Author Archives: David

Apology to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two Spirit, Plus Community in the Diocese of Toronto from Bishop Andrew Asbil

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You knew it was coming. Here it is. It does go on a bit.

If you want to see the tears, go here.

Read it all here:

As your Bishop, I apologize for the times and ways that we have failed to honour and cherish you, beloved children of God, made in the image of our Creator, redeemed by the love of our Saviour and embraced by the Holy Spirit.

I apologize for the teachings, words and actions that indicated that you are unwelcome, that you stand outside the grace and love of God in Jesus Christ and that you are unworthy to serve fully as members of the Body of Christ because of your sexual identity and orientation.

I apologize for the teachings, words and actions that have diminished your humanity, sexuality and identity and perpetuated the sins of homophobia and transphobia in the Church.

I apologize for the teachings, words and actions that marginalised queer members, many of whom have left the Anglican Church. I am sorry for the hurt inflicted on you and your families and friends who have also suffered. Deeper still, I am sorry for queer people who fell into despair and depression or chose to end their lives by suicide because we failed to support them with love and acceptance.

I apologize for the times that we have been silent in the face of homophobic/transphobic comments, slurs and whispers that created a culture of aggression and oppression further injuring you……

And so on – and on and on.

A footnote contains an explanation of “queer”. It’s supposed to encompass anyone who doesn’t think LGBTQ2S+ is inclusive enough.

While LGBTQ2S+ specifically identifies lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning and two spirit, the term “queer” is far broader. It includes but is not limited to all of those who identify with the letters in the acronym above, but also includes those who identify as non-binary, pansexual, allies and more. It is in the spirit of inclusion that I use both terms.

What about necrophiliacs, zoophiles, libidoist asexuals, polyamorists, sadists, masochists and the plain libidinous (I know, that is so yesterday), you may be wondering. There’s always next year.

Anglican clergy complain that town is not flying a Pride flag

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The Petawawa town council voted against flying a Pride flag this June.

This has upset some Anglican clergy in the area, prompting them to write a letter to the mayor saying that this sends the wrong “message to the members of the LGBTQ2S+ community”.

Petawawa, for those who might be unfamiliar with it, is a town of around 17,000 people located in the Ottawa Valley. It is the home of a Canadian Forces base and attracts hikers, fishermen and canoeists.

As you can imagine, a rural town of 17,000 is positively seething with LGBTQ2S+ residents. Are there enough to form a community, though? Do they have their own community hall? Are they comprised entirely of the five complaining Anglican clergy? I’m not sure.

Funnily enough, one of the clergy is the Right Reverend Michael Bird. That name rings a bell, although I can quite put my finger on why.

From here:

Five Anglican ministers are expressing disappointment with the recent decision by the Petawawa town council to not fly the Pride flag because of a 23 year old municipal resolution prohibiting such public displays.

The ministers from the Parish of the Valley made their point about Resolution 11 in an open letter addressed to Mayor Bob Sweet released Wednesday.

All Saints Anglican Church, one of the churches in the parish, is steps away from the Petawawa Town Hall and it has raised a Pride flag in solidarity with LGBTQ2S+ residents of Petawawa.

“We pray that the presence of the flag at the church will be a visible reminder of members of our community of God’s unconditional love for all people,” the letter, which is signed by five ministers — The Right Reverend Michael Bird, Archdeacon of Pembroke, Rev. Susan Clifford, Rev. Matthew Brown, Rev. Gillian Hoyer and Rev. Richard Durrett — states.

Anglican Apologies R Us

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Apologies are the in thing, so the Diocese of Toronto is going to issue another one. This time to the “LGBTQ2S+ community”. I’m not sure what the diocese has to apologise for: they have a homosexual bishop, the clergy regularly cavort in the Toronto Pride Parade and rainbow stoles are ubiquitous.

We’ll find out Friday. I can hardly wait.

From here:

On Friday, June 25 at 10 a.m., Bishop Andrew Asbil will issue an apology to the Diocese’s LGBTQ2S+ community. This comes after months of prayerful reflection, intentional consultation and conversation with various members of our Diocese, and for Bishop Andrew personally, decades of walking alongside this community. He has invited those who have helped to shape the apology to be present with him and the College of Bishops at St. James Cathedral. Only those who have been invited will be admitted.

We hope you will watch the live stream on the diocesan YouTube channel and join Bishop Andrew in this significant moment in our life together as a Diocese.

Bishop Lincoln Mckoen defrocked

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Lincoln Mckoen is no longer an ordained minister in the Anglican Church of Canada. After admitting to sending “inappropriate sexualized electronic communications”, he was inhibited by Archbishop Lynne McNaughton. He is no longer a bishop or priest in the Anglican Church of Canada.

McNaughton stated that: “The possibility is that there might be other allegations come forward”.

