"The defense of liberal theology"
The council of the Modern Churchpeople's Union (MCU) met November 6 in London's Docklands to develop a strategy for the defense of liberal theology.Firmly opposed to the proposed Anglican covenant, the group plans to extend its network beyond England, improving links with the Episcopal Church, building branches in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, recruiting a range of ages and denominations, and increasing support among bishops and academic theologians.
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Among MCU's many supporters is the Most Rev. Barry Morgan, Archbishop of the Church in Wales, who chaired the July conference in Hoddesdon, England, and is one of the organization's vice presidents. Speakers included the Rev. Canon Professor Marilyn McCord Adams, of Oxford University; the Rev. Canon Dr. Charlotte Methuen, of Oxford University; Bishop Michael Jackson of Clogher, Church of Ireland; Bishop Frank Griswold, 25th presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church; and Bishop Trevor Mwamba of Botswana.Griswold told the July gathering that the search for truth is a communal one, and that "the Holy Spirit can do different things in different places."
Mwamba spoke of "delusions of grandeur" among some of the African primates and noted that many church members throughout the continent had not been consulted about issues of human sexuality, and were "frankly not bothered with the debate."
"Some of our primates act like ecclesiastical Mugabes," he said, making reference to Zimbabwe's tyrannical president who has led his country into a humanitarian crisis and financial collapse.
"Some of our primates act like ecclesiastical Mugabes" - uh, hello? My goodness, what a loving and compelling argument that is - just makes one want to sign up quick, doesn't it?
No?
Talk about "rhetorical violence" - hello? Hello? What is this, vertigo? How will a so-called Christian group, even if it does appear to call itself "liberal" - make new friends and influence anybody if they use inflammatory rhetoric like this?
It tells us more about the people in the room then it does about anyone they are trying to reach.
It's the African version of Hitler. Try again.
-Mary Ailes
Posted by BabyBlue![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 13, 2008 10:25 PM
Actually, I think Bishop Mwamba comes by his Mugabe comparisons through direct experience. He labored under former Central African Primate Bernard Malango, a hero of the American Anglican right, who was sympathetic to Mugabe and protected Mugabe-ite bishop Norbert Kuongo from the church tribunal that was formed to try him. He has his hands full in Botswana with a small number of priests who are loyal to Kuonga and Mugabe. He has seen the devastation Mugabe and his Anglican allies have wrought first hand. Additionally, race is very much at the center of the disputes over several vacant bishoprics in Central Africa. So I think he is entitled to the comparison.
Posted by Jim Naughton![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 14, 2008 10:31 AM
I hate to mention it, Baby Blue, but ecclesiastical fascism isn't really any secret to people outside the church. In many cases that's why they're - you know - outside the church. And I'm still waiting, BTW, for a disavowal from the so-called "orthodox" of Akinola's push for the imprisonment of people who have no crime. (And gee: I think Hitler actually did go there, now that I think of it.)
Amazing that we're now being asked to be silent about this - in the name of "love"! Sad, really.
Posted by B. Snyder![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 14, 2008 2:02 PM
So you think you know more about Mugabe than +Trevor Mwamba does?
I'll give you this, BB: you still haven't lost your ability to astonish me...
JC Fisher
[I'd ask you to entertain us again, w/ how "'Barry' peaked too early" (to get elected Prez), but that would just be Schadenfreude on my part, wouldn't it. ;-/]
Posted by tgflux![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 14, 2008 6:23 PM