Godfrey said God's purpose is for the gift of sexuality to be enjoyed in a life-long married relationship between one man and one woman, husband and wife.

"The Holy Scriptures, which are the Church's authoritative document and teaching, are VERY clear on this matter. In no place in the Scriptures are practising homosexual or lesbian relationships allowed, nor heterosexual relations outside marriage.

"It is impossible, therefore, to know by what authority the Episcopal Church is taking this action. It is disobedient to the Word of God, to the teaching of the Church, and deeply hurtful and damaging to their Christian brothers and sisters. It appears that their decision is being taken in accord with their instincts and feelings, and the ways of the liberal society in which they live, and that they have forgotten the moral values and teachings of the Holy Scriptures and their Church.

"The Church believes that the Christian calling is to holiness of life; to be faithful to God's will and purposes.

"We believe that Jesus Christ is the way and truth of life, and that his authoritative word is to be found in the Scriptures.

"The Church, taking counsel together, discerns God's Word and teaching, in accordance with the Scriptures.

"The Church believes that moral values and behaviour are an integral part of belief in Jesus Christ, and cannot be divorced from the great dogmas of faith.

"By its actions the Episcopal Church of the United States has disregarded the authority and teaching of the Scriptures; rejected the teaching and witness of the Church since the time of the Apostles; distanced itself from its brothers and sisters, rejecting their appeals and warnings; and has set itself only on its own course, rather than the way of Christ.

"No one part of the Church can with any integrity ignore and throw to one side the Church's teaching in this way. It reveals a profound lack of theological and Biblical understanding, and a rebellious spirit.

"The Anglican Church of Peru deeply laments this action of the Episcopal Church and distances itself from its false testimony and actions."

A statement from Anglican Mainstream, Britain's leading orthodox Anglican Online News Service condemned the consecration of Glasspool saying it is not a random event, but comes from the settled mind of Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori's church.

"Sadly, this shows that TEC has now explicitly decided to walk apart from most of the rest of the Communion. Since that decision by TEC has to be respected, it should result in three consequences.

"First, TEC withdrawing, or being excluded from the Anglican Communion's representative bodies.

"Second, a way must be found to enable those orthodox Anglicans who remain within TEC to continue in fellowship with the Churches of the worldwide Communion.

"Third, the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) should now be recognized as an authentic Anglican Church within the Communion."

Dr Philip Giddings, Convenor, and Canon Dr. Chris Sugden Executive Secretary, Anglican Mainstream signed the letter.

Anglican Mainstream describes itself as a community within the Anglican Communion committed to promote, teach and maintain the Scriptural truths on which the Anglican Church was founded.

END

FOOTNOTE: As more statements come in from around the communion we will post them to VOL. www.virtueonline.org

BRAZIL: Diocese of Recife Protests Against Consecration of Lesbian Bishop in the USA

Consistent with the Diocesan Bishop's vote in favour of Resolution 1.10 on human sexuality at the Conference of Lambeth, 1998;

Consistent with the "Recife Statement" document produced by the Bishop and the Diocesan Council as a manifestation against the consecration of gay Bishop Gene Robinson;

Consistent with Diocesan Canon Law;

Consistent with teaching emanating from the Holy Scriptures and understood by the Consensus of the Faithful;

In view of the lamentable unrepentant stance of the Episcopal Church (TEC), its refusal to recognize the appeals of the Instruments of the Communion and its disregard for the Anglican Communion as a collective body - a de facto rupture was today further deepened with the consecration of a practicing Lesbian, Rev. Mary Douglas Glasspool as Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Los Angeles - an event supported by the liberal minority, even in Brazil:

The Diocese of Recife reaffirms its most vehement condemnation of the said consecration and aligns itself with orthodox Anglican currents by demanding an urgent meeting of the Primates, the non-presence of TEC representatives in official organs of the Anglican Communion, support for the minority faithful to the Word of God who continue within TEC, and the recognition of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) as a legitimate Anglican Province.

Realignment continues in the Anglican Communion and we continue in obedience to the missionary mandate given us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, affirming sound doctrine and sound ethics, the legacy of the apostolic tradition.

Facts, like these, sadden us, but do not cause us to despair.

Olinda (PE), 15th, May, 2010,

Anno Domini.

+Right Rev Robinson Cavalcanti, ose Bishop of the Diocese of Recife

Revmo. Dom Robinson Cavalcanti Bispo Diocesano Diocese do Recife Comunhão Anglicana
www.dar.org.br

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UK: Fulcrum Response to Consents being given to the Consecration of Mary Glasspool

May 15, 2010

This is a clear rejection of the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lambeth Conference, the Primates' Meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council.