It’s astonishing that at a time when the church encourages and declares holy a culture of MSM amongst its clergy, not to mention devotion to Pride Month, a celebration of almost every sexual perversion known to man, a bishop can be fired for broadcasting naughty pictures of himself. Perhaps he let the ecclesiastical side down by advertising his masculine inadequacy.

From here:

A B.C. bishop who resigned over sexual misconduct allegations has been defrocked.

Archbishop Lynne McNaughton, who heads the Anglican Church in B.C. and Yukon, told CBC News that Lincoln Mckoen was no longer a bishop or priest and would not be able to work as an Anglican priest anywhere in Canada.

“It’s really important that we need to protect people from sexual misconduct,” said McNaughton.

[….]

She said the Anglican Church had made errors in the past by “moving priests or putting allegations aside, as part of the terrible, terrible legacy of things like residential schools.”

She said clergy are now being trained in the church’s zero tolerance policy for sexual misconduct with clear guidelines “to keep people safe.”

McNaughton said the alleged misconduct is not a criminal offence under the law.

Fergus priest drawing Renegade Rainbows

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The caption on the photo of Rev. Anne Turner, below, reads: “Rev. Ann Turner is the Rector at St. James Anglican Church in Fergus and begins each gathering with a land acknowledgement.”

It’s always puzzled me that those who are pressed by the weight of guilt into acknowledging that the land their building occupies really belongs to someone else never experience – or obey – the urge to give it back.

Still, Rev. Turner makes up for it by encouraging everyone to draw rainbows everywhere. Especially since it’s June. We’re all drawing rainbows. Even Jesus. Sorry, no, scratch that, the Rev. doesn’t mention Jesus at all.

Read it all here:

You might see her walking through the streets of Fergus wearing her clerical collar and talking to community members, running the service at St. James Anglican Church or working with community LGBTQ+ initiatives.

For years, Rev. Ann Turner has been an openly out priest with St. James Anglican Church in Fergus and has been a staple in the community while bridging the gap between marginalized communities and faith-based organizations.

[…..]

Turner said she was happy to help build community inclusivity through various initiatives, like Renegade Rainbows, an initiative that encouraged community members across Centre Wellington to draw chalk rainbows on their sidewalk.

“There were little kids out drawing rainbows, there were seniors drawing rainbows and everything in between,” Turner said. “That was something absolutely anybody could do and it made a statement to those folks who might feel like they are outside the community.”

The St. James Anglican Church also flies the pride flag during the month of June.
“We also have the rainbow on our sign and rainbows on everything that’s attached to us, and all our programmes to make sure folks know that there’s a spot and there’s a safe place that’s out there,” Turner said.

How to have fun with a hacker

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A friend recently had her email password stolen by an Internet thief who promptly proceeded to email everyone on her contact list. I was one and this was our conversation – as you know, Anglicans love to have conversations (name changed to protect the innocent):

Him:
Subject: FAVOR TO ASK……………..GRETTA
Hello,
How are you doing? I need a favor from you. I would have loved to give you a call now however can’t get to call right now, Kindly let me know if you are Online..
Await Your Reply..

Me:
Sure, what do you need?

Him:
Thanks for your response, I need to get google play gift Cards for my nephew, it’s his birthday today and I totally forgot I can’t do this now because I’m currently on a short trip. can you help get from any store around you? l’ll pay you as soon as I am back. kindly let me know if you can handle this.

Thanks

Me:
Yes, of course.

Him:
Thanks so much. Total amount needed is $300 in ($100 increment). Please I will need you to scratch the back of the card to reveal the pin, then take a snap shot of the back showing the pin and have them email to me and I can forward to him.

Me:
OK. What is google play exactly and where do I find a store?

Him:
Google play is a card that is use to download online applications, You can get the cards at any grocery store or pharmacy around you. Just keep me posted once you find it, Okay?

Me:
I don’t have my car at the moment. Can you give me a ride to the store so I can pick up a Poodle Play Card for you?

Him:
I’m not around to do this that what I’m saying.

Me:
Oh, sorry. Where are you then?

Him:
I went on a short trip and I will be back tommorow noon to pay you.

Me:
Ah, OK, got it. Truth is, Gretta, I’m a bit short on cash at the moment but if you give me your credit card number, expiry and PIN, I should be able to get round to the grocery store this afternoon to pick up a Poodle Play Card for you.

And….. no answer. This fellow, neither very bright nor imaginative, was probably a drone working on commission for a criminal organisation. The only favourable thing I can say about him is that he didn’t end up swearing at me. That’s what usually happens.

Canadian Pastor arrested for breaking COVID rules

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From here:

Christian pastor Tim Stephens was arrested a second time by members of the Calgary Police Service yesterday for allegedly breaking COVID-19 health rules. The pastors’ kids were in tears as they witnessed their father being hauled away by cops from their home.

