Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! (in Filipino)
from ACP
Christmas Greetings
Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon! (in Filipino)
from ACP
Response from the Clergy conference
Thank you for your prayers offered for the success of ACP 2nd Clergy conference. We were blessed to hear positive responses from the participants. Special Thanks to Dr. Chris and Rachelle Ruhm.
Happy Thanksgiving!
As we reflect and celebrate the goodness of God this year and the years
past, there are many things that we can thank and praise Him.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonian 5:18) You are blessed!
The Collect
O MOST merciful Father, who hast blessed the labours of the husbandman in the returns of the fruits of the earth; We give thee humble and hearty thanks for this thy bounty; beseeching thee to continue thy loving-kindness to us, that our land may still yield her increase, to thy glory and our comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
past, there are many things that we can thank and praise Him.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonian 5:18) You are blessed!
The Collect
O MOST merciful Father, who hast blessed the labours of the husbandman in the returns of the fruits of the earth; We give thee humble and hearty thanks for this thy bounty; beseeching thee to continue thy loving-kindness to us, that our land may still yield her increase, to thy glory and our comfort; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Archbishop of Canterbury moves to flush out Anglicans plotting to defect to Rome
The Archbishop of Canterbury moved last night to counter secret plotting among disaffected Anglicans who are planning to defect to Rome.
By Tim Ross, Religious Affairs Editor Published: 7:30AM BST 21 Oct 2010
Dr Williams's suggestion came in his first public remarks since a parish in Kent and a London bishop announced their intention to accept the Pope's offer to convert to Roman Catholicism
Photo: REUTERS
In a surprise announcement, Dr Rowan Williams said he wanted to establish a new joint group of Roman Catholic and Church of England figures to oversee the conversion process.
The proposed group would be designed to enable smooth and less painful transition for those who want to leave the Church of England to become Roman Catholics in protest at the ordination of women bishops.
It would also bring into the open the negotiations between disaffected Anglicans and the Vatican which have been taking place in secret for months.
Dr Williams’s suggestion came in his first public remarks since a parish in Kent and a London bishop announced their intention to accept the Pope’s offer to convert to Roman Catholicism.
Last Friday, St Peter’s church in Folkestone and the Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Rev John Broadhurst, disclosed their plans to join the so-called English Ordinariate, a new body proposed by the Vatican as a home for disaffected Anglicans.
At least two more bishops are widely rumoured to be planning to join the Ordinariate when it is established next year, but their negotiations with Rome are taking place behind closed doors.
Neither Lambeth Palace nor the Roman Catholic authorities in England and Wales know the extent of the numbers of Anglicans who are likely to switch allegiance.
Under Pope Benedict XVI’s plan, Anglicans would be able to move into full communion with Rome while at the same time preserving some of their traditions and heritage.
In an interview with The Hindu newspaper, while on a trip to India, Dr Williams spoke of his frustration at the Pope’s decision to announce the Ordinariate to the public with little prior warning a year ago.
“I was very taken aback that this large step was put before us without any real consultation. And it did seem to me that some bits of the Vatican didn't communicate with other bits,” he said.
“It caused some ripples because I think there was a widespread feeling that it would have been better to consult.
“As this is now being implemented, we are trying to make sure that there is a joint group which will keep an eye on how it's going to happen. In England, the relations between the Church of England and Roman Catholic Bishops are very warm and very close. I think we are able to work together on this and not find it a difficulty.”
It is understood that neither the Church of England nor the Roman Catholic authorities in England and Wales have yet agreed to Dr Williams’s proposal for a joint group to oversee the Ordinariate.
In the interview, Dr Williams acknowledged that the ordination of homosexuals and women as bishops threatened to create “deeper divisions” within the world-wide Anglican Communion.
"I feel that we may yet have to face the possibility of deeper divisions," he said.
"I don't at all like, or want to encourage, the idea of a multi-tier organisation. But that would, in my mind, be preferable to complete chaos and fragmentation. It's about agreeing what we could do together."
Interesting news, when East meets West, in Indian soil.
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| When churches come together and start extending respect and kindness to each other the impossible becomes possible. Pwede naman pala! |
'Juan' destroys almost P5 billion worth of crops, properties
From: Philstar.com - Thursday, October 21
NDRRMC said “Juan (international codename Megi) also destroyed P4.7 billion worth of livestock, fisheries, vegetables, and fruits crops such as mango, banana and papaya, and agricultural equipment in the regions.
