The Guardian

Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent

Thursday February 16, 2006

The dean of a Cambridge college has said he will consider offering blessings for same sex couples, in the first breach of the Church of England's ban on clergy offering services after civil partnership ceremonies. The Rev Jeremy Caddick, Dean of Emmanuel College, has written to the Bishop of Ely telling him that the college does not see itself as falling under his jurisdiction.

Mr Caddick's letter says although no requests have yet been made: "We would not wish to close the door to having services for members of the college community who requested them. In a community such as this one, people know there is considerable diversity in human sexual relationships and, in general, see the importance of affirming and celebrating those that are faithful and life affirming."

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Bishop's Alcoholism Familiar to Clergy

The Guardian

Wednesday February 15, 2006 7:46 PM

By RICHARD N. OSTLING

AP Religion Writer

Episcopal Bishop Chilton Knudsen of Maine can sympathize with her church's first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who announced Monday he is being treated for alcoholism. Knudsen herself needed alcohol treatment 21 years ago after becoming the first woman to lead an Episcopal congregation in Illinois.

"There is a particular kind of stress people are under when they are the first,'' she said. "Being a clergy person is a stressful job - and any disease process latent in our bodies is going to be exacerbated'' when an extra level of scrutiny is added on.

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Letter from the Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson

February 13, 2006

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am writing to you from an alcohol treatment center where on February 1, with the encouragement and support of my partner, daughters and colleagues, I checked myself in to deal with my increasing dependence on alcohol. Over the 28 days I will be here, I will be dealing with the disease of alcoholism-which, for years, I have thought of as a failure of will or discipline on my part, rather than a disease over which my particular body simply has no control, except to stop drinking altogether.

During my first week here, I have learned so much. The extraordinary experience of community here will inform my ministry for years to come. I eagerly look forward to continuing my recovery in your midst. Once again, God is proving His desire and ability to bring an Easter out of Good Friday. Please keep me in your prayers and know that you are in mine.

Your Brother in Christ, +Gene

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February 08, 2006

Canadian Anglicans Becoming Extinct

Source: AgapePress

By AFA Journal

February 7, 2006

(AgapePress) - A new, independent report on the state of the Anglican Church of Canada shows a staggering decline in membership over the last 40 years.

Between 1961 and 2001 the Anglican Church of Canada, the Canadian branch of the worldwide Anglican community, lost 53 percent of its members, from 1.36 million to 642,000. However, the report also ominously stated that the decline is accelerating. While membership dropped 13 percent between 1981 and 1991, it fell 20 percent between 1991 and 2001.

Endquotes.