First lesbian archbishop laments people leaving church over her sexuality: 'Very hurtful' GAFCON leader points to warning in Romans 1:26

[Michie]

The first openly lesbian archbishop in Christian history recently said she finds it "very hurtful" that some people are leaving her church in protest of her gender and sexuality.

"There are still patches all over the place where people continue to struggle with women in leadership and I have to respect that," the Most Rev. Cherry Vann, 67, who serves as bishop of Monmouth and was elected in July as the 15th archbishop of Wales, told the BBC last week.

“The Church in Wales is working hard to welcome LGBT+ people, but also I respect that there are people in the Church in Wales who find that really difficult," she said. "Some, sadly, have felt the need to leave and I take that very seriously."

Continued below.

First lesbian archbishop laments people leaving church over her sexuality: 'Very hurtful'

The Most Rev Cherry Vann, the first openly lesbian archbishop in the world, recently lamented that some people are leaving her church in protest of her gender and sexuality

www.christianpost.com

 

[Delvianna]

There is a VAST difference between "welcoming" the LGBT and affirming them. You can do the former without doing the latter. Scripture is clear that any LGBT lifestyle is considered a sin. To act like its not is wrong, and to place a spiritual leader over others who actively are living in sin, is ludicrous. But that is the way of the world today. Ignore sin for the sake of peoples feelings.

 

[RileyG]

There is a VAST difference between "welcoming" the LGBT and affirming them. You can do the former without doing the latter. Scripture is clear that any LGBT lifestyle is considered a sin. To act like its not is wrong, and to place a spiritual leader over others who actively are living in sin, is ludicrous. But that is the way of the world today. Ignore sin for the sake of peoples feelings.

Amen. Praying for her repentance and all those with same-sex attraction. They need Jesus and real healing.

 

[rebornfree]

It's sad that people are leaving, but what can they do if the Bishop is living a lifestyle contrary to the gospel and thinking that there is nothing wrong with it? If she was repentant, and agreed that homosexual activity is wrong, that would be different. Alternatively, if she was house-sharing, as a friend, with the other lady that would be okay, but the article refers to them as civil partners.

It's not just the Bishop though as the electoral college voted for her, which makes me wonder how many in the Church of England believe the Bible, and in a miracle-working God who can redeem and heal but who is also going to judge.
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[RileyG]

It's sad that people are leaving, but what can they do if the Bishop is living a lifestyle contrary to the gospel and thinking that there is nothing wrong with it? If she was repentant, and agreed that homosexual activity is wrong, that would be different. Alternatively, if she was house-sharing, as a friend, with the other lady that would be okay, but the article refers to them as civil partners.

It's not just the Bishop though as the electoral college voted for her, which makes me wonder how many in the Church of England believe the Bible, and in a miracle-working God who can redeem and heal but who is also going to judge.
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Per the forum rules we are not allowed to debate the morality over her homosexuality, but believers are called to pray for one another.

I have nothing else to add!

 

[Michie]

Per the forum rules we are not allowed to debate the morality over her homosexuality, but believers are called to pray for one another.

I have nothing else to add!

So people can’t say that practicing homosexuality is a sin?

 

[RileyG]

So people can’t say that practicing homosexuality is a sin?

They can. Yes, Christians absolutely can say homosexuality, specific the acts, are a sin. Just not debate the morality of it.

 

[PloverWing]

They can. Yes, Christians absolutely can say homosexuality, specific the acts, are a sin. Just not debate the morality of it.

I'm not following the distinction you're making. Isn't morality exactly the question of whether an act is sinful or not?

 

[RileyG]

I'm not following the distinction you're making. Isn't morality exactly the question of whether an act is sinful or not?

Maybe I'm not clear.

Official rules:

Homosexuality, Same-Sex Marriage, Bisexuality and Transgenderism/Transexualism: Discussion of these topics must comply with the sitewide rule barring the promotion of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality, and transgenderism/transexualism. Discussion and debate should only be directed toward political, legal, historical and civil rights issues, and should not be directed toward the morality of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality or transgenderism/transexualism.

Saying it is sinful isn't crossing those boundaries, imo.

In other words, no debating why or why it isn't sinful.

Does that make more sense? Maybe?

 

[PloverWing]

Maybe I'm not clear.

Official rules:

Homosexuality, Same-Sex Marriage, Bisexuality and Transgenderism/Transexualism: Discussion of these topics must comply with the sitewide rule barring the promotion of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality, and transgenderism/transexualism. Discussion and debate should only be directed toward political, legal, historical and civil rights issues, and should not be directed toward the morality of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality or transgenderism/transexualism.

Saying it is sinful isn't crossing those boundaries, imo.

In other words, no debating why or why it isn't sinful.

Does that make more sense? Maybe?

As I understand the rules, stating that homosexuality is sinful is "discussion...directed toward the morality of homosexuality". (On the other side of the question, stating that homosexuality is not sinful is also "discussion...directed toward the morality of homosexuality", as well as "promotion".) But maybe we need a ruling from moderators.

 

[RileyG]

As I understand the rules, stating that homosexuality is sinful is "discussion...directed toward the morality of homosexuality". (On the other side of the question, stating that homosexuality is not sinful is also "discussion...directed toward the morality of homosexuality", as well as "promotion".) But maybe we need a ruling from moderators.

It cannot be debated why it's sinful, but simply stating it's sinful isn't going against the rules.

Clearer?

 

[PloverWing]

It cannot be debated why it's sinful, but simply stating it's sinful isn't going against the rules.

Clearer?

That's different from how I understood the rules, but I do see that you're one of the moderators. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Michie]

Scripture says it sinful. It is a Christian board and we are in a specifically Christian area. What’s the difference between what is sinful and immoral?

 

[RileyG]

That's different from how I understood the rules, but I do see that you're one of the moderators. Thanks for the clarification.

I hope I explained it correctly!

 

[RileyG]

Scripture says it sinful. It is a Christian board and we are in a specifically Christian area. What’s the difference between what is sinful and immoral?

That's fine. Sinful is more theology based.

 

[Michie]

Maybe I'm not clear.

Official rules:

Homosexuality, Same-Sex Marriage, Bisexuality and Transgenderism/Transexualism: Discussion of these topics must comply with the sitewide rule barring the promotion of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality, and transgenderism/transexualism. Discussion and debate should only be directed toward political, legal, historical and civil rights issues, and should not be directed toward the morality of homosexuality, same-sex marriage, bisexuality or transgenderism/transexualism.

Saying it is sinful isn't crossing those boundaries, imo.

In other words, no debating why or why it isn't sinful.

Does that make more sense? Maybe?

You can’t debate why practicing homosexuality is sinful from a Christian pov? What about adultery, fornication, etc? I’m confused.

 

[RileyG]

You can’t debate why practicing homosexuality is sinful from a Christian pov? What about adultery, fornication, etc? I’m confused.

Forgive me, I'm probably confusing everyone. Oops!

Yes, I think that's fine.

 

[Michie]

I always thought sin and immorality go hand in hand. Not sure how the two can be separated. My understanding was you cannot promote homosexuality.

 

[RileyG]

I always thought sin and immorality go hand in hand. Not sure how the two can be separated. My understanding was you cannot promote homosexuality.

Correct.

 

[Michie]

Correct.

Okay. Thats much clearer. Thanks.