Of all the absurd things that the Church of England says and does, it is interesting that Rev Jeremy Pemberton has chosen to mount a legal challenge to the Church’s following its own clearly stated rules. Surely he is not motivated by self-interest?
From here:
The first priest to marry his same-sex partner is to issue a legal challenge to the Church of England after his offer of a job as an NHS chaplain was withdrawn when his bishop refused the necessary permission. The Rev Jeremy Pemberton, who married Laurence Cunnington in April, was informed on Friday that Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS trust had withdrawn its offer of a job after Bishop Richard Inwood had refused him the official licence in the diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. “It this is not challenged,” Pemberton said on Sunday, “it will send a message to all chaplains of whom a considerable number are gay and lesbian. This is an area of law that has not been tested and needs to be.” Anglican clergy are allowed to enter civil partnerships, but the House of Bishops has forbidden them to marry their same-sex partners, at least until a two-year discussion process within the church has been completed.
These so-called priests seem to think that their only qualification is to wear a white collar need to be removed from office. Their calling is to fully accept the authority of Scripture and the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and they clearly reject one or both of these. They might well win in the civil courts as said courts have no interest in the truth of the Gospel. That was proven by the actions of the ACoC – specifically in the Dioceses of New Westminster and Niagara – in which the courts allowed the ACoC to legally steal properties from orthodox Christians.
My only question is when are the orthodox leaders – if there are any left within the Anglican Communion – going to take appropriate steps to correct the matter.
Tish’a B’Av 9 Av 5774 + August 5, 2014
On this date, the first and second Temples were destroyed by The Hand of The L-RD.
In his prayer to JHWH, the Prophet Jeremiah prays, interceding because both Israel and Judah had “obeyed not Thy Voice, neither walked in Thy Law” ch. 32:23;
JHWH’s reply is that they “have set their abominations in the House, which is called by My Name, to defile it…”v.34;reference to the revived Torah reforms of King Josiah,
+ II Kings 23:7.
Who truly has just cause here?