Inquiry into the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012 and the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012

From the Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs:

“The Committee encourages all interested parties to participate in the following survey on the two Marriage Bills. … the closing date for responses is 20 April 2012.”

The battle for accurate Bible translation in Asia

“At least a dozen Turkish pastors, as well as some whole churches… have signed a petition condemning a new Turkish translation of Matthew…”

– WorldMag has an article about Insider movements and the challenges for Bible translators. Food for prayer.

Related:
A World of Riches – Reformation21.
In Pursuit of a Faithful Witness – Reformation21.
Should We Drop “Son of God” in Bible Translations for the Sake of Reaching Muslims? – Thabiti Anyabwile.

Diocesan budget needs more than ‘minor tweaking’

“A conference on future funding of diocesan bodies has been told the Global Financial Crisis provides a great opportunity for change but not in the form of ‘radical congregationalism’.

The Anglican Church League organised an open forum on the Draft Statement on Funding Principles and Priorities for 2013-2015, presented to last year’s Synod by the Mission Board. Speakers at the Chapter House on February 18th included Dean Phillip Jensen, who was on the sub-committee which prepared the draft, GAB Chairman Bruce-Ballantine Jones, ACL Chairman Dr Mark Thompson and Senior Ministers Sandy Grant of Wollongong, Peter Lin of Bossley Park/Fairfield and Craig Roberts of Neutral Bay…”

– Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net reports on the ACL’s Diocesan Financial Priorities Conference. (Conference papers here.)

NSW Council of Churches calls for gambling inquiry

Here’s a media release from the NSW Council of Churches –

“Churches call for NSW gambling inquiry – 20 February 2012

The President of the NSW Council of Churches, the Revd Dr Ross Clifford, has called on the O’Farrell Government to hold a wide-ranging inquiry into the gambling industry. Read more

Position vacant: Lecturer in Biblical Studies

You’d have to subscribe to the doctrinal standards of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, but if you do, you might be just the person they are looking for.

When bishops disagree

“What should bishops do when a bishop breaks ranks and violates the collegiality of the House of Bishops?

That would seem to be the question confronting the Church of England since the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam apparently stated, in an interview with The Times, that he did not see any need to ‘sublimate’ his support for same-sex marriage to the views of the Church.

Given the inevitable shortcomings of newspaper reporting, that may not be exactly what he said or exactly what he meant, but given also that there has been no refutation from him, for the moment we must assume this is the case…”

– John Richardson at the Ugley Vicar looks at events in the UK.
Related: ACL Statement on developments in the Diocese of Gippsland.

Pennsylvania prepares for same-gender blessings

“The Liturgical Commission of the Diocese of Pennsylvania, in preparation for General Convention 2012, invites you to explore Proposed Rites for Blessing Same-Gender Relationships, on Tuesday, February 21, 2012…”

– Source.

New album from Mark Peterson

Mark Peterson’s fourth solo album, “In the Name of Love”, is due out next week.

Read about it here.

Stories you may have missed

Here are some recent stories / commentary from around the web you may have missed –

Bishop accused of incitement to hatred in homily

“A homily delivered at Knock shrine by the Bishop of Raphoe, Philip Boyce, is being investigated by the Director of Public Prosecutions following a formal complaint by a leading humanist who claims the sermon was an incitement to hatred…”

Bath Christian group’s ‘God can heal’ adverts banned

“A Christian group has been banned from claiming that God can heal illnesses on its website and in leaflets…”

Bishop takes up Catholic Church’s fight with White House over health insurance

“Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse… [Robert] Cunningham said the Syracuse Diocese would defy the federal government — refusing to comply with a mandate that all employers, including church-affiliated organizations, include coverage for birth control in their health insurance plans…”

The President, the Pill, and Religious Liberty in Peril – Albert Mohler

“In actuality, the Obama Administration trampled religious liberty under the feet of the leviathan state, forcing religious employers to do what conscience will not allow. Religious organizations such as schools, colleges, and hospitals will be required to pay for services that they believe to be immoral and disobedient to God…”

The Liberal Enforcers – Mark Steyn

“Modern “liberalism” is strikingly illiberal; the high priests of “tolerance” are increasingly intolerant of even the mildest dissent; and those who profess to “celebrate diversity” coerce ever more ruthlessly a narrow homogeneity. Thus, the Obama administration’s insistence that Catholic institutions must be compelled to provide free contraception, sterilization, and abortifacients…”

Qld Civil partnerships to start next month

“Deputy Premier Andrew Fraser announced yesterday the Governor had approved the state’s Civil Partnership Act to start from February 23. With a 10-day waiting period, the first ceremonies could take place on March 5.”

Ordination reflects “New Sydney”

“In one of the most diverse groups in many years, candidates from IT specialists to a concert pianist, have been ordained for ministry in the Diocese of Sydney. 36 candidates were presented at St Andrew’s Cathedral on Saturday, 4th February, to be ordained as deacons by the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen…”

Prayer reminder from North West Australia

Members of the Diocese of North West Australia seek prayer for “humility, faithfulness and wisdom” for the DNWA Election Synod later this month.

They will meet in Geraldton to elect a new Bishop on 10th-12th February.

Moore College approved as Self-Accrediting Institution

Moore College has been approved as a self-accrediting institution, which is great news. In announcing it, the considerable work of Alan Höhne in achieving this status is acknowledged. Read more here.

Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn on Gambling Reform

Stuart Robinson, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, has circulated this letter to his clergy –

“Australians need a Government that has the courage to pursue hard decisions…”

“Much of the media coverage this week has focused on the politics of the Government’s decision to sever their deal with Independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie.

Trust is certainly an important factor in leadership, but we must not forget that the Government’s job is to regulate the gambling industry to limit its impact on families and communities devastated by gambling addiction. Read more

The 2011 Highlights in Church Legal News

AS Haley, the Anglican Curmudgeon, has posted his 2011 Highlights (or perhaps lowlights) in Church Legal News –

“This blog’s principal focus is tracking the vicissitudes and adventures of the Episcopal Church (USA) in the secular courts, as it engages in an unprecedented campaign of ‘intimidation by