:59:00.001-09:002010-12-31T10:59:07.881-09:00giving to god<img alt="cid:5A75E4097E3F4718A5754F1E97A01120@DF05GY91" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=18227f24ac&view=att&th=12d3dfefe3a984cc&attid=0.2&disp=emb&zw" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-59739477873108035702010-12-24T16:46:00.000-09:002010-12-24T16:46:06.344-09:00Oh Happy Day! (Full version) - Choeur Gospel Célébration de Québec & Syl...<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/a37bBm8pXSk?fs=1" frameborder="0"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-78824765453410088372010-11-16T16:39:00.000-09:002010-11-16T16:39:55.111-09:00View of GodThis was posted by a young friend of mine. It shows what a poor job the church has done in sharing the good news. Considering what you tend to hear from tele-evangelists I loved the "he needs money" line. Certainly what way too many people are hearing! We need to do better! <br />
<br />
Here is what my friend had to say: <br />
<br />
<h6 style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span>Religion has convinced people that there’s an invisible man living in<br />
the sky who watches everything you do... And<br />
the man has a list of ten things he doesn’t want you<br />
to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special<br />
place of torture and anguish for you to<br />
<span>...</span><span>live forever, and suffer and burn and scream until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you and he needs money.</span></span></h6><div><span><span><br />
</span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-69885557620845677512010-10-10T16:42:00.000-08:002010-10-10T16:42:07.209-08:00Alex now destroying his toys<object style="background-image:url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/wg9KbzJQlm0/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wg9KbzJQlm0?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wg9KbzJQlm0?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-55100303272447739262010-10-10T16:38:00.000-08:002010-10-10T16:38:23.802-08:00Alex really enjoying his new toys!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyqhmYirfVfpVHc6NWLeII1BtWCLIVud4d8SpJf00ZKAWFA_DBeQAjpd3ecr6ocDD9uIhtPAPKRCDk' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Alex is really enjoying his new toys!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-30375038228229779472010-10-07T12:03:00.002-08:002010-10-07T12:03:36.958-08:00How to Avoid Stewardship<h2 class="storytitle" id="post-2995" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font: italic normal normal 150%/normal Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://frtim.wordpress.com/2010/10/07/how-to-avoid-stewardship/" rel="bookmark" style="color: #5b211a; text-decoration: none;" title="Permanent Link: How to Avoid Stewardship">How to Avoid Stewardship</a></h2><div class="storycontent" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><div style="line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://frtim.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/offering-plate.jpg" style="color: #5b211a; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-2997" height="199" src="http://frtim.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/offering-plate.jpg?w=300&h=199" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 2px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 7px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" title="Photo of a Collection Plate" width="300" /></a>As stewardship season rolls around, I thought I would offer some tips on how to avoid growing your faith through financial generosity. These are practical applications for those who prefer King Midas’ touch to the healing touch of Christ the King.</div><div style="line-height: 22px;">1. Tell the rector that you are “morally opposed” to pledging. After all, shouldn’t the church live up to its name as a community of “faith” and take it on faith that there will be enough money to pay for the rector’s health benefits?</div><div style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 22px;">To read the rest go <a href="http://frtim.wordpress.com/2010/10/07/how-to-avoid-stewardship/">here</a>. </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-54047648562870767082010-10-04T11:14:00.000-08:002010-10-04T11:14:16.203-08:00The Anglican Communion and homosexualityPlease read this <a href="http://inchatatime.blogspot.com/2010/09/headline-was-archbishop-of-canterbury.html">excellent blog entry</a> from the Rev. Susan Russel. She says it is a rant, but it is a well though out post worth reading. <br />
<br />
just a snippet here:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">"While Rowan Williams is whining about homosexuality "wounding the side" of the institutional church, he remains blind to the cancer of homophobia that is spreading in the Body of Christ. And it's time somebody pointed out the difference."</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-54944080991883080662010-09-26T13:32:00.000-08:002010-09-26T13:32:42.842-08:00Prayer of confessionThis prayer of confession was used to Seward Memorial United Methodist Church today:<br />
<br />
"Compassionate and merciful God, we confess that we sometimes ignore our responsibilities to you and to humanity. If ever we trample on the rights of others while asserting our own right: God forgive. If ever we sit by the sidelines, doing nothing, but criticizing those who do: God forgive. If ever, by our example and deed, we hurt little ones or cause them to do wrong: God forgive. Grant, O God, that our lives might be flavored with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, as salt flavors food. Amen."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-19441145539949457462010-09-23T06:44:00.002-08:002010-09-23T06:44:45.554-08:00Bennison refuses to resignSadly no surprise here on this from EpiscopalLife Online. <br />
<br />
<h1>PENNSYLVANIA: Bishop declines request to resign </h1><span class="byline">By Mary Frances Schjonberg, September 22, 2010</span> <div id="article_img"> </div><span class="source">[Episcopal News Service]</span> Saying he has "always been, innocent of the charges against me," <a href="http://www.diopa.org/" target="_blank">Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania</a> Bishop Charles Bennison <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/Microsoft_Word_-_Bennison_statement_in_response_to_HOB_9_22_10__3_.pdf" target="_blank">announced</a> late Sept. 22 that he would not honor his colleagues' request that he resign his position. Bennison, via a statement e-mailed to Episcopal News Service by his publicist, said that he hoped "the suffering I have endured during the past three years has strengthened me and will enable me to work for reconciliation within the diocese." <br />
