What a sad thing to do. Return to the church of Rome that killed so many Anglicans and Orthodox ?

I believe Thou Shalt Not Kill is also in the Bible.

Read up on what the Roman Catholic Church did to the Hugeonauts in France before leaving.

William Downey, Peterborough, Canada

After seventy years of living as a Protestant, I joined the Roman Catholic Church five years ago.

Rebecca Mesecher, Pataskala, USA Ohio

Bishop Steenson definitely has my prayers and those of my family; as a former Anglo-Catholic Episcopalian who swam the Bosphorus rather than the Tiber, I only wish he had come into Eastern Orthodoxy.

hbs

Henry Shirley (Subdeacon), Milwaukee, WI

I have watched my local Episcopal Church slowly die as members leave and abandon a church that for many was part of their family life for generations. My husband, a 5th generation member of this beautiful church, as been forced to leave. We were actually told by a rector of this church that we should not look to them for 'moral guidance since church leaders have their own morality issues'.

We have struggled to find a replacement in our spiritural life and Bishop Jeffrey Steenson has inspired me to look to the Roman Catholic Church..

Laurie Davis, Geneva, New York

Bravo to Jeffrey Steenson for not counting the cost and bravely following the call of truth. For all of us former Anglicans who have become Roman Catholics, the joy of being in communion with the Holy Father and subject to the Church's magisterium is greater than one could have ever imagined before 'swimming the Tiber'. May all be led home to our Mother, the Catholic Church!

Daniel Bennett Page, Baltimore, USA/Maryland

Check out 1Cor 6:9-11. It's a Kingdom inheritance issue. More than one behaviour is listed. But it is possible to move "onwards and upwards," so to speak.

Ted Cooper, Powell River, B.C., Canada

Whether one considers homosexuality a 'sin' is not the issue. The Church is called to love and accept all who call upon her, but not to compromise her principles, convictions, and beliefs. Love and Acceptance are different than Sanction and Sanctification. V. Gene Robinson has a place in the church as one of her children, but not as one of her leaders.

VR, Tulsa, OK, USA

Homosexuality is mentioned occasionally in the Bible, along with many other laws from that time which we do not follow these days. However Jesus does not mention it once in the Bible.

What Jesus wanted us to do most is to love God and to love our neighbour. He also warned us not to judge others, lest we be judged ourselves. If we are all sinners then we are all equally in need of God's grace.

Jesus was not keen on the hypocrisy of those who boasted about their own righteousness (such as the Pharisees, who were the rather officious religious leaders of the time). Jesus said he has not come to save respectable people, but outcasts.

Everyone is a sinner so I am not sure why gay people are being singled out. If people had to be perfect to take part in church, churches would be empty!

Tina, South Wales, UK

At least the Anglican bishops of Africa are against homosexual bishops and clergy.

Brian O Cinneide, Durban, South Africa

Leviticus 20:9 "For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him."

Tell me, Dave, do they still stone disobedient children in Montana?

Deuteronomy 22:11 "Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together."

It's not a pick-and-mix religion. If you're going to quote the Old Testament at me, you'd better be sure you know *all* the rules - not just the ones you learned in Bible study classes.

David, Oxford, UK

Do You know what "Vicar " means? Replacement.....Christ is here for Us every day as much as We need Him.. The Pope is a man Period. The only scripture that talks of any man as notible to God for his service is John the Baptist, Not Mary or anyone else is mentioned by Christ. Although He does say Ye who does all these things I have done are saints in my Fathers kingdom. I think a few Church leaders should do a little more Reading, and less assuming the traditions of men.

M't:11:11: Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

These are words of Jesus Christ, Not mine good people. Please seach yourself and ask the Holy Spirit Directly

In the Love of God and His Word

Thomas, West Haven,

This is what happens to schismatic churches; with time, they undoubtedly will fall further away from God and further into heresy. As a Roman Catholic, I welcome all Anglicans and Episcopalians willing to submit to the Vicar of Jesus Christ on Earth (the pope) and to the Church's core doctrines into the one Church the gates of Hell shall never prevail against.

crusader88, Northampton, MA

I personally have always been sad that the Reverand Robinson did not step down when many of the Churches started leaving the American Church to come under Churches
in other Countries who hold to the truth of Gods words as written in the Bible. We are not to judge or persecute anyone, but we are called to loving rebuke our brothers and sisters who persist in living in a lifestyle that is not exceptable to the Holy scriptures. The one thing no Christain is to ever do is pick out the parts of scripture we like and omit the ones we don't. Above all else we are commanded to Love One Another regardless of the sin as we are all sinners. I hope the
Episcopal Church finds its way back.

Ann Sumners, Desoto, Texas

It's never made any sense to have a supposedly religious hierarchal institution who's head has no real authority over its affairs or its teachings, and where each member is his own pope. It's rather surprising that it's lasted this long. But it won't last much longer. There will be a flood of defections to Rome. It's only logical.

L. J. Longua, New York,

Lev 20:13 If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.


Enough said...

Dave, Heart Butte, Montana

Your comments about the schism and how it affects the greater church's finances bears more scrutiny. If a formal schism were to happen, who would benefit and who would lose financially? FYI My family has been in the Episcopal church for many many generations including several who took holy orders.

John, Vancouver, WA / USA