We believe that it is vitally important for the Primates' Meeting planned for January 2011 to go ahead, and that for this to happen the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church should not be invited to attend. Actions have consequences.

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Irish Anglicans express 'sorrow' over consecration of lesbian bishop in US Church

http://tinyurl.com/29ucjam
May 16, 2010

Evangelical Anglicans in Ireland have spoken of their sorrow over the consecration of a second gay bishop by The Episcopal Church in the US.

In a joint statement, the Church of Ireland Evangelical Fellowship, the Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy, New Wine (Ireland) and Reform Ireland said the consecration of Mary Glasspool to bishop suffragan in the Diocese of Los Angeles was "a clear rejection of the many pleas for gracious restraint" made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Windsor Report and the recent meeting of Global South Primates in Singapore.

They said the lifestyle of Glasspool, who lives in an openly same-sex relationship, was "contrary to the will of God revealed in Scripture" and "both wrong and disappointing".

They said: "The Episcopal Church (TEC) has taken this provocative step despite knowing the division and difficulties created by Gene Robinson's consecration in 2003.

"This shows a deliberate disregard for other members of the Anglican family and suggests that TEC does not greatly value unity within Anglicanism and indeed throughout the universal Church."

The evangelical groups went on to express their support for people within TEC who felt "alienated and hurt" by the consecration as well as conservative Anglicans who had taken the decision to break away from TEC and who are now caught up in legal battles to hold onto their church properties.

They said: "Many Christians of all traditions and denominations will share our sorrow and see Mary Glasspool's consecration as a defiant rejection of pleas for restraint and, even more importantly, as a rejection of the pattern of holiness of life called for in Scripture and endorsed by believers over the centuries."

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Reformed Anglican Church of Brazil Condemns Consecrations

Yesterday, once again, the Episcopal Church took a firm step against the teaching of Scripture and the Church practice for over 200 years. The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, in California, consecrated a woman, openly gay, as bishop.

It's the first time in history that this happens. With such decision, the liberal TEC breaks with the clear teaching of the Bible. It's a clear act of disobedience to Christ and a rebellious deed against God.

We, bishops of the Reformed Anglican Church of Brazil, strongly condemn such action of TEC, and we believe there is not any longer space for TEC in the Anglican Communion, not in the Primates meetings, neither in the other instruments of unity within the Communion.

We thank God for the faithfulness, perseverance and example of ACNA, and we believe that ACNA represents the genuine Anglicanism faithful to Scripture, the mission of God and the teaching of the universal Church and the Anglican Communion.

Without any doubt, this fact is going to sadden many brothers, but it must be an inspiration to be faithful to Christ and follow the teaching of the Scripture in this time and hour.

Finally, we expect and desire that the IEAB (Anglican province in Brazil) take a clear position a favor of the Scriptures and, finally, condemn this act so deeply disastrous for the whole Christendom. And, thus, continue to follow the principle of the Resolution 1.10 on human sexuality of the Lambeth Conference 1998.

Let us continue being faithful in the great hope that Christ is alive.

Bishop Francisco Buzzo, Bishop Ordinary of the Reformed Anglican Church of Brazil
Bishop Josep M. Rossello, Bishop Coadjutor of the Reformed Anglican Church of Brazil

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TASMANIA: TEC's self mutilation gathers pace

Bishop John Harrower,
Anglican Bishop of Tasmania
May 15, 2010

I could not have said it any better than the Irish condemnations of today's ordination in Los Angeles of a partnered lesbian as a bishop.

This is not just another cut in Anglicanism's 'death by a thousand cuts' but the gathering pace of the self mutilation of TEC (The Episcopal Church - the Anglican Church in the USA plus its Affiliates). I suggest this is not just a cut, but a mortal wound.

A sad day for worldwide Anglicans who worked for a solution to this crisis via the authority of the Scriptures, the Lambeth Conference of Bishops, the role of the Archbishop of Canterbury and 'the listening process'.

*****

Irish Anglicans Condemn Same-sex Consecration

As members of the Church of Ireland we wish to express sorrow that Mary Glasspool, a person who is living in a same-sex relationship, is to be consecrated as one of two new assistant bishops in Los Angeles on May 15.

Many Christians of all traditions and denominations will share our sorrow and see Mary Glasspool's consecration as a defiant rejection of pleas for restraint and, even more importantly, as a rejection of the pattern of holiness of life called for in Scripture and endorsed by believers over the centuries.

