The Episcopal Bishops say ‘No!’

This is the big story within Anglican goings-on circles at the moment.

In summary: The USA Bishops have decided to say ‘no’ to some of the recommendations that the Primates decided upon at their meeting the other month – in particular the ‘pastoral scheme’ involving the appointment of a ‘primatial vicar’. (The resolutions they have passed to this effect are here, or a summary here).

A ‘primatial vicar’, in case you are wondering, is a person who represents the primates and would oversee those dioceses who do not want to be overseen by the normal Episcopal bishops because they think they are heretical for supporting gay blessings and suchlike.

It is all terribly complicated and I cannot hope to explain it here without coming across as terribly dull.

There will be more pronouncements today and in the coming days from the Episcopal bishops as they are having a meeting at the moment. The USA Anglican blogs are good places to get the latest – try Father Jake Stops the World, daily episcopalian, That We All May Be One, Preludium or InclusiveChurch blog. Thinking Anglicans for links, but then you knew that.

[Feel free to republish this cartoon on your blog. Pasting in this code will do it:]

<img src="http://www.weblogcartoons.com/cb/primatial-vicar.gif" alt="cartoon from www.weblogcartoons.com" />
<p>Cartoon by <a href="http://www.cartoonchurch.com/blog/">Dave Walker</a>. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at <a href="http://www.weblogcartoons.com/">We Blog Cartoons</a>.</p>