yep, all the classic bureaucratic threats...
...if you withold money, youth programs might be cut (just like parks & school programs get cut in city politics when voters don't toe the line)
...just go along with it for the sake of "unity" (never mind that we didn't give a hoot about unity when we implemented this policy)

I can't wait for the wheels to come completely flying off...
twb | 08.29.03 - 2:51 am | #

Out of professional interest, I'm intrigued by ...

"Canon Ephraim Radner ... the only member of Colorado's four- person clergy delegation that voted against Robinson's election."

I wd have assumed the delegations are elected by some kind of statewide winner-take-all vote, like the Electoral College. Does anyone know if, instead, it's [a] district-based, or [b] cumulative or proportional voting, or [c] winner-take-all but people cross-vote for individuals instead of voting a straight factional ticket, or [d] some other basis than election, eg the four most senior priests are ex officio the Colorado delegates?
Tom Round | 08.29.03 - 6:37 am | #

Well, we may not have the best bench of bishops, but obviously it could be a heck of a lot worse.

As a former Episcopalian, I feel for these people. But anyone in the ECUSA that didn't see this coming has had their head in the sand for at least a dozen years.

The worst thing is the fact that they may be leading the way down a path that we are following too. If the heterodox don't get their way in the next few years....
Mark Windsor | 08.29.03 - 8:48 am | #

Mark - Anglicanism lacks the teaching authority of the Magesterium. Thus, the tyranny of the majority can (and has) led them over a cliff the Catholic Church won't go over.
Ken | 08.29.03 - 9:19 am | #

I have to chuckle at this paragraph in the Post story:

"Several conservative Episcopal parishes, at least one diocese and an untold number of parishioners nationwide are using their pocketbooks to voice displeasure about the Robinson vote and other recent church moves toward acceptance of homosexuality."

The ECUSA has *already* fully accepted the homosexual lifestyle as evidenced by the fact that Robinson was permitted to remain a priest in the first place. The argument is simply about the next threshold to be breached as the ECUSA continues on its "spiritual journey".
Tom K | 08.29.03 - 9:42 am | #

Restricted giving won't work unless an entire parish agrees to it; otherwise, the restricted gifts will be for the parish and the unrestricted gifts will be for the diocese. It may not change the parish's allocation to the diocese at all, or even increase it to make up for other parishes.

Nice try. But it doesn't change the fact that ECUSA is apostate.
Elizabeth | 08.29.03 - 9:44 am | #

Ken - what I'm getting at is more the split than the exact reason. Different cliff - not so tall, maybe - but a cliff nonetheless.
Mark Windsor | 08.29.03 - 10:06 am | #

"Canon Edward Morgan, assistant to Colorado Episcopal Bishop Jerry Winterrowd, said he understands that people are hurt and upset by the recent events. But he said a decline in giving to the diocese could result in cuts to youth ministry or other programs."

Any chance that could be a blessing in disguise? It kills me to think about how much indoctrination may go into lib youth ministry these days.
Kath | 08.29.03 - 11:00 am | #

"There is a whole philosophy that we have been brainwashed into, that stewardship has to do simply with giving money away for the church, having faith it will be used well,"
Episcopalians aren't the only ones so brainwashed.
caroline | 08.29.03 - 8:33 pm | #

Mark - I get you.

Of course, people and even groups of people will be leaving the Church (even as we speak). It's been going on since the first century.
Ken | 08.29.03 - 9:14 pm | #