Why Muddled Delusions Galore (MDGs) won't help

The Anglican church’s idea of ending poverty is to assemble a bunch of old people, many of them men in funny Add an Imagepurple dresses, and get them to hold up traffic by parading along a street waving meaningless placards. After their exertions, they naturally repair to a posh venue to gorge themselves on delicacies.

Anglicans will gather in Ottawa and New York on Thursday, Sept. 25, to renew their call for governments around the world to demonstrate their commitment to end global poverty and other social justice priorities outlined by the United Nations Millennium Development goals (MDGs).

This is how Anglicans plan on ushering in the New Jerusalem.

Allowing free trade is a different approach and, according to the National Post is one that actually helps the poor rather than merely increasing the already substantial girth of pot-bellied bishops.

More human beings have escaped poverty in the past 20 years than in any equivalent period in the history of the world.

Since 1990, China and India have pulled hundreds of millions of their people out of want. Their people eat better, live longer, and enjoy some measure of security. As they have prospered, they have in turn enriched the advanced world, selling us cheap goods and services and buying our food and technology.

Ominously, the anti-recession actions undertaken by the advanced countries may well aggravate the global trade collapse. The U.S. House of Representatives stuck a “Buy American” provision into its US$800-billion-plus stimulus package. The Senate has now extended the measure, with a requirement that “all manufactured goods” purchased with government money come from US suppliers. This protectionist amendment carries the strong backing of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

More than the dialogue that so fascinates Obama, what the world needs most is trade, more trade. It is up to him to champion it, for his own country’s sake, and the world’s.

I wonder when Rowan Williams will march for free trade? Shortly after taking a stand against the rampant heresies in the North American church, I expect.

Diocese of Niagara: Michael Bird justifies his behaviour to Rowan Williams

Michael Bird, bishop of Niagara travelled to the UK to have a little chat with Rowan Williams:

In that interview I reviewed with him the multitude of task forces, hearings, Bishop’s statements, regional Add an Imageand parish meetings and the long list of Diocesan and General Synods that have discussed and wrestled with this issue [SSBs] since 1976.  I gave him a full account of our dealings with dissenting parishes and the court proceedings we have been involved in. I shared with Archbishop Rowan our experience of the incredible contribution that gay and lesbian people have made and continue to make in every aspect of our Church’s life and witness, and expressed the overwhelming desire on the part of two Synod’s to move forward with the blessing of committed same-sex relationships for couples who have been civilly married.  I also indicated to him my intentions with regard to my giving permission for these blessings to begin to take place.

Michael  Bird, the short one on the left,  travelled 3000 miles to explain to Rowan Williams that, far from doing what has been asked of all bishops, he has actually done the opposite. He is breaking the moratorium on same-sex blessings and, in a gracelessly unrestrained way, suing the pants off any parish that gets in his way.

Couldn’t he have told Rowan that with a phone call? It must be another Greening Niagara initiative.

Nevertheless, the wayward bishop, after shamelessly parading his furciferous behaviour in front of the big cheese, comes away with this impression:

It was a wonderful meeting and throughout our time together I felt listened to, respected and cared for and I am incredibly grateful for the privilege of having had this amazing experience.

Perhaps, behind his eyebrows  Rowan dozed off: I know Bird has that effect on me.

Hiltz Havoc

Fred Hiltz, is at it again:

In his New Year’s Day address at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa, Archbishop Hiltz said: “Across the board, irrespective of where bishops stand on the matter of blessing same-sex unions, no one is content with the continuing havoc created by cross-border interventions by Primates and bishops of jurisdictions other than their own. I remain committed to addressing the matter in the Communion and particularly at the meeting of the Primates next month in Egypt.”

First of all, the 26 ANiC parishes are very content to be under the jurisdiction of Greg Venables and the Province of the Southern Cone rather than the heretically inclined Anglican Church of Canada.

Secondly, the only havoc occurring is that being caused by Fred Hiltz and his bishops who are suing many of the ANiC parishes to seize their buildings for financial gain. On Tuesday, Hiltz is presenting this tripe to the rest of the Primates in Alexandria. I do hope they see through him.

Weasel Words from Colin Johnson, Bishop of Toronto

From here

The bishops of the Diocese of Toronto are proposing to respond pastorally in the matter of committed same-sex Add an Imagerelationships.

In making their proposal, the bishops made it clear they are attempting to work within the national House of Bishops’ 2007 statement on sexuality. In that document, the Canadian bishops said they are committed to “develop the most generous pastoral response possible within the current teaching of the church.”