The House of Bishops <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_124669_ENG_HTM.htm" target="_blank">announced </a>their request at the end of their Sept. 16-21 fall gathering in Phoenix, Arizona. In a lengthy and strongly worded "mind of the house" <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/Bennison_resolution_9-21-10%281%29.pdf" target="_blank">resolution</a>, they said they were "profoundly troubled by the outcome of the disciplinary action" against Bennison, and had concluded that his "capacity to exercise the ministry of pastoral oversight is irretrievably damaged."<br />
"Therefore, we exhort Charles, our brother in Christ, in the strongest possible terms, to tender his immediate and unconditional resignation as the bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania," the bishops said. <br />
"We will continue to pray for Charles, his family, and every person who has been hurt by the church," the bishops said.<br />
Bennison replied in his statement that he appreciated the prayers of his peers in the House of Bishops "and understand that they are concerned for the welfare of my soul."<br />
"However, they have no cause to be worried," he said.<br />
The Rev. Glenn Matis, president of the Standing Committee, told ENS late Sept. 22 that he was "not surprised by Bishop Bennison's statement."<br />
"He has made it crystal clear to us that he will not resign or retire," he said in an e-mailed statement. "The only hope we have is that when he reaches the mandatory age of 72, he will resign or retire. This diocese is facing major issues of finances, property, and declining church membership. Under his leadership, it is a just matter of time before we are facing serious financial problems. His continued presence among us will further divide the diocese."<br />
Bennison, 66, <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_124082_ENG_HTM.htm" target="_blank">resumed</a> his role as diocesan bishop Aug. 16, some 11 days after the church's Court of Review for the <a href="http://generalconvention.org/ccab/mandate/36" target="_blank">Trial of a Bishop</a> overturned a lower church court's <a href="http://episcopalchurch.org/documents/2-2-09_final_judgement_and_sentence.pdf" target="_blank">finding</a> that he ought to be deposed (removed) from ordained ministry because he had engaged in conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy. The review court agreed with one of the lower court's two findings of misconduct, but said that Bennison could not be deposed because the charge was barred by the church's statute of limitations. <br />
Episcopal Church canons have no time limit for bringing claims arising out of physical violence, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a person younger than 21 years <a href="http://www.episcopalarchives.org/pdf/CnC/CandC_2009pp123-166.pdf" target="_blank">(Canon IV.19.4(a) and (b)</a>. The statute of limitations on other offenses committed by clergy is 10 years, with certain exceptions extending the time period by a small number of additional years.<br />
The decision by the Court of Review for the Trial of a Bishop is <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/A-51_Final_Judgment_%283%29.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
The lower court, the <a href="http://generalconvention.org/ccab/mandate/33" target="_blank">Court for the Trial of a Bishop</a>, had called for Bennison's deposition after it found that 35 years ago when he was rector of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Upland, California, he failed to respond properly after learning that his brother, John Bennison, was "engaged in a sexually abusive and sexually exploitive relationship" with a minor parishioner. At the time, John Bennison was a 24-year-old newly ordained deacon (later priest) whom Charles Bennison had hired as youth minister. The abuse allegedly lasted for more than three years from the time the minor was 14 years old.<br />
Charles Bennison was found to have failed to discharge his pastoral obligations to the girl, the members of her family, and the members of the parish youth group as well as church authorities after he learned of his brother's behavior. The court said that he suppressed the information about his brother until 2006, when he disclosed publicly what he knew.<br />
Bennison had been inhibited (prevented) from exercising his ordained ministry since the fall of 2007 when the disciplinary action began. The ban expired with the review court's decision.<br />
"I have deep compassion for the young woman who was abused," Bennison said in his statement. "If I could have prevented that abuse, I would certainly have done so. But I did not know of the relationship until it was over, and I can not pretend otherwise."<br />
"I have nothing but affection for her and for her parents, whom I loved very much, and if there were any way that I could help her now, I would do so," he said, but added that his resignation "will not ease her pain or remove the sting of the abusive relationship."<br />
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The bishop concluded that he hoped that "the members of the diocese and I can put the past behind us and work together to achieve our goals."<br />
In the middle of the House of Bishops' meeting, an <a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20100919_Bishop_s_return_puts_church_in_a_quandary.html" target="_blank">article</a> about the tension in the diocese appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper. It quotes Bennison as calling the efforts to depose him "Machiavellian," the charges against him "Kafka-esque," and his 2007 inhibition "craziness."<br />
"Church leaders wanted him out, he surmised, because of his sometimes-divisive leadership style and controversial financial priorities," the paper reported.<br />
