Columbus Dispatch on the "other issues"

The Columbus Dispatch has an article about the General Convention in this past Friday's Faith and Values section, entitled Church confronts choice: Sexuality dispute tops agenda as thousands gather. Yes, I suppose the average "person on the street", if they know anything about the convention, know that the "sexuality dispute" is going to be addressed. They may also be aware that a new Presiding Bishop is to be chosen. What people probably know the least about is the "other issues that will be addressed", so that's what I'll excerpt here. To read the full article, click here. (There is also an article about Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, leader of the conservative Anglican Communion Network.)

Other issues that will be addressed include:

• Choosing a new president of the House of Deputies to replace the Rev. George Werner of Pittsburgh, who was not re-elected as a deputy for his diocese. He has been president since 2000.

• Affirming the church’s support for the U.N. Millennium Development Goals, aimed at battling poverty, hunger and HIV/AIDS, improving education and health care, and reducing child mortality.

• Taking a step toward full communion with the United Methodist Church by approving joint Eucharist.

• Apologizing for the church’s support of slavery and for racial discrimination after emancipation. This proposal also calls for a study to determine whether reparations should be paid to black Episcopalians.

• Affirming that evolution theory "is entirely compatible with an authentic and living Christian faith."

• Calling for an end to the U.S. sanctions against Cuba.

• Considering resolutions on the Middle East, including reaffirming the church’s commitment to ending anti-Semitism, working for the assurance of human rights of Palestinians and recognizing Jerusalem as the shared capital of Israel and a Palestinian state.

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