“Bishop” Bennison follows Neuhaus’ Law

Perhaps the most famous pronouncement of Richard John Neuhaus of blessed memory was Neuhaus’ Law – “Where orthodoxy is optional, orthodoxy will sooner or later be proscribed.”

The Episcopal Church, particularly the Diocese of Pennsylvania, keeps proving that law correct. The “bishop” in said diocese, Charles E. Bennison, wrote a little note to the clergy under him.

In a note to the clergy on The Commemoration of Absalom Jones, Bennison wrote to "clergy colleagues" saying, "I am very concerned that to date only 43 of us have registered for the Conference on Rites for Blessing Same - Gender Relationships on February 21- a week from tomorrow.”

“Only 43 of you are registered for ze party meeting. I am vvverrry concerned about that.”

Is this the CCCP? Or is this the KGB? Or is this the DNC? I thought it was the TEC! (With apologies to Johnny Rotten.)

”This means that a large number of us may not be adequately prepared to respond pastorally, either to people's reactions to this summer's General Convention vote on rites proposed by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music in response to Resolution C-056 at the 2009 General Convention, or to same gender couples who may ask us to use the rites for the blessing of their relationships if, as seems likely, Convention adopts them.



"Unless the implementing resolution states otherwise, none of us, should we be asked to bless the relationship of a same-gender couple, may refuse to do so on the basis of their sexual orientation."


Mandatory gay blessings. Welcome to the future present of The Episcopal Church.