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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)—which Jesus condemned. He funded a Jerusalem aqueduct with Temple funds—sparking deadly riots. An ossuary believed to be his contained a woman's skull—with a coin in her mouth (a pagan rite for Charon, ferryman of Hades). "While publicly denying resurrection (as a Sadducee), Caiaphas prepared his bones for it—just in case." Jesus's words ring with fresh force: "You are like whitewashed tombs… on the outside righteous, inside full of lawlessness and hypocrisy." (Matt. 23:27–28) END

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: "When your bishop calls, you try to serve as he sees fit. You trust his judgment and step up." He added: "I would have preferred New Hampshire looked to the larger Anglican Communion before they acted."

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 cohabitation Once society stopped regulating heterosexual conduct, the logic for barring homosexual unions collapsed. "Weddings became symbolic—not substantive. They're now about property rights, not permission to procreate." Sensing concludes (as a Christian traditionalist): "Same-sex marriage won't destroy marriage. It's the final symptom of its prior collapse."

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: "Within three years, you will have two Anglican bodies on this continent." Yet he remains—for now: "My Lord Jesus went to the temple with the very people who would crucify Him." The rise of continuing Anglican bodies—like the Anglican Mission in America (AMIA), with 200+ parishes—shows the "war of attrition" is already underway. "The question is no longer whether it's possible to drink cool, clear water from a boiling well—but whether anyone should try."

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 clergy quickly signed a pledge to continue such ceremonies—even at risk of arrest. Rabbi Ayelet Cohen (Congregation Beth Simchat Torah): "We absolutely are prepared to be arrested… because it's a matter of justice." Reactions split along denominational lines: Reform Judaism, UCC, UUA: support civil disobedience Southern Baptists: uphold prosecution if laws were broken Meanwhile, Multnomah County, OR, continued issuing same-sex licenses—despite state objections.

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 each generation." "What we should avoid is claiming these conclusions were any less the fruit of heart-rending searching." He called for charity and respect—even amid deep disagreement.

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 Network represents 12 dioceses, 6 regional convocations, and thousands of individuals—and has support from primates representing over two-thirds of global Anglicans.

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 onto slipping attention." He pledged a response marked by "the life of Jesus Himself—who calls us to unity in the bonds of peace."

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 "tore the fabric of the Communion" be a "sign and focus of unity"? Did the Archbishops of Canterbury and York authorize his ministry in England? (Required by canon law.) Is this the start of a "softening-up" process for all Robinson consecrators? Why was his presidency not announced in advance—breaking normal protocol? "Silence about this action would be read as acceptance that, after November 2, it's 'business as usual.'" "It is not." Signed by leaders of Reform, Church Society, New Wine, and the Archbishops' Council.

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 Church "I deeply regret these misleading statements… I hope their false impression will soon be corrected."

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 sin—Romans 6:23: 'The wages of sin is death.'" "Jesus was a prophet without honor in His hometown" / "Jesus was more than a prophet—drawing parallels is shameful." Freborg concludes: "This was never 'ordinary.' And 'extraordinary' is the euphemism of the year." "Embracing sin… living for our own desires… God is working a greater good—but that does not justify our complicity."

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 rights for all persons." Crucially, it noted: Religious bodies retain full freedom to define marriage rites. The U.S. Constitution already protects churches from being forced to perform any ceremony. A federal marriage amendment is unnecessary—and harmful to civil liberties.