The Diocese of Toronto has elected three new suffragan bishops, one of whom is the Rev. Canon Kevin Robertson, “the first openly gay, partnered bishop-elect in the diocese and perhaps in the Canadian church”.
Considering the state of the Anglican Church of Canada, I suppose this was as inevitable as it is non-newsworthy; still, here is the announcement:
Bishop-elect Robertson was elected on the fourth ballot of the second election. He is 45 and the incumbent of Christ Church, Deer Park in Toronto. After earning his Master of Divinity from Trinity College in 1997, he was ordained deacon the same year and priest in 1998. He and his partner Mohan have two children.
“I’m very overwhelmed,” he said on the chancel steps after the elections. “I didn’t really expect to be standing here on the steps, but I’m deeply, deeply honoured. I realize this is an historic day in the life of our church. It’s no secret that I’m the first openly gay, partnered bishop-elect in the diocese and perhaps in the Canadian church as well, and I know that for some people that’s a real challenge and for others it’s the fulfillment of what they’ve been hoping and praying for for a very long time. The peace and unity of the church is really important to me and I will work to continue that peace and unity as a bishop.”
Bishop-elect Robertson said his election is a turning point for the church in accepting and supporting LGBTQ people. “I think General Synod (in July) was a turning point for the national church and my election today is a turning point for our diocese, and I’m honoured to be a part of that. I’m really encouraged by the developments over the past couple of months – both General Synod and today bode really well for the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life of our church.”
He said he will be a bishop for the whole church. “I think LGBTQ clergy and lay people might naturally gravitate towards me looking for some leadership around the issue of full inclusion, but I absolutely see myself as a bishop for the whole church, including people who have a very different view of things than I do. I’m their bishop, too.”
If there was any doubt that the ACoC has totally abandoned any claim to be Christian, this would be proof. Kevin Robinson – notice I do not and will not call him a bishop in ANY Christian church – clearly knows the stand in Scripture but also clearly will not accept that authority.
All the ACoC has now is jobs. Nobody needs an unprincipled church.
Good for the ACoC! For showing compassion and tolerance in our mean world. God did not write the scriptures, man did. And man is fallible. Congratulation to the Rev Kevin Robertson!
Carol, I can appreciate the desire to be kind. But your remark in supporting this move, that “God did not write scriptures” will I think reinforce for many of us on the opposite side of the argument that these changes in the ACoC are in fact in complete opposition to scripture – something that is not being acknowledged by many of those pushing for the changes.
“He and his partner Mohan have two children.”
How does this work? Is Mohan one of those modern men blessed with a vagina and reproductive organs?
Pretty sure the kids are adopted. Also not sure this sort of comment is helpful, BB.
The kids have a devoted mom…
They are all wonderful, caring people and do not deserve the kind of snarky below- the-belt comment left mr, miss, mrs, mz ? BallBounces hiding behind a pseudoname.
👎shameful remark!
“God did not write the scriptures, man did.” This unfortunate statement and the attitude it reveals is a reflection of the reality that those denominations who subscribe to it are shrinking while for the most part, those who believe the opposite are growing.
What is the point of a church that believes this and what is the point of going to it?
It’s just the chronicles of a decaying branch that no longer remains in Him. Sad but kind of inevitable. Those who marry the spirit of this age……
“leadership around the issue of full inclusion”:
is the Pergamene “doctrine of Balaam“ who “taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock-skandalon before the Children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols,
and to commit fornication……“;
whereby The LORD very much is an exclusive Respecter of persons
– between those who reject His Holy WORD and those who abide in Him by It.
+ The Revelation of Jesus Christ 2:12-17
We are Catholic (not that that seems to be going too well these days), and about 8 years ago my sister attended a baptism in an Anglican Church in Edmonton. I asked what it was like, and she said it was just women and gays. I guess kind of a foreshadowing.
Yeah, we need a MANLY Church.
The demographic shift that you’re getting at is not an illusion, although in my experience it’s not quite that pronounced in most ACoC parishes. There’s a definite trend. The UCC actually informs contributors to its publication that their primary readership is women over the age of 65 (who do not believe that scripture is the actual Word of God).
Because it’s 2016 !!
Would that be B.C. or A.D.?
It all depends on you….I would say that for you it´s B.C. since you seem to live centuries behind
B.C.= Babylon. You choose.
I am absolutely burnt out by staying in the ACoC and trying to uphold the Christian faith, but now God in His mercy has made it possible for me to leave and join the ANiC church in our City. I know that God has asked others to stay, and I pray for them to have His strength and courage to keep the faith as the apostasy grows.
I’m saying a quick prayer for you, Pauline. All the best as you follow His leading into a new chapter.
Thanks – it is a grieving process leaving the Church you have worshipped in for a lifetime, but I shall be with friends who have made the same move.
I’m in a similar situation myself. It helps to know that we’re not alone – either in the grief or the decision to leave.
Knowing that the ACoC under the leadership of apostate bishops – notice I do not refer to them as liberal as that does not convey the truth – has totally abandoned both the authority of Scripture and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. As such it is no longer a Christian church and considering the action certain dioceses have taken against orthodox Christians – legally stealing property for which they made no contribution – I fail to see how anyone could believe they are being asked to stay. The only way for any reform to take place is for orthodox Christians to withdraw and make NO contribution of any kind and throw their support to the ANIC and/or ACNA churches.
Frank, you are nothing if not consistent 🙂
The Pastafarians are recruiting….