The diocesan Standing Committee has been at odds with Bennison <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_79573_ENG_HTM.htm" target="_blank">since</a> the mid-2000s over concerns about how he managed the diocese's assets and other issues. More than once in the past the Standing Committee has called for Bennison's resignation, including on the day he returned to work in August. Most recently, the Standing Committee had <a href="http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_124409_ENG_HTM.htm" target="_blank">asked</a> for the help of the House of Bishops for its "support and assistance" in securing Bennison's retirement or resignation.<br />
<div class="authorInfo"> -- The Rev. Mary Frances Schjonberg is a national correspondent for the Episcopal News Service and editor of Episcopal News Monthly and Episcopal News Quarterly. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11430736.post-57212637372604445382010-09-21T17:32:00.000-08:002010-09-21T17:32:27.572-08:00HOB calls on Bp. Bennison to resign I'm very pleased at the strong position taken by the HOB as shown in the release below. Sadly I'm guessing Bp. Bennison will just consider this more of his sharing the cross of Jesus. This guy just seems incapable of getting it! <br />
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The Episcopal Church<br />
Office of Public Affairs<br />
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House of Bishops to Charles Bennison: “We exhort Charles, our brother in Christ, in the strongest possible terms, to tender his immediate and unconditional resignation as the Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania.”<br />
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[September 21, 2010] The House of Bishop of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Phoenix, AZ, approved the following resolution:<br />
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Grace to you and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord. As the bishops of The Episcopal Church, bound by solemn vows to share in the governance of the whole church, guard its unity, and defend those who have no helper, we are committed to safeguarding the dignity of every person entrusted to our care. We are devoted especially to the care of the young, the weak, and those most vulnerable among us. Because of the depth of these commitments, long held among us, we are profoundly troubled by the outcome of the disciplinary action against the Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, The Right Reverend Charles E. Bennison, Jr.<br />
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In a lengthy judicial process Bishop Bennison was found guilty on two counts of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy during a lengthy judicial process. Subsequently, the Court of Review reversed one count, upheld one count, but vacated the sentence because the statute of limitations had expired. We respect the decision of the Court of Review and we share their disappointment and find the ultimate resolution of this matter unsatisfactory and morally repugnant. The wholly inadequate response of our brother bishop to the sexual assault upon a minor is an inexcusable violation of his ordination vows. We note here two excerpts from the decisions of the ecclesiastical court:<br />
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The tragedy of this conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy is exacerbated by the fact that, during the trial of the case, Appellant testified that, upon reflection on his failure to act, he concludes that his actions were “just about right.” They were not just about right. They were totally wrong. Appellant’s testimony on this subject revealed impaired judgment with regard to the conduct that is the subject of the First Offence and that is clearly and unequivocally conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy. (Court of Review, page 25).<br />
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… we find that Appellant committed conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy. Because the statute of limitations has run on that offense, we have no choice under the canons of the Church but to reverse the judgment of the Trial Court finding that Appellant is guilty of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy . . . (Court of Review, page 38).<br />
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The bishops of this church stand in unequivocal solidarity with anyone who has been sexually abused or mistreated by a member of our clergy or by any member of our church. We apologize, out of the depths of God’s compassion for every human being, to the woman who has been victimized by Bishop Bennison’s lack of responsible action, and to all those who have in any way been hurt by our church. We are deeply sorry and we are committed to consistent discipline for those who bring shame upon the Body of Christ by sinful, demeaning, and selfish behavior that takes from another human being their God-given dignity.<br />
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As the House of Bishops, we have come to the conclusion that Bishop Bennison’s capacity to exercise the ministry of pastoral oversight is irretrievably damaged. Therefore, we exhort Charles, our brother in Christ, in the strongest possible terms, to tender his immediate and unconditional resignation as the Bishop of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. For the sake of the wholeness and unity of the body of Christ, in the Diocese of Pennsylvania and in the church, we implore our brother to take this action without further delay.<br />
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This matter has weighed heavily upon the hearts of every member of the House of Bishops and it has been held in prayer not only among us, but by the good and faithful clergy and people of our church. We will continue to pray for Charles, his family, and every person who has been hurt by the church. We pledge to continue to seek God’s guidance and we resolve to lead our church with compassion, justice, and mercy.<br />
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For more info contact:<br />
Neva Rae Fox<br />
Public Affairs Officer<br />
The Episcopal Church<br />
<a href="mailto:newsline@episcopalchurch.org" target="_blank">newsline@episcopalchurch.org</a><br />
212-716-6080 Mobile: 917-478-5659Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0