By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent — The Telegraph Philip Pullman, the acclaimed children’s author and prominent atheist, revealed he may introduce Jesus as a character in his next novel. The announcement came during a high-profile public debate with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, at London’s National Theatre—home to a celebrated stage adaptation of Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, which concludes with the symbolic “death” of a senescent, weaken

By Vanessa Walker and James Murray THE AUSTRALIAN 19 January 2004 Peter Carnley's surprise resignation as head of the Anglican Church will prompt a fierce 15-month leadership struggle between conservative and progressive Anglicans. For the first time in history, the nation's 23 bishops will join the five archbishops as real contenders to be titular head of the nation's 3.8 million Anglicans. The 47 members of a board to elect the new primate will be chosen at the General Syno

Boston Archbishop Says Pro-Abortion Politicians "Shouldn't Dare Come to Communion" LifeSite Daily News January 24, 2004 WASHINGTON, DC, In an interview with LifeSiteNews.com following the Vigil for Life Mass in Washington Wednesday, Boston Archbishop Sean O'Malley expressed his great desire for a renewal of faith among Catholics. Asked about the problem of Catholic politicians promoting abortion, the Archbishop noted that the problem "is not only politicians but those (Catho

Episcopal dispute on the front line VERSAILLES CASE COULD SET EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS IN U.S. By Frank E. Lockwood HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER The dispute between the leadership of a conservative Episcopal church in Versailles and Lexington Bishop Stacy Sauls could be one of the first of many such skirmishes across the country, church observers say. The showdown between Sauls and the governing board of St. John's Episcopal Church is drawing praise and condemnation from national Epi

Local Episcopal church watches quietly as fallout continues over gay bishop By Jayson Larson Athens Daily Review Wait-and-see mode. That's how the Rev. Don Hickman, rector at St. Matthias' Episcopal Church in Athens, describes the attitudes of his congregants lately. "I think there's still a feeling that that's (all happening) back east and we're here in East Texas," the Rev. Hickman said. "We'll see what happens." The fallout continues from the national church's election las

Faced with church's stand, member walks A man from Wilsonville makes the difficult decision to leave the Episcopalian Church after it consecrates an openly gay bishop 01/24/04 NANCY HAUGHT The Marine Corps has left its mark on Robert W. Hawkins. He stands, even sits, straight and tall. His graying hair is trimmed close to his head. When he speaks, it is with an abiding sense of authority and that, he'll tell you, is the root of the problem. Hawkins, 48, a resident of Wilsonvi

Edict on Gay Marriages: Do Them or Quit Clergy Fear They Are Next Family Action Coalition release Clergy from across the nation are deeply concerned that their religious freedom will be violated with the same "Edict" imposed upon the Marriage Commissioners of B.C. On behalf of Clergy nationwide Dr. Charles McVety, President of Canada Christian College and Canada Family Action Coalition calls for Prime Minister Paul Martin to fulfill his promise to protect the religious rights

Exploding Myths about the Episcopal Church Crisis By Diane Knippers I have been invited to place the current crisis in the Episcopal Church in a larger context, first to look at the cultural context and then the context of the wider church. I want to expose three myths. Myth one: The recent experimental ethics of the Episcopal Church represents the future. Myth two: The Episcopal Church’s recent actions indicate concern for the oppressed. Myth three: Those of us who dissent f

Bishop Seeks Calmer Tone In Episcopal Controversy Howe supports working for traditionalist change within existing church. By Cary McMullen Ledger Religion Editor WINTER PARK — While the controversy in the Episcopal Church continues to boil across the country, Bishop John Howe is attempting to turn down the heat in the Diocese of Central Florida. In his first public remarks since he signed the charter of a new network for traditionalist Episcopalians on Tuesday, Howe addressed

"Clergy are being threatened, vows of allegiance to the Episcopal Church are being exacted (even while international excommunications are rising), and canons are being misused to take over dissenting biblically orthodox churches. It is religious persecution, widespread, and it must be opposed." The Rev. Geoff Chapman, St. Stephen's, Sewickley, PA. Dear Brothers and Sisters, Another new development in the worldwide realignment of the Anglican Communion has just begun. It is th

The Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes A statement from Bishop James M. Stanton DIOCESE OF DALLAS My Brothers and Sisters in Christ The Charter conference held in Plano is now concluded and the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes has been established. It was unanimously agreed to by the bishops and representatives of the dioceses noted, and by representatives of parishes in other dioceses concerned to preserve the unity of the Church within th

By Michael J. McManus Three different groups competed behind the scenes to persuade President Bush to take different stands on marriage in his State of the Union. Ironically, none came away satisfied but all were pleased to some degree. Appetites were whetted by a page one Jan. 14 New York Times story that began: "Administration officials say they are planning an extensive election-year initiative to promote marriage, especially among low-income couples, and they are weighing

By Julia Duin THE WASHINGTON TIMES Published January 22, 04 ORLANDO, Fla. — Famed film actor and producer Mel Gibson told 5,000 pastors yesterday that "there will always be opposition" to films on the Gospel, "but you have to stand your ground and slug it out." Mr. Gibson also told the gathering of evangelical and charismatic Christian clergy at Calvary Assembly of God Church that he was grateful for their "spiritual support." The pastors had assembled for a showing of his so

by J. Budziszewski "Are you Professor Theophilus?" I turned. "That's me. Come in." "My name's Lawrence. I'm gay. I came to complain about your talk about constitutional liberties yesterday. It was bigoted and homophobic. I'm filing a formal protest to the people who run the Student Union speakers series." At least he's direct, I thought. I waved him to a seat. "Help me out, Mr. Lawrence. How could—" "Just Lawrence." "Thank you. Now how could my talk have been 'bigoted and hom

From the Office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida January 21, 2004 Dear Friends in Christ, Unfortunately, there is confusion regarding the reported involvement of the Bishop and the Diocese of Southwest Florida in the establishment of the Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes. It is my conviction that these are extraordinary times demanding clarity from all those engaged in the leadership of the Church. Due to recent comments by members of the Am

Why the Realignment of Anglicanism is Sadly Necessary Part 4: The Bible: Relevant or Irrelevant? by the Rev. David A. Handy, Ph.D. The first three parts of this series have set forth some of the many reasons why the dramatic realignment now underway in Anglicanism is so sadly necessary. In this, the fourth segment, I will begin to drive home my main thesis: the clear and consistent teaching of Scripture and Tradition must not be set aside and overturned on the basis of dubiou

Why the Realignment of Anglicanism is Sadly Necessary Part 1: Politically Correct or Theologically Correct? Why It’s an Either/Or by the Rev. David A. Handy, Ph.D. Years ago the great church historian Jaroslav Pelikan made the famous comment that the Protestant Reformation was “a tragic necessity.” Protestants, he noted, who take the necessity of the Reformation for granted, tend to underestimate what a terrible tragedy it was. On the other hand, Pelikan said, Catholics, who

By Dr. Joseph P. Murphy “Some of the last shall be first and some of the first shall be last,” easily grips us as poetically just, one of the many ironies of the spiritual life as the human approaches the divine. Recently the Episcopal theologian Ephraim Radner has written a Parable of the AMiA, in which he refers to the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) as a movement in the Church seeking autonomy without accountability, even as it seeks to be obedient in the face of the sp

In the Name of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ. The recent unilateral actions of the Episcopal Church in the United States (ECUSA) in consecrating a bishop who is sexually active outside marriage, and the recognition of same-sex blessings have created a deeply painful and divisive situation and devastated our Christian witness. In the light of Tradition, it reveals a misinterpretation of the clear witness of God's Word and a deaf ear to t

Missionaries will be certified for orthodoxy The Most Reverend Frank Tracy Griswold Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the USA 815 Second Avenue New York NY 10017 USA 8th January 2004 Dear +Frank, This comes with a prayerful greeting from the Southern Cone in Jesus’s name. As you can see from the attached statement, the decision of ECUSA to consecrate Gene Robinson, a person sexually active outside marriage, and to declare by resolution that same-sex blessings are "