By Uwe Siemon-Netto Mel Gibson's The Passion reignited debate over High Priest Caiaphas's role in Jesus's trial. While some (like scholar Geza Vermes) argue the Gospels unfairly scapegoated Caiaphas to placate Rome, others—like Rev. Col. Peter Thiede—point to archaeological and textual evidence of his hypocrisy. Key findings: Caiaphas served 18 years (18–36 AD)—unusually long, likely due to bribing Roman prefects. He profited from Temple commerce (money changers, mikveh baths

Bishop Peter James Lee (Diocese of Virginia—the largest in ECUSA) appointed a 14-member Reconciliation Commission to prevent schism after Robinson's consecration. Chaired by the Rev. Andrew Merrow (a self-described "centrist"), the group includes: Conservatives withholding funds (e.g., Church of the Apostles, Fairfax) Liberals and moderates Canon lawyers, scholars, communicators (including ex-NBC anchor Jim Hartz) Merrow admitted hesitation—but affirmed episcopal obedience: "

By Donald Sensing Same-sex marriage is not the cause of marriage's decline—it's the result. The real turning point came 40 years ago—with the birth control pill. For the first time, sex could be fully delinked from procreation. Premarital chastity lost its biological imperative. Men no longer needed marriage for sex; women discovered sex didn't guarantee commitment. Consequences: Marriage rate ↓ 43% since 1960 Cohabitation ↑ 1,000% Over half of marriages now begin with cohabi

By Warren Smith St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Charlotte became a flashpoint on February 22, 2004—when Bishop Michael Curry (a Robinson supporter) visited. Before the service, a parishioner held a sign: "Bishop Curry Is A Heretic." During the service, another stood to confront him—before Curry delivered his sermon. This followed a five-page letter from Pastor Filmore Strunk and 11 clergy calling on Curry to repent for supporting Robinson's consecration. Strunk predicts: "

For the first time in the U.S., clergy were criminally charged for performing same-sex weddings. Rev. Kay Greenleaf and Rev. Dawn Sangrey (Unitarian Universalist) conducted 13 marriages in New Paltz, NY—prompting DA Donald Williams to file misdemeanor charges (up to 1 year in jail, $500 fine per count). Williams insisted this was not about religious freedom: "They proclaimed intent to perform civil marriages under state authority—not purely religious ceremonies." Over 80 cler

Coadjutor Archbishop Diarmuid Martin (Dublin) rebuked Archdeacon Gordon Linney (Church of Ireland) for implying Catholic teaching on homosexuality is "insincere"—and linking it to the child abuse crisis. Martin responded at Evensong in St. Patrick's Cathedral: "Questioning the sincerity of another church's search for truth is not the best way to bring about Christian unity." "Roman Catholic tradition also 'struggles and suffers' as it wrestles with the joys and sorrows of eac

Bishop Robert Duncan (Pittsburgh), moderator of the Anglican Communion Network, affirmed the Ohio congregations: "The joint service was brought about by ECUSA's failure to provide Adequate Episcopal Oversight." He criticized Presiding Bishop Griswold's proposed plan as unworkable and incompatible with the Primates' 2003 directive. "We'll be working at the House of Bishops meeting to find a realistic way forward—one that lets orthodox Episcopalians stay within our church." The

Bishop-Elect Mark Hollingsworth, Jr.: "I am disappointed… this is not characteristic of Christian community—especially for young people." "No one group can define what constitutes an 'emergency.'" He noted the Diocesan Convention had affirmed inclusive theology and General Convention's actions. Bishop J. Clark Grew, II: "It is unfortunate… a clandestine service planned in secret." "There is no crisis in the Diocese of Ohio—except the one created by a minority hoping to hold o

Anglican Mainstream leaders condemned Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold's presidency at a Eucharist in Canterbury Cathedral on March 2, 2004. In a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Dean, they wrote: "A Eucharist should express unity—not serve as a propaganda tool in church politics." "Inviting Bishop Griswold—chief consecrator of Gene Robinson, who ignored the Primates' pleas—to preside was highly provocative." They raised four urgent questions: How can someone who

Bishop Henry Parsley, Jr. sharply corrected The Birmingham News after it headlined: "Diocese rejects gay N.H. bishop." He clarified: "This is not true—and no such statement was made." The actual resolution said: "We reject the unilateral actions of the 74th General Convention on issues of human sexuality." He reaffirmed: Loyalty to the Anglican/Episcopal tradition Commitment to God's love for all people, regardless of orientation Rejection of any move to leave the Episcopal C