Meanwhile, the national government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the respective local government units were able to raise around P7.5 million of assistance to the affected regions. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)
MANILA, Philippines – Almost P5 billion worth of properties and agricultural products were destroyed during the wake of super typhoon "Juan," according to the latest assessment report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
The disaster-preparedness agency reported that P4.2 million of schools in regions 1, 2, 3 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were damaged as the typhoon battered the areas.NDRRMC said “Juan (international codename Megi) also destroyed P4.7 billion worth of livestock, fisheries, vegetables, and fruits crops such as mango, banana and papaya, and agricultural equipment in the regions.
Meanwhile, the national government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the respective local government units were able to raise around P7.5 million of assistance to the affected regions. - By Dennis Carcamo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)
Northern Luzon was heavily damage by typhoon Juan (Megi).
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| Residence of Delfin Albano township in Ilagan Isabela. |
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| Aerial view of Baguio city flooded effect of the typhoon Meji |
May we request you to please pray with us for the recovery of those who were badly affected by this disaster. Any assistance will really be a great help to those who suffered so much from this calamity. Northern Luzon was heavily damaged by this typhoon specially Cagayan, Kalinga and Apayao.
The Church as Steward of God's grace.
The task entrusted by our good Lord to the Church is great and difficult, but the God whom we serve is greater than any of these difficulties in this present age. I want to quote this scriptures for us:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:18-25, 35-39, NASB) ACPT
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
“FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.”
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:18-25, 35-39, NASB) ACPT
TEC Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori says she will attend 2011 Primates Meeting in Dublin
Orthodox Anglican Primates have said they will not appear if she is there
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
Sept. 22, 2010
A number of African Archbishops including a Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern Presiding Bishop meeting recently in Entebbe said they would no longer attend any gathering of Primates called by the Archbishop of Canterbury if the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church is present. Their non-appearance would signal a de facto split in The Anglican Communion.
"We are committed to network with orthodox Anglicans around the world, including Communion Partners in the USA and the Anglican Church in North America, in holistic mission and evangelism. Our aim is to advance the Kingdom of God especially in unreached areas," they wrote in a communiqué to the wider Anglican Communion.
"In order to keep the ethos and tradition of the Anglican Communion in a credible way, it is obligatory of all Provinces to observe the agreed decisions and recommendations of the Windsor Report and the various communique of the past three Primates Meetings, especially Dar es Salaam in 2007. We as Primates of CAPA and the Global South are committed to honor such recommendations."
In an e-mail sent to a number of orthodox Anglican Archbishops, VOL was told that if the US Presiding Bishop shows up in Dublin next year, they would not attend. At the HOB meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, this week the Presiding Bishop said, when asked at a press conference if she would attend, gave an unequivocal yes.
Likely no shows are: Nigerian Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Ugandan Primate Henry Luke Orombi, Kenya Primate Eliud Wabukala, Rwanda Primate Onesphore Rwaje, Indian Ocean archbishop Ian Ernest, SE Asia Primate John Chew, Middle East Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis and Southern Cone Primate Gregory Venables. (The latter was not present in Entebbe). Together they represent more than 75% of the Anglican Communion. (NOTE: This list is not complete and may include other archbishops).
In an e-mail to VOL, Archbishop Ernest said, "As mentioned in the letter addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury on the 12th April 2010, there were conditions attached to my being present at the Primates Meeting."
In Ft. Worth, Texas, this week Bishop Mouneer Anis excoriated The Episcopal Church (TEC) describing them as "Arians" because of its theology and steadily declining membership and increasing marginalization in the Anglican Communion. Referring to the latest meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA), at Entebbe, Uganda, Anis stated that TEC "was not really welcome," despite being allowed a presence at the event.
Orthodox Anglican Primates have said they will not appear if she is there
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
Sept. 22, 2010
A number of African Archbishops including a Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern Presiding Bishop meeting recently in Entebbe said they would no longer attend any gathering of Primates called by the Archbishop of Canterbury if the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church is present. Their non-appearance would signal a de facto split in The Anglican Communion."We are committed to network with orthodox Anglicans around the world, including Communion Partners in the USA and the Anglican Church in North America, in holistic mission and evangelism. Our aim is to advance the Kingdom of God especially in unreached areas," they wrote in a communiqué to the wider Anglican Communion.
"In order to keep the ethos and tradition of the Anglican Communion in a credible way, it is obligatory of all Provinces to observe the agreed decisions and recommendations of the Windsor Report and the various communique of the past three Primates Meetings, especially Dar es Salaam in 2007. We as Primates of CAPA and the Global South are committed to honor such recommendations."