Previously, police had searched for and discovered the location of Stephens’ underground church service last Sunday by using a helicopter.

What exactly are these COVID rules, you may be wondering. I have no idea because, although this G7 bunch appear to be breaking them, no one is arresting them. Some animals are more equal than others.

The decline and fall of Bishop Lincoln McKoen

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Bishop Lincoln Mckoen was inhibited on June 1st 2021 for unspecified reasons, although there were dark hints of sexual shenanigans.

Now he has resigned or, one presumes, had resignation thrust upon him, much as Jeffrey Epstein was suicided. McKoen has been sending naughty pictures to someone with whom he was in (more than) a “pastoral relationship”.

From here:

On June 10th Lincoln Mckoen, former Bishop of the Territory of the People, resigned and relinquished the exercise of episcopal ministry. Archbishop Lynne McNaughton wrote to the people of the diocese on June 11th:

Lincoln Mckoen has resigned from his diocesan episcopal ministry because of allegations received on May 27,2021 that on occasions when Lincoln Mckoen presented himself as a priest (padre), bishop-elect or bishop he, by text and by images sent inappropriate sexualized electronic communications to an adult person who is resident outside the Ecclesiastical Province and with whom Lincoln Mckoen was in a pastoral relationship.

Lincoln Mckoen acknowledges that the allegations are well founded.

Pastoral care is being offered to the diocese and all affected. An interim Steering Committee has been put in place. The diocese now enters a time of grieving and discernment about its future episcopal leadership. Please join them in prayer.

Inhibition of Bishop Lincoln McKoen redux

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Bishop Lincoln McKoen was fired for reasons unspecified, an action that invites all manner of lurid speculation since it is so difficult to be declared persona non grata in the Anglican Church of Canada. Other than for being too orthodox, of course.

Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee has not helped by announcing that McKoen was inhibited for “sexual misconduct”. Now the ACoC is renowned for its tolerance – admiration even – of every possible sexual gratification known to man or beast; the ecclesiastical enthusiasm for the LGBT2QIA+ alphabet soup concoction is undiminished by its ever-increasing diversity or scope-creep as we like to say in the business world. McKoen could not, for example, be fired for having sex with a goat. That would be covered by the “+”. Or is it the “A”; I’m not sure but it must be covered somewhere.

Surely it would be best for everyone if the ACoC boldly announced what arcane province of sexual gratification McKoen explored to satisfy his appetites. That way we could at least add another letter to the acronymic community of LGBT… well, you know the rest. And avoid future embarrassment.

From here:

On Tuesday, June 3, 2021 I received notice that Archbishop Lynne McNaughton has, pursuant to canon law, formally inhibited Bishop Lincoln Mckoen from performing any of the duties of his office as bishop of the Territory of the People while allegations of sexual misconduct are being investigated. There is due process in the church, and he will have the support he needs to answer these charges. There are no criminal charges in this case.

Bishop Lincoln McKoen inhibited

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Lincoln McKoen, bishop of the Territory of the People, was consecrated on September 19, 2020 and fired on June 1st 2021. If nothing else, he can congratulate himself on holding the record for the shortest time between consecration and inhibition.

From here:

Announcement from the Primate
In 2001 the General Synod of The Anglican Church of Canada adopted A Call to Human Dignity: A Statement of Principles for the Anglican Church of Canada on Dignity, Inclusion and Fair Treatment.
In keeping with A Call to Human Dignity, the Council of the General Synod of The Anglican Church of Canada expressed a commitment to ensuring that those who hold positions of trust or power in the church do not take advantage of, or abuse, that trust or power. It is with this commitment in mind that I share with you the difficult decision made today by Archbishop Lynne McNaughton to inhibit Bishop Lincoln McKoen from his duties as diocesan bishop of the Territory of the People, effective immediately.

I am painfully aware of the impact this action will have on the Territory and parishes and I can assure you that the pastoral needs of the community will be a priority for the church over the coming months. Our calling is to prepare the way of the Lord by embracing truth, promoting healing and acting in love.

Whatever his transgression, it was not one of deviating from the unorthodoxy of the Anglican Church of Canada. McKoen resides proudly in the Camp of the Non-Saints. In response to an external legal opinion scolding the ACoC on its flouting of canon law by marrying same-sex couples, he recently wrote this:

I want to make this perfectly clear: I will not be closing the marriage canon. The Territory prides itself on being open, and inclusive for all people. I will not exclude members of the LGBTQ2SI+ community from the life of the Church. I will not consider Same Sex Marriage as “provisional” or “temporary” as the ACA wishes. I have found this document written by the ACA to be offensive and deeply insulting, regardless of whom wrote the legal opinion. I am terribly saddened this is one more attempt at relegating members of the Church, followers of Jesus Christ, as second class citizens of the kingdom of God because of their sexual orientation.