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Kieschnick


From "LCMS e-News" <LCMSENEWS@lcms.org>
Date Thu, 7 Aug 2003 21:23:31 -0500

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	August 7, 2003 ....................... LCMSNews -- No. 87

	Kieschnick saddened
	after Episcopal Church
	OKs first gay bishop

	The president of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod says that
he is profoundly saddened and deeply disturbed by the decision of the
Episcopal Church U.S.A. to give its approval to the election of an
openly homosexual bishop.

	LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick made his comments in a
statement to LCMS leaders Aug. 6, the day after the Episcopal House of
Bishops voted 62-45 to confirm the nomination of Rev. Gene Robinson as
bishop of New Hampshire. He is the first openly gay bishop in the
history of the Episcopal Church.

	Kieschnicks entire statement reads as follows:

	As President of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, I am
profoundly saddened and deeply disturbed by the decision of the
Episcopal Church U.S.A. to give its approval to the election of an
openly homosexual bishop.

	While it is clear from Gods Word that His forgiving love in
Jesus Christ is constant for all people, this action nevertheless
constitutes a momentous break from the Christian Churchs 2000-year-long
understanding of what the Holy Scriptures teach about homosexual
behavior as contrary to Gods will and the biblical qualifications for
holding the pastoral office.

	As many have already observed, this historic decision will be
deeply divisive not only in the Episcopal Church itself, but also in the
wider Anglican Communion, and it will undoubtedly provoke controversy
throughout all of Christendom.

	It is my sincere hope that the Episcopal Church U.S.A. would
reconsider their decision in the light of the biblical understanding of
human sexuality and the qualifications for the pastoral office. It is my
fervent prayer that God the Holy Spirit will guide and sustain our
brothers and sisters in Christ in the Episcopal Church U.S.A. as they
wrestle with the implications of this action in the months and years to
come.

	*********************************

	PLEASE NOTE:
	The headline for LCMSNews release No. 86 on August 1 should have
read Good news: Synod started 84 congregations in 2002, instead of
2004.

	*********************************

	If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release,
contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or (314) 996-1231,
or Paula Schlueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org or (314) 996-1230.

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