In an e-mail sent to a number of orthodox Anglican Archbishops, VOL was told that if the US Presiding Bishop shows up in Dublin next year, they would not attend. At the HOB meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, this week the Presiding Bishop said, when asked at a press conference if she would attend, gave an unequivocal yes.
Likely no shows are: Nigerian Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Ugandan Primate Henry Luke Orombi, Kenya Primate Eliud Wabukala, Rwanda Primate Onesphore Rwaje, Indian Ocean archbishop Ian Ernest, SE Asia Primate John Chew, Middle East Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis and Southern Cone Primate Gregory Venables. (The latter was not present in Entebbe). Together they represent more than 75% of the Anglican Communion. (NOTE: This list is not complete and may include other archbishops).
In an e-mail to VOL, Archbishop Ernest said, "As mentioned in the letter addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury on the 12th April 2010, there were conditions attached to my being present at the Primates Meeting."
In Ft. Worth, Texas, this week Bishop Mouneer Anis excoriated The Episcopal Church (TEC) describing them as "Arians" because of its theology and steadily declining membership and increasing marginalization in the Anglican Communion. Referring to the latest meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA), at Entebbe, Uganda, Anis stated that TEC "was not really welcome," despite being allowed a presence at the event.
Church of England bishops fear for 'fragile unity' of Anglicanism over new gay marriage moves
Senior bishops have warned that new plans to allow homosexual marriages could destroy the "fragile unity" of the global Anglican Communion.
The latest fears have been raised over plans by the Church of Sweden, which is formally linked to the Church of England through an agreement called the Porvoo Declaration, to make its marriage liturgy "gender neutral" so that same-sex couples can have traditional wedding services for the first time.
The warnings come in a letter to the head of the Church of Sweden written by the Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Rev Christopher Hill, who is chairman of the Church of England's Council for Christian Unity, and the Bishop of Chichester, the Rt Rev John Hind, who is chairman of its Faith and Order Advisory Group.
They write: "If we understand the situation in the Church of Sweden correctly, what is now proposed appears to be a fundamental re-definition of the Christian doctrine of marriage and of basic Christian anthropology.
"This development might be seen as part of a wider shift within Western culture and theology to a position in which the idea of a fundamental distinction between the genders is seen as irrelevant and in which marriage is therefore seen as something that can and should be gender neutral."
They warn that this goes against biblical teaching and say it is "vital" for the Church to "maintain a critical distance from the state and resist what the state is doing if this is at odds with scripture".
The bishops say plans by any church to revise Christian teaching over sexuality will have "immediate and negative ecumenical consequences" and point out the damage similar moves have had in the USA, where the first openly gay bishop, the Rt Rev Gene Robinson, was ordained in 2003.
The bishops add: "Because of the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury within the Anglican Communion they could also further undermine the fragile unity of the Anglican Communion."
By Martin Beckford, Religious Affairs Correspondent
The Church of England leaders fear that the controversial move would go against traditional biblical teaching and have "immediate and negative consequences" for relationships with other provinces around the world, as well as the central position of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In an official letter they also urge clergy to "maintain a critical distance" from governments and resist any moves they make to allow "gender neutral" weddings.
It highlights once again the threat to the unity of the 80 million-strong Communion posed by conflicting attitudes to homosexuality.The latest fears have been raised over plans by the Church of Sweden, which is formally linked to the Church of England through an agreement called the Porvoo Declaration, to make its marriage liturgy "gender neutral" so that same-sex couples can have traditional wedding services for the first time.
The warnings come in a letter to the head of the Church of Sweden written by the Bishop of Guildford, the Rt Rev Christopher Hill, who is chairman of the Church of England's Council for Christian Unity, and the Bishop of Chichester, the Rt Rev John Hind, who is chairman of its Faith and Order Advisory Group.
They write: "If we understand the situation in the Church of Sweden correctly, what is now proposed appears to be a fundamental re-definition of the Christian doctrine of marriage and of basic Christian anthropology.
"This development might be seen as part of a wider shift within Western culture and theology to a position in which the idea of a fundamental distinction between the genders is seen as irrelevant and in which marriage is therefore seen as something that can and should be gender neutral."
They warn that this goes against biblical teaching and say it is "vital" for the Church to "maintain a critical distance from the state and resist what the state is doing if this is at odds with scripture".
The bishops say plans by any church to revise Christian teaching over sexuality will have "immediate and negative ecumenical consequences" and point out the damage similar moves have had in the USA, where the first openly gay bishop, the Rt Rev Gene Robinson, was ordained in 2003.