By Andy Freborg Integrity President Susan Russell described Bishop Gene Robinson's investiture as "ordinary and extraordinary." Freborg, a lay engineer and church planter, offered a stark counterpoint: Russell's Words / Freborg's Response "Comfortable in its liturgical ordinariness" / "See Isaiah 1:10–16: 'I am sick of your sacrifices… Your festivals are a stench in My nostrils.'" "He has walked through the valley of the shadow of death" / "A living martyr? Or a man choosing

The Presbyterian Church (USA) reaffirmed: Marriage is defined as a covenant between one man and one woman (Book of Order W-4.9001). It has never endorsed same-sex marriage. But in 1996, it did urge support for civil rights for same-sex partners—equal to married couples in areas like inheritance, health care, and property. The Office of the General Assembly emphasized: "The PC(USA) has demonstrated a historic commitment both to the sanctity of marriage and to human and civil r

Press Release – March 14, 2004 In an unprecedented act, five retired U.S. bishops and one active international bishop confirmed 110 people at St. Paul's (Orthodox) Church in Akron. The Rt. Rev. Maurice Benitez (ret., Texas) read a joint statement: "We come as pastors who care deeply about you… because the lay persons among you asked us to come." "We respond to the Primates' call for 'adequate provision for episcopal oversight'—still unmet by ECUSA." The bishops stressed: "The

Six conservative parishes in northeast Ohio invited outside bishops—including Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti of Brazil—to conduct a joint Confirmation service on March 14, 2004. This was a direct challenge to Bishop Clark Grew II, who supported Gene Robinson's consecration. The service—attended by over 100 teens and adults—was declared illegal under Episcopal canon law, which prohibits visiting bishops from performing sacraments without local permission. Rev. Roger Ames of St. Lu

Bishop Richard Shimpfky resigned as head of the Episcopal Diocese of El Camino Real, effective March 31, 2004—after years of conflict with clergy and lay leadership. Dr. Gordon Gritter of the Standing Committee stated: "There's been a conflict for a long time… and the bishop's response has been unsatisfactory and harmful to many." Though the national church dismissed formal charges against him on a technicality, pressure mounted until Shimpfky proposed a separation package—wh

By Uwe Siemon-Netto The March 11, 2004 terrorist bombings in Madrid—killing 198, injuring 1,400—prompted theologians to reconsider the reality of the devil as a personal, active force. For decades, Satan had been depersonalized: reduced to metaphor, shadow, or social evil. But as one pastor noted: "The devil showed yesterday in Spain. How else explain such random evil?" Others observe a cultural shift: People are no longer satisfied with purely secular explanations of evil. T

By Robert Hart Critics of Gene Robinson's consecration have focused almost exclusively on his homosexuality—missing the deeper scandal. "They ought to have been furious that he was not defrocked simply for leaving his family." Robinson divorced his wife and abandoned his children—yet remained in active ministry. Only later did he enter a same-sex relationship. Hart argues: Homosexuality is just one part of a broader failure—the collapse of chastity and holy matrimony. By reac

By the Rev. Fleming Rutledge "In essentials, unity. In nonessentials, diversity. In all things, charity" This address—delivered December 2003—was shaped by a specific context: a parish where the majority held traditional views on sexuality, while a smaller, marginalized group favored openness to rethinking the issue. Some had already left; others wondered if they still belonged. Rutledge's aim was not to persuade one side or the other—but to enlarge the space for disagreement

Approximately 130 people attended the 2004 Episcopal Urban Caucus meeting—including the Rt. Rev. Robert Ihloff of Maryland; several staff members from the Episcopal Church Center, such as the Rt. Rev. Arthur Williams and Maureen Shea, director of the Washington Office; and activists like the Rev. Susan Russell (Claiming the Blessing) and the Rev. Michael Hopkins (former president of Integrity USA). Once again, the Caucus's rhetoric on the war on terrorism—and especially the w

REFLECTIONS ON THE SAME SEX BLESSING CONTROVERSY by Robin Guinness A work in progress. 2nd March 2004 Commemoration Day of John Wesley, Preacher. 1791. Charles Wesley, Poet 1788 THE NATURE OF THE CONTROVERSY At heart the same sex blessing controversy is a theological issue, not an issue of life-style. It is an issue of belief before it is an issue of behaviour. The doctrine at issue is the doctrine of creation. In particular what is at issue is who and what God has created ma