Withholding the sacraments
The Chicago Tribune ran a story yesterday by Manya A. Brachear about a liberal parish in the conversative Diocese of Springfield asking for delegated episcopal oversight.
I read through the piece too quickly and missed what may be the most significant development: Peter Beckwith, the bishop of Springfield, is refusing to confirm any candidates from the parish in question.
The key paragraph: "In November 2005, Bennett contacted Beckwith to ask if he was opposed to confirming a lesbian who wished to join the Church. At that point, Bennett said, the bishop declared he would confirm no one in the parish because 'the faith was not being taught' there."
Am I wrong in thinking that even in these contentious times that this constitues derelection fo episcopal duty? I'm pretty sure that if a liberal bishop refused to confirm someone who disagreed with him on issues of human sexuality, we'd hear about it.
Unfortunately, we must say that if a bishop can allow same-sex blessings, then s/he can also choose not perform a Confirmation. I am willing to concede that, within a diocese, the bishop may do nearly whatever s/he whishes. However, I do beleive +Springfield must also alternative pastoral oversight, because you are right; if "the shoe were on the other foot," there would be much weeping and nashing of teeth. My guess is that this will be described as a bishop "holding up the historic faith," and the priest is out of line.
Posted by CDHamilton | October 12, 2006 4:16 PM