The bishops add: "Because of the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury within the Anglican Communion they could also further undermine the fragile unity of the Anglican Communion."
Archbishop of Canterbury: Gay rows wounding church
LONDON – Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams was quoted Saturday as saying he is not opposed to the appointment of gay people as bishops, if they pledge to remain celibate.
Williams, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, was quoted as telling the Times of London that he could in the future support the appointment of homosexual bishops — but not those in active sexual relationships.
"To put it very simply, there's no problem about a gay person who's a bishop. It's about the fact that there are traditionally, historically, standards that the clergy are expected to observe. So there's always a question about the personal life of the clergy," Williams was quoted as telling the newspaper.
The archbishop has been accused by equality campaigners of inconsistency because celibacy is not regarded as compulsory for heterosexual clergy.
Differences over the elevation of gay clergy have caused turmoil within the Anglican Communion — an association of churches with 80 million members in about 160 countries. Some conservatives have quit the association in protest, while the U.S. Episcopal Church — the branch of the Anglican Communion in the United States — has appointed two gay bishops since 2003.
Last year, the Vatican put forward plans to make it easier for traditional Anglicans upset over the appointment of female priests and gay bishops to join the Catholic Church, whose teaching holds that homosexual activity is sinful.
Williams earlier this year blocked the appointment of the Very Rev. Jeffrey John, a celibate gay cleric, to the post of bishop of Reading, and imposed sanctions on the U.S. Episcopal Church over the elevation of Mary Douglas Glasspool, a lesbian, to a position as an assistant bishop.
Williams said the issue of homosexuality has become "a wound in the whole ministry" since his appointment as archbishop in 2002.
He told the Times that in the past he had ruled against endorsing gay relationships for clergy, and against the appointment of John as a bishop, because "the cost to the Church overall was too great to be borne at that point."
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said Williams had gone too far in seeking to accommodate conservative Anglicans. "Before he became Archbishop of Canterbury, he supported gay inclusion and equality. Now he victimizes gay clergy," Tatchell told the newspaper.
Williams, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, was quoted as telling the Times of London that he could in the future support the appointment of homosexual bishops — but not those in active sexual relationships.
"To put it very simply, there's no problem about a gay person who's a bishop. It's about the fact that there are traditionally, historically, standards that the clergy are expected to observe. So there's always a question about the personal life of the clergy," Williams was quoted as telling the newspaper.
The archbishop has been accused by equality campaigners of inconsistency because celibacy is not regarded as compulsory for heterosexual clergy.
Differences over the elevation of gay clergy have caused turmoil within the Anglican Communion — an association of churches with 80 million members in about 160 countries. Some conservatives have quit the association in protest, while the U.S. Episcopal Church — the branch of the Anglican Communion in the United States — has appointed two gay bishops since 2003.
Last year, the Vatican put forward plans to make it easier for traditional Anglicans upset over the appointment of female priests and gay bishops to join the Catholic Church, whose teaching holds that homosexual activity is sinful.
Williams earlier this year blocked the appointment of the Very Rev. Jeffrey John, a celibate gay cleric, to the post of bishop of Reading, and imposed sanctions on the U.S. Episcopal Church over the elevation of Mary Douglas Glasspool, a lesbian, to a position as an assistant bishop.
Williams said the issue of homosexuality has become "a wound in the whole ministry" since his appointment as archbishop in 2002.
He told the Times that in the past he had ruled against endorsing gay relationships for clergy, and against the appointment of John as a bishop, because "the cost to the Church overall was too great to be borne at that point."
Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said Williams had gone too far in seeking to accommodate conservative Anglicans. "Before he became Archbishop of Canterbury, he supported gay inclusion and equality. Now he victimizes gay clergy," Tatchell told the newspaper.
CORRECTED - Gay bishops are okay if celibate - Anglican leader
(Corrects to show Williams is spiritual head of Anglican Communion, not Church)LONDON (Reuters) - The spiritual head of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Rowan Williams, backed gay people becoming bishops on Saturday as long as they remain celibate, risking more divisions within the Church on the issue.
Making one of the most explicit statements he has made on the subject, the head of the Church of England told the Times newspaper that he had "no problem" with their consecration.
But he would not endorse gay clergy in active relationships because of tradition and historical "standards" that require celibacy, he said in the interview.
Williams went to great lengths to explain why he stands with conservatives against gay clergy when it comes to doctrine.
He said he had to decide against endorsing gay relationships for clergy and bishops because "the cost to the Church overall was too great to be borne at that point".