At its monthly meeting of the Diocesan Council, held on January 29, 2009, the bishops outlined their proposal. The bishops plan to engage in a consultation process in order for the pastoral care of all Anglicans to be strengthened. They will implement their response when the bishops discern that it is appropriate.

The bishops’ proposal in offering a pastoral response is as follows:

  • Episcopal permission be given to a limited number of parishes, based on Episcopal discernment, to offer prayers and blessing (but not the nuptial blessing) to same-sex couples in stable, long-term, committed relationships, as an extension of the current pastoral norms.
  • Episcopal guidelines on the nature of the prayers/blessing will be established. A particular rite will not be authorized.
  • Episcopal permission for blessings will be required.
  • Evaluation of this pastoral response will be undertaken after one year.
  • No parish or clergy will be required to participate.
  • A Bishop’s Commission will be formed to create the guidelines, monitor activity and review.

Colin Johnson has realised that he is trailing in the contest for the title of the most heretical bishop in Canada. The lead was taken some time ago by Michael Ingham, followed closely by the bishops of Niagara, Ottawa and Montreal.

Not wishing to be left completely in the dust, but not having the guts to take the lead over arch-apostate Ingham, he has unequivocally – well, provisionally decided – ambivalently – on:

Blessing same-sex couples – well, long term same-sex couples.

Allowing parishes to bless same sex-couples – well, some parishes.

Praying for same-sex couples – well, not using an authorised rite.

Blessing same-sex relationships – well, not nuptial ones.

Agreeing with same-sex blessings – well, contingent on Episcopal discernment.

Getting on with same sex-blessings – well, make sure you ask him first.

Committing to following recommendations of General Synod and Lambeth – well, except the ones he disagrees with.

This message is brought to you with heartfelt conviction from Colin – the spineless wimp who is afraid to take a stand on anything, but wants to run with the pack – Johnson.

Hey now baby, get into my big black car. I’m a political Bishop and I practice what I preach.

Anglican bishops do like to pontificate on politics. A whole bunch of them are ganging up on poor old Gordon Brown and telling him he is doing a rotten job. Normally, nothing would give me greater pleasure than hearing the leader of a socialist government being excoriated; but in this case, the pot is calling the kettle black. If the bishops were not doing such a bad job themselves, more of the populace would be Christian and wouldn’t need the government interfering in their lives.

” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.” Luke 4:5.

Jesus resisted the temptation to further his kingdom through worldly power; Anglican bishops seem to have more trouble with that particular temptation. Politics is about the exercise of earthly power and the Anglican clerical elite seem all too willing to dive in. It’s hard not to get the impression that they are more comfortable with politics than faith  – more comfortable with social engineering than individual redemption.

Clergy  are as entitled as anyone else to comment on social issues; they would probably claim that their position infuses their meanderings on the social issues of the day with special import; it doesn’t. The implication that being theologically astute – I’m optimistically assuming that at least some western bishops fall into this category – is a qualification that lends insight on how to solve our economic woes and bring prosperity to the Third World is as likely as it being needed to remove someone’s appendix.

The bishops would like us to believe that a particular political slant naturally flows from a Christian perspective; but that is quite wrong. If it were not, all Christians would have the same politics, and obviously they don’t. After all, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama are – or were – all Christians.

And Cardinal Cormac Murphey O’Conner has his own view.

Announcing the 2008 Canadian Anglican Awards…

for dowfart of the year.

This year’s runner up:
Bishop Michael Bird for his burgeoning Napoleon complex and for persistently suing the pants off anyone who gets in his way.

And the prize goes to:
Archbishop Fred Hiltz for giving

“a continued commitment to the greatest extent possible to the three moratoria — on the blessing of same-sex unions, on the ordination to the episcopate of people in same-sex relationships and on cross-border interventions — until General Synod 2010.”

While simultaneously cheering on the dioceses of Ottawa, Montreal, New Westminster and Niagara for proceeding with same-sex blessings. And all done with aplomb and no hint of shame or embarrassment.

Honourable mentions:

  • Rev. Ephraim Radner for his ability to use so many words to say so little.
  • Bishop Cyrus Vance for trying to keep a roster of traitors.
  • The whole diocese of Niagara for ruining “Amazing Grace” for everyone.
  • Bishop Michael Ingham for trying to get rid of the most famous evangelical theologian alive today.
  • Archbishop Rowan Williams for proposing Sharia law in the UK while being unable to maintain any order whatsoever in the church he is pretending to run. Yes, I know he’s not Canadian, but I’m being inclusive.
  • Everyone at the ACI for changing the word “trajectory” into a theological term and then overusing it to the point of wearing it out.

