At it’s annual synod, meeting this last weekend, the Diocese of Perth has approved changes to Faithfulness in Service (the Anglican Church of Australia’s national code of conduct) that remove the expectation for clergy and church workers to refrain from sex outside marriage. The amended text provided to synod, showing the effect of the change, was as follows,
In an explanatory memorandum, the Diocese’s legislative committee provides only the following commentary on this significant change,
The form of Faithfulness in Service being presented for adoption here is a slightly modified form of the most up-to-date revision of the code and is the form of Faithfulness in Service used in the Diocese of Adelaide. The modification comes in clause 7.4 where the clause is amended so that it reads, “You are to be chaste and not engage in disgraceful conduct of a sexual nature”. It is hoped that it would commend itself to the members of Synod as a desirable set of standards and guidelines for those who lead and set an example in the life of our churches.
P28, BOOK TWO – BUSINESS PAPER SYNOD 2019
davidould.net understands this change was the subject of significant debate in the legislative committee for several months prior to synod but liberal voices were insistent.
The revised standard, which now means that sexual activity outside marriage is now considered appropriate for clergy and church workers, was adopted on the voices by synod.
Doesn’t “chastity” mean avoiding sexual activity outside of marriage?
The definition given in Merriam Webster’s dictionary for chaste is: ” innocent of unlawful sexual intercourse. ” Of course, other dictionaries might have other definitions. But it does appear that the diocese of Perth is following the “law” of the government, not the law of God.
Note that “disgraceful” is in the eye of the beholder. Clearly this change to canon also allows same sex partners, multiple partners, and any other variation that is “legal” in the eyes of secular authorities.
So. apparently Perth is the second Australian diocese to leave the Church (not the Church of Australia, but the real Church) for this pagan religion that worships sex, well, actually, 4th or 5th is we include the ones that have voted in same sex marriage. No doubt yet another “strongly worded letter” will follow from someone, but will anything actually be done?
an interesting scripture in reference to this:
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming Colossians 3
Sick.
So liberalism in the Church now fundamentally destroys Christianity
This is going to sound a little nasty, and forgive me please…..
Did that assembly ever worry about what Christ taught?
On marriage and immorality:
1 Corinthians 7 – Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.” But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.”
Instead of making up your own bible as you go along, why not just look at the real one and act like a Christian?
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