The Archbishop said that since his appointment eight years ago he knew the gay issue as "a wound in the whole ministry".
"To put it very simply, there's no problem about a gay person who's a bishop. It's about the fact that there are traditionally, historically, standards that the clergy are expected to observe," Williams said.
His comments provoked an angry response from campaigners who accused him of being inconsistent because they say he previously blocked the appointment of a celibate homosexual cleric.
"Yet again, Rowan is sitting on the fence regarding gay clergy ... I don't know how Rowan sleeps at night," rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was quoted as saying.
Conservatives say his stance is at odds with 2,000 years of Christian teaching, the Times reported.
His views may endanger an Church unity scheme to be based around a new covenant on which all branches of the Church agree.
(Writing by Stefano Ambrogi; Editing by Louise Ireland)
(For more news, visit Reuters India)
Quoted from 1 Corinthians 6 : 9- 11. (New American Standard Bible)
9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
God loves sinners but despised Sin. If this kind of Moral Standard is allowed in the church what kind of a church will it be. An APOSTATE church departing from orthodoxy of the faith handed down by the early church and the apostles (1Timothy 4:1). Jesus told his disciples: " You are in the WORLD but NOT of this WORLD"( its systems and standards). Whats happening now is, the world standards is in the church, instead the church being the LIGHT to the world. There is no distinction anymore, between the World and the Church except the church was in a religious garb.
Making one of the most explicit statements he has made on the subject, the head of the Church of England told the Times newspaper that he had "no problem" with their consecration.
But he would not endorse gay clergy in active relationships because of tradition and historical "standards" that require celibacy, he said in the interview.
Williams went to great lengths to explain why he stands with conservatives against gay clergy when it comes to doctrine.
He said he had to decide against endorsing gay relationships for clergy and bishops because "the cost to the Church overall was too great to be borne at that point".
The Archbishop said that since his appointment eight years ago he knew the gay issue as "a wound in the whole ministry".
"To put it very simply, there's no problem about a gay person who's a bishop. It's about the fact that there are traditionally, historically, standards that the clergy are expected to observe," Williams said.
His comments provoked an angry response from campaigners who accused him of being inconsistent because they say he previously blocked the appointment of a celibate homosexual cleric.
"Yet again, Rowan is sitting on the fence regarding gay clergy ... I don't know how Rowan sleeps at night," rights campaigner Peter Tatchell was quoted as saying.
Conservatives say his stance is at odds with 2,000 years of Christian teaching, the Times reported.
His views may endanger an Church unity scheme to be based around a new covenant on which all branches of the Church agree.
(Writing by Stefano Ambrogi; Editing by Louise Ireland)
(For more news, visit Reuters India)
Quoted from 1 Corinthians 6 : 9- 11. (New American Standard Bible)
9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
God loves sinners but despised Sin. If this kind of Moral Standard is allowed in the church what kind of a church will it be. An APOSTATE church departing from orthodoxy of the faith handed down by the early church and the apostles (1Timothy 4:1). Jesus told his disciples: " You are in the WORLD but NOT of this WORLD"( its systems and standards). Whats happening now is, the world standards is in the church, instead the church being the LIGHT to the world. There is no distinction anymore, between the World and the Church except the church was in a religious garb.
Suffragan Bishop consecrated for Diocese of the Eastern US:
Rt. Rev. Chandler Jones was consecrated to fill the position of
Bishop Peter Brewer, who retired as Suffragan Bishop.
Bishop Jones was consecrated last
September 18, 2010 at St. Alban’s Cathedral in Oviedo, Florida
Congratulations to Bishop Chandler Jones may our good Lord be with you always as you serve faithfully the flock of Christ.
Nigeria : Anglican Primate Condemns Homosexuality, Same Sex Marriage and Pedophilia in Maiden Speech
By David W. Virtue http://www.virtueonline.org/
July 16, 2010
The Nigerian Anglican Archbishop of more than 18 million Anglicans, the largest province in the Anglican Communion, blasted what he called an “invading army of homosexuality, lesbianism and bisexual lifestyle under any guise” coming from the West and said same sex marriage, pedophilia and all sexual pervasions should be roundly condemned by all who accept the authority of Scripture over human life.
In his first press conference since assuming the leadership of the Anglican Church of Nigeria following the retirement of Peter Akinola, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh said the issue at stake of human sexuality is not an Anglican prerogative and it is by no means limited to the Anglican circle as it is clearly shown all over the world.
