Bishop Melissa Skelton has added her voice to those attempting to stop Franklin Graham\u2019s Vancouver crusade.<\/p>\n
Read it all here<\/a>:<\/p>\n I\u2019m writing to let you know that I have signed on to a letter from a group of concerned civic leaders and clergy about the upcoming visit of Franklin Graham to Vancouver as a part of The Festival of Hope. This group, of which I am a part, sent the letter in advance to Franklin Graham. He responded in writing yesterday.\u00a0 I thought you might appreciate knowing the reasons why I, along with the leaders of our group, still believe that we should release the letter linked here.<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The letter contains this little gem of hypocrisy:<\/p>\n Such blending of politics and religion is dangerous. First, it comes close to aligning the power of the church with the power of the state. Second, it does so by seeming to develop a false religious narrative to support an exalted and troubling American nationalism. Third, it can divide Christians who do not view things the same way as Mr. Graham. Fourth, we are concerned that some of the policies of the Trump administration have introduced unprecedented structural shifts that put the most vulnerable in our world at risk of greater harm. These policies may jeopardize refugees and reinforce prejudice.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n For decades the Anglican Church of Canada has been \u201caligning the power of the church with the power of the state\u201d<\/em>. Not that the ACoC has much power but, insofar as it has any influence, it exerts it on behalf of liberal-leftist politics. Here<\/a>, for example is the letter of congratulations to Justin Trudeau on his election to Prime Minister from Bishops Fred Hiltz and Susan Johnson, awash with more breathless sycophancy than could be gushed by a couple of teenage girls over Justin Bieber\u2019s haircut:<\/p>\n Dear Prime Minister:<\/p>\n On behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), we extend our heartfelt congratulations to you as our new Prime Minister.<\/p>\n You have set a bold vision for our country. The times in which we live call for visionary leadership in Canada and in the world so that we may build a truly just, healthy and peaceful world.<\/p>\n We welcome your approach to governance and your commitment to work closely with all levels of government on issues such as homelessness, lifting children and seniors out of poverty, improving our welcome of refugees, and refocusing development assistance to the poorest and most vulnerable. Anglicans and Lutherans from coast to coast to coast share a deep concern and profound hope for justice, peace and the well-being of creation.\u00a0Your invitation to Provincial Premiers and to representatives of other political parties to participate in the Climate Change Conference in Paris is an important sign of the kind of partnership needed to address critical issues.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Bishop Melissa Skelton has added her voice to those attempting to stop Franklin Graham\u2019s Vancouver crusade. Read it all here: I\u2019m writing to let you know that I have signed on to a letter from a group of concerned civic … Continue reading