The Anglican Church of Canada’s version of a Christmas truce.

Peace and joy from the ACoC

Call for a Christmas Truce

We are now approaching Christmas, a world festival of peace.

At this time many Christians and even persons of other faiths will be encouraged by the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace, to review and strengthen relationships. It is consequently expected that family ties will be renewed, communities will gather for fellowship, strangers will be welcomed, the marginalised included and the oppressed set free. Where relationships are strained or hostile it is expected that dividing walls will come down and healing will take place through forgiveness and reconciliation.

The diocese of Niagara continues to refuse to negotiate with the Niagara ANiC churches outside of the courts, something even their own lawyer is recommending. Instead, in the spirit of a Christmas truce, the diocese of Niagara will see ANiC in court again on December 23rd. Makes you wonder how bad things would be without a truce, doesn’t it?

Vicki’s god

And now Gene Robinson’s in a snit about Rick Warren.

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V. Gene Robinson, the Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, whose consecration caused a painful divide in his church because he is openly gay, said that when he heard about the selection of Mr. Warren, “it was like a slap in the face.”

Bishop Robinson had been an early public endorser of Mr. Obama’s candidacy, and said he had helped serve as a liaison between the campaign and the gay community. He said he had called officials who work for Mr. Obama to share his dismay, and been told that Mr. Obama was trying to reach out to conservatives and give everybody a seat at the table.

“I’m all for Rick Warren being at the table,” Bishop Robinson said, “but we’re not talking about a discussion, we’re talking about putting someone up front and center at what will be the most watched inauguration in history, and asking his blessing on the nation. And the God that he’s praying to is not the God that I know.”

The gratifying thing about this is that Gene is now admitting that he worships a different god to the Christian God, the Three in One: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In which case, why is he a bishop?

The Three Stooges in Cuba

In 2007 Messrs. Hiltz, Schori and Bird went on a jaunt to Cuba.

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I wonder if they have read Against All Hope, Armando Valladares’ account of over twenty years in Fidel Castro’s tropical gulag spent as a result of his philosophical and religious opposition to communism. He gives a picture of the Cuba that he lived in and tells of how his Christian faith kept him from abandoning hope during the most evil treatment.

Cuba does have a penchant for persecuting Christians: which is why these 3 were quite safe.


Joe the Bishop concedes that the USA is democratic after all

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From the Anglican Journal

Kenyan church leaders have hailed the election on Nov. 4 of Sen. Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America, saying it is a positive turn for Africa that can help steer good governance on the continent.“I want congratulate Obama. I think his winning will bring hope and healing to the whole world,” said Anglican Bishop Joseph Wasonga. “His election has shown that America is truly democratic.”

I though the bringing of “hope and healing for the whole world” is something that Jesus does; I wonder, is Obama aware of the standard that has been set for him? Sorry – Him. Well, come January, I’m expecting my back-ache to go away.

At least Obama, McCain and the rest of the population of the United States can heave a big collective sigh of relief: Kenyan Bishop Joseph Wasonga has declared the election democratic. It’s tempting to wonder what Joe the bishop would have pronounced had McCain won: the election was rigged, probably. And the good bishop should know; this is how the last Kenyan election went:

From Here

Kenya descended into violence and chaos following December 2007’s presidential election. Preliminary results had opposition candidate Raila Odinga, of the Orange Democratic Movement, defeating incumbent Kibaki, 57% to 39%. In the days after the election, however, Odinga’s lead dwindled and Kenya’s electoral commission declared Kibaki the winner, 46% to 44%. International observers said the vote was rigged. Odinga, a champion of the poor, had promised to eliminate corruption and tribalism. After the announcement of the official results, violence broke out among members of the Luo and Kikuyu tribes. Odinga is Luo, and Kibaki is Kikuyu. The fighting between the tribes intensified in January 2008, with more than 800 people dying in violence across the country. Odinga refused Kibaki’s invitation to discuss the political crisis after Kibaki appointed his cabinet, which did not include any members of Odinga’s Orange Democratic Party. Parliament, however, elected Kenneth Marende, of Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement, speaker over an ally of Kibaki. The deployment of the Kenyan military did little to stem the brutal ethnic fighting. In late January, Melitus Mugabe Were, a member of Parliament who has worked to mend the ethnic strife in Kenya and help the poor, was dragged from his car and shot. Members of the opposition said the killing was a political assassination.

Perhaps what Joe the bishop really meant to say was that he is glad Obama won; and everyone is entitled to be glad about anything they like, however daft.