CHURCHES IN BRIEF
United Kingdom: yes to gay bishopsThe ordination of homosexual bishops, decided recently by English Anglican bishops, after the opposition to the ordination of women bishops, risks further dividing the Church of England. A part of the Church has already vouched its opposition to homosexual relationships while another part considers it unfair that homosexuals should face an examination to determine if they are celibate before being given the right to wear the mitre. In the joint statement released by the Church of England and the Anglican Communion it is explained that "as a result of work conducted by the group chaired by the Bishop of Sodor and Man last year, the Camber of Bishops has decided that the pastors involved in civil unions, who live according to the Church’s teachings on human sexuality, can be considered as candidates for the episcopate". After a year and a half of debates, the working group chosen by the bishops reached this decision stipulating that, "all candidates for the episcopate will undergo a careful examination of their personal and family circumstances typical of those who want to become a bishop in the Church of England" aimed at ascertaining that they lead a celibate life. Already in 2003, the gay priest Jeffrey John was forced to resign after being appointed as Bishop of Reading, because his appointment risked causing a division in the Church of England. In the same year, in the United States, Gene Robinson, a homosexual pastor, was chosen to serve as bishop of New Hampshire in the American Episcopal Church, causing the protests of some dioceses of the Anglican Communion that brings together almost eighty million members worldwide. Even in England the decision of Anglican bishops has been the object of criticism. Rod Thomas, president of "Reform", the group that represents evangelical Anglicans, which opposed the ordination of women bishops, told the BBC that the decision on homosexual bishops "represented an important change in the doctrine of the Anglican Communion that should be discussed by the General Synod". Russia: Patriarch Kirill’s message for Christmas"In all circumstances the Church, by word and deed, testified to the truth of God, and even today she bears witness to it", said the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill in the Christmas message that the Orthodox Church of Russia celebrated on January 7. "2013 marks the celebrations for 1025 years since the baptism of the Rus’ by Isoapostle Grand Duke Vladimir", the Patriarch wrote in the message. Adhesion to the Orthodox faith – Kirill said- "marks the beginning of a new era in the life of our people. The light of Christ’s truth that shone on the blessed hills of Kiev still illuminates the hearts of those living in the lands of ancient Rus’, showing us the path of goodness". In his message, the Patriarch drew a balance of the past year of "abundant graces" and of the "sufferings". He said: "Throughout its history, the Church has never experienced long periods of prosperity. Times of peace and serenity have always been followed by times of difficulties and ordeals". The Patriarch appealed to Christians to not cease to bear their Christian witness, "by proclaiming that a society based only on interest, on permissiveness, on unlimited individual freedom, on the contempt of eternal truths and on the rejection of all authority, is not morally sound and is at the mercy of numerous dangers". In an interview with the Russian news agency Interfax, the Patriarch spoke about the campaigns against the Patriarchate but added that the Russian Orthodox Church is determined to live her mission, never failing to remain "silent in the face of sin, illegality and injustice". Our whole community, the clergy and the active laity – he added – have no intention of interrupting their commitment aimed at the promotion of moral values and Gospel principles in the lives of our people. We have no intention of stopping our missionary work, our preaching and our public activities".Taizé: thanks to the city of Rome and the PopeThe Taizé Community expressed "deep gratitude" to all those who made possible the organization of the 35th European meeting in Rome. From 28 December to 2 January the meeting brought together 42,000 young pilgrims from all over Europe and the three continents, who convened for six days of prayer and sharing. A statement from Taizé conveys "special gratitude to the parishes, priests, religious communities, Orthodox and Protestant communities and to the thousands of families who have opened the doors of their homes to welcome young pilgrims". "In particular, Taize’ will bear special memory of the prayer of Dec. 29 in St. Peter’s Square with the Holy Father. "It will remain – reads the statement – as a light in the hearts of many young people".