“The Church in the West had vowed to use their money to spread the homosexual lifestyle in African societies and Churches; after all Africa is poor. They are pursuing this agenda vigorously and what is more, they now have the support of the United Nations. We therefore call on parents to ensure that their children obtain their first degree in Nigeria before travelling abroad. Parents and guardians should closely watch and monitor the relationship which their children or wards keep so that deviant behavior could be timely corrected. The sin of homosexuality, it must be reemphasized, destroyed the communities of Sodom and Gomorrah.”
Okoh ripped the comparison of those who ordained gay bishops with those who cross borders for “pastoral work” and had been accused of breaking the call for a moratorium.
“We reject being put in the same category with churches conducting gay ordination and same sex marriage, and the equating of our evangelical initiative (for which we should be commended) with those who are doing things unbiblical. But for the Nigerian initiative and others like her, many of our faithful Anglican American friends who cannot tolerate the unbiblical practices of the Episcopal Church in America could have gone away to other faiths. The great commission to go in to all the world to save souls is our compelling constitution.”
Okoh called the step taken by the [Archbishop of] Canterbury “ill-advised and does not make any contribution towards the healing of the ailment in the Anglican extended family.”
“Our main thrust as a Church remains the evangelization of our people. The Gospel is not only proclaimed as a religious faith but a means of godly civilization. By evangelism we mean the spreading of “the faith once for all delivered to the Saints” (Jude 3). We equally mean effective teaching and discipling to reduce the yearning gap between profession of faith and morality. It also includes getting deeply involved in the work of mission by providing some amenities and support to individuals and rural communities so as to reduce poverty and complement the effort of Government that the people may have life more abundantly.”
The archbishop also attacked Nigeria’s numerous social evils and said he would not draw back from addressing them. “Like Biblical prophets of old who were champions of moral, socio-political and economic destinies of their nations, we do not intend to abandon this divine responsibility.”
“I wonder why we still lack vision and mission such that can explore resources to employ and feed all our people; why do most people hunger when God has so endowed us. There is clearly poverty in the land as evidenced in our housing, food and clothing in most rural communities. In spite of this, corruption is still growing in all segments of society; leaving the most vulnerable in society completely dispossessed. There is warning everywhere that fossil oil will not continue to rule the world. Serious scientific research is going on around the world to find viable alternatives.”
Okoh said he was grateful to God that the nation had survived a 3-year bloody civil war and that a sense of pride at the restoration of democracy after a prolonged military rule.
Before being elected in September 2009 to serve as primate by the church’s bishops, Okoh was archbishop of Bendel province and bishop of the Diocese of Asaba.
Okoh said that he'd spent his first months as primate touring all 14 internal provinces of the Church of Nigeria, and that the conversations and feedback from Anglicans throughout the country had informed his address to the press.
The church's main priority, he concluded, "remains the evangelization of our people. The Gospel is not only proclaimed as a religious faith but a means of godly civilization."
July 16, 2010
The Nigerian Anglican Archbishop of more than 18 million Anglicans, the largest province in the Anglican Communion, blasted what he called an “invading army of homosexuality, lesbianism and bisexual lifestyle under any guise” coming from the West and said same sex marriage, pedophilia and all sexual pervasions should be roundly condemned by all who accept the authority of Scripture over human life.
In his first press conference since assuming the leadership of the Anglican Church of Nigeria following the retirement of Peter Akinola, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh said the issue at stake of human sexuality is not an Anglican prerogative and it is by no means limited to the Anglican circle as it is clearly shown all over the world.
“The Church in the West had vowed to use their money to spread the homosexual lifestyle in African societies and Churches; after all Africa is poor. They are pursuing this agenda vigorously and what is more, they now have the support of the United Nations. We therefore call on parents to ensure that their children obtain their first degree in Nigeria before travelling abroad. Parents and guardians should closely watch and monitor the relationship which their children or wards keep so that deviant behavior could be timely corrected. The sin of homosexuality, it must be reemphasized, destroyed the communities of Sodom and Gomorrah.”
Okoh ripped the comparison of those who ordained gay bishops with those who cross borders for “pastoral work” and had been accused of breaking the call for a moratorium.
“We reject being put in the same category with churches conducting gay ordination and same sex marriage, and the equating of our evangelical initiative (for which we should be commended) with those who are doing things unbiblical. But for the Nigerian initiative and others like her, many of our faithful Anglican American friends who cannot tolerate the unbiblical practices of the Episcopal Church in America could have gone away to other faiths. The great commission to go in to all the world to save souls is our compelling constitution.”
Okoh called the step taken by the [Archbishop of] Canterbury “ill-advised and does not make any contribution towards the healing of the ailment in the Anglican extended family.”
“Our main thrust as a Church remains the evangelization of our people. The Gospel is not only proclaimed as a religious faith but a means of godly civilization. By evangelism we mean the spreading of “the faith once for all delivered to the Saints” (Jude 3). We equally mean effective teaching and discipling to reduce the yearning gap between profession of faith and morality. It also includes getting deeply involved in the work of mission by providing some amenities and support to individuals and rural communities so as to reduce poverty and complement the effort of Government that the people may have life more abundantly.”
The archbishop also attacked Nigeria’s numerous social evils and said he would not draw back from addressing them. “Like Biblical prophets of old who were champions of moral, socio-political and economic destinies of their nations, we do not intend to abandon this divine responsibility.”
“I wonder why we still lack vision and mission such that can explore resources to employ and feed all our people; why do most people hunger when God has so endowed us. There is clearly poverty in the land as evidenced in our housing, food and clothing in most rural communities. In spite of this, corruption is still growing in all segments of society; leaving the most vulnerable in society completely dispossessed. There is warning everywhere that fossil oil will not continue to rule the world. Serious scientific research is going on around the world to find viable alternatives.”
Okoh said he was grateful to God that the nation had survived a 3-year bloody civil war and that a sense of pride at the restoration of democracy after a prolonged military rule.
Before being elected in September 2009 to serve as primate by the church’s bishops, Okoh was archbishop of Bendel province and bishop of the Diocese of Asaba.
Okoh said that he'd spent his first months as primate touring all 14 internal provinces of the Church of Nigeria, and that the conversations and feedback from Anglicans throughout the country had informed his address to the press.
The church's main priority, he concluded, "remains the evangelization of our people. The Gospel is not only proclaimed as a religious faith but a means of godly civilization."
Greetings
Trinity Sunday May 30,2010
The Collect
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hast given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity; We beseech thee that thou wouldest keep us stedfast in this faith, and evermore defend us from all adversities, who livest and reignest, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle
Revelation 4:1
AFTER this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. And the first was like a lion, and the second like a calf, and the third had a face as a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those living creatures give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are, and were created.
The Gospel
St. John 3:1
THERE was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
THE MALE PRIESTHOOD
Anglicans believe that the sacred, threefold ministry of Deacons, Priests and Bishops is limited to males. To explain this, we must delve somewhat into the differences between the Catholic and the Protestant traditions of Christianity.
A Protestant minister is a minister. A Catholic priest is both a minister and a priest. The difference is both subtle and great. A “minister” is a preacher, pastor, teacher, counselor (and, of course, administrator). But he does not serve at the altar, he does not administer the Sacraments, and he does not stand in the unbroken line of descent from Christ’s Apostles.
This last point, the Apostolic Succession, is important. The threefold Apostolic Ministry has been a hallmark of the Church Catholic since the earliest days. However, the Protestant part of Christendom chose to discard this hallmark at the Reformation. It thereby discarded Catholicism and the Sacraments, and kept for itself only ministers, not priests.
It is unarguable that the Deity is not sexual, as that term is understood by human beings. Nevertheless, Christ was, in His human nature, a male. He consistently taught us to think of God as a Father. One cannot ignore this consistent imagery, plus the fact that Christ did not choose to include women among His Apostles, and thereby established the principle of a male priesthood. For two thousand year the Church Catholic has followed His lead in this matter.
There is certainly no bar to women in the ministry. Christ had many women in His following and they undoubtedly ministered in various ways to His disciples. There would seem to be nothing in Christ’s teachings or practice to prohibit women from serving as ministers in many aspects of Church life—as teachers, counselors, administrators, etc. They do serve in many of these areas in Catholic bodies. But in Catholicism, of which Anglicanism is a part, that ordained ministry carried with it priesthood, and thus women cannot be accepted into ordination. The Priest serves at the altar, and the altar is not just another piece of furniture, not just a repository for cross, flowers, and a Bible. It is the place where the great Sacramental Mysteries of God are celeb rated. When the Priest stands at the altar to celebrate the Last Supper, the Eucharist, the Mass, he does so as Christ’s icon, as Christ’s “other self;” he stands in the place of the God who came to us in human form as a man. When he pronounces the absolution, he is the delegated successor of the Apostles, men to whom Christ gave the power to “remit” and to “retain.”