The elevation to senior church leadership of a person whose lifestyle is contrary to the will of God revealed in Scripture is both wrong and disappointing.

The decision to elect and confirm Mary Glasspool to the position of suffragan bishop is a clear rejection of the many pleas for gracious restraint made from within the Anglican Communion, not least by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Windsor Report and the most recent Primates' Meeting.

The Episcopal Church (TEC) has taken this provocative step despite knowing the division and difficulties created by Gene Robinson's consecration in 2003. This shows a deliberate disregard for other members of the Anglican family and suggests that TEC does not greatly value unity within Anglicanism and indeed throughout the universal Church.

We wish to express our support for the many people within The Episcopal Church who feel alienated and hurt by this development. We stand in fellowship with them and with those who have separated from that Church for conscience's sake, many of whom now face legal proceedings and financial sacrifices as a result.

Jointly issued by the committees of: The Church of Ireland Evangelical Fellowship (www.cief.net) The Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy (www.efic.info) New Wine Ireland (www.new-wineireland.co.uk) and Reform Ireland (www.reform-ireland.org). With acknowledgement to David Virtue.

The Primate of All-Ireland expresses his exasperation with TEC here. The Most Revd Dr Harper said in part:

"This is a development which I deeply regret. Whatever may be 'the mind of a majority of the elected leaders in The Episcopal Church', it does not reflect the mind of a majority of those in positions of leadership in the Anglican Communion and it is bound to create even greater stresses within the Communion at a time when consultations on an Anglican Covenant are at an advanced stage,".

*****

DALLAS, TX: Consecration Seals Separation of TEC from Anglican Communion

By Todd Wetzel
http://www.anglicansunited.com/?cat=11
May 16, 2010

Let's be honest: yesterday's consecration of Canon Mary Glasspool in Los Angeles sealed the separation of TEC from the overwhelming majority within the Anglican Communion and signaled increasing fragmentation in the Communion: proof that Gene Robinson's consecration in 2003 was not an aberration, but a clear indication of the determined direction of The Episcopal Church (TEC).

As the Anglican Communion moved towards a more conscious and clearly defined commitment to Biblical authority and the conciliary tradition of the Church Catholic, TEC moved in the opposite direction. As the Anglican Communion moved towards increasing collegiality and interdependence, TEC moved (albeit with few other Western allies) to affirm greater independence. While the public rhetoric of the Episcopal Church continually affirmed their care and consideration for the rest of the Communion, the actions of this insular body made those statements empty sentiment.

The desires of the Communion, especially those of the Global South, who find themselves dealing with multiculturalism and open hostility from Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists, are treated with disdain. No "bonds of mutual affection" here.

A significant portion of the once proud but poorly defined "Anglican Communion" may well emerge from this crisis stronger and more clearly organized. TEC's hypocritical nonsense about unity has been sacrificed in their obdurate affirmation of a "new revelation" from the spirit (of the age). Maybe it's about time.

You can't build substantive Communion on any other basis than unity on the essentials. Biblical ethics are clearly essential, as is Biblical and historical theology. TEC is now inextricably bound to the spirit of the age in this generation. She will find herself widowed in the next. The American Episcopal Church is now headed for the ash heap of heterodoxy– severed and isolated from historic and orthodox Christianity.

While the crowd cheered at Gene and Mary's consecrations, Heaven wept. And the rest of the Communion looked on in shame.

---The Rev. Todd H. Wetzel is Executive Director of Anglicans United & Latimer Press

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In Canada, the bishop of the diocese of New Westminster, Michael Ingham, said the election of Bishop-elect Glasspool signifies that "the mainstream American Anglicans are simply tired of fighting over sexuality issues. There's a general consensus that people have firm and differing convictions on this and it...should not be a matter of conflict but mutual respect." He added: "The people who want to fight over this, who want to make an issue out of this have already left and are trying to form a parallel church...." T

*****

The bishop of the diocese of Caledonia, William Anderson, said he was "not surprised" by the consent given to Bishop-elect Glasspool but also called it "regrettable...because so many Anglicans around the world trusted the restraint asked for at the Lambeth Conference, which would have enabled the Covenant process to proceed."

He added: "I can only hope that the Archbishop of Canterbury will finally accept that bishops and national churches who choose to willfully ignore the teaching of the Anglican Communion and Holy Scripture, ought to suffer the natural consequence of choosing to go their own way - which is to say, that they ought to be considered to have left the Anglican Communion."