The inability of women to serve in this way has nothing to do with their physical, mental, or moral ability to serve. Many could do all the things that priests do. In individual cases, they might do them better than given individual men. But the form of the priesthood as set by Christ, not by men, and we must remain loyal to Him.
This categorical principle of priesthood in no way stigmatizes women as inferior. It is a mystical, dominical, and theological differentiation between women and men, just as real as the physical differentiations between women and men. God has highly honored women. He chose Mary to be the Mother of Christ, making her that mysterious and paradoxical figure, “the Mother of God.” Christ highly honored women. He loved Mary and Martha. He forgave and loved Mary Magdalene. To women was entrusted the honor of discovering the empty tomb and thus being the first witnesses to the Resurrection. But as God in His wisdom chose to send His Son to the world as a man, so Christ, in His divine wisdom chose to use men as His Apostles and the prototypes of the priesthood. The pattern has been set of us. Can we change all this? The Catholic has always believed we cannot.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
A Protestant minister is a minister. A Catholic priest is both a minister and a priest. The difference is both subtle and great. A “minister” is a preacher, pastor, teacher, counselor (and, of course, administrator). But he does not serve at the altar, he does not administer the Sacraments, and he does not stand in the unbroken line of descent from Christ’s Apostles.
This last point, the Apostolic Succession, is important. The threefold Apostolic Ministry has been a hallmark of the Church Catholic since the earliest days. However, the Protestant part of Christendom chose to discard this hallmark at the Reformation. It thereby discarded Catholicism and the Sacraments, and kept for itself only ministers, not priests.
It is unarguable that the Deity is not sexual, as that term is understood by human beings. Nevertheless, Christ was, in His human nature, a male. He consistently taught us to think of God as a Father. One cannot ignore this consistent imagery, plus the fact that Christ did not choose to include women among His Apostles, and thereby established the principle of a male priesthood. For two thousand year the Church Catholic has followed His lead in this matter.
There is certainly no bar to women in the ministry. Christ had many women in His following and they undoubtedly ministered in various ways to His disciples. There would seem to be nothing in Christ’s teachings or practice to prohibit women from serving as ministers in many aspects of Church life—as teachers, counselors, administrators, etc. They do serve in many of these areas in Catholic bodies. But in Catholicism, of which Anglicanism is a part, that ordained ministry carried with it priesthood, and thus women cannot be accepted into ordination. The Priest serves at the altar, and the altar is not just another piece of furniture, not just a repository for cross, flowers, and a Bible. It is the place where the great Sacramental Mysteries of God are celeb rated. When the Priest stands at the altar to celebrate the Last Supper, the Eucharist, the Mass, he does so as Christ’s icon, as Christ’s “other self;” he stands in the place of the God who came to us in human form as a man. When he pronounces the absolution, he is the delegated successor of the Apostles, men to whom Christ gave the power to “remit” and to “retain.”
The inability of women to serve in this way has nothing to do with their physical, mental, or moral ability to serve. Many could do all the things that priests do. In individual cases, they might do them better than given individual men. But the form of the priesthood as set by Christ, not by men, and we must remain loyal to Him.
This categorical principle of priesthood in no way stigmatizes women as inferior. It is a mystical, dominical, and theological differentiation between women and men, just as real as the physical differentiations between women and men. God has highly honored women. He chose Mary to be the Mother of Christ, making her that mysterious and paradoxical figure, “the Mother of God.” Christ highly honored women. He loved Mary and Martha. He forgave and loved Mary Magdalene. To women was entrusted the honor of discovering the empty tomb and thus being the first witnesses to the Resurrection. But as God in His wisdom chose to send His Son to the world as a man, so Christ, in His divine wisdom chose to use men as His Apostles and the prototypes of the priesthood. The pattern has been set of us. Can we change all this? The Catholic has always believed we cannot.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
A prayer for a peaceful and honorable Election.
In the Name of the Father + the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the Republic of the Philippines in the Election of Officials and Representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our Nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. God Bless the Philippines!!!
Please Vote on May 10, 2010
In the Name of the Father + the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the Republic of the Philippines in the Election of Officials and Representatives; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our Nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. God Bless the Philippines!!!
Please Vote on May 10, 2010
CHRIST our PASSOVER has been sacrificed for US: therefore let us celebrate the feast!
not bind Him, Death could not destroy Him. In the
midst of supposedly defeat, Jesus Christ rose from the
dead and gain the victory over him who had the power
of death and has now the keys of death, hell and the
grave. He turned it over to us (His One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church) to enforce that victory
over this present darkness.
Happy Resurrection!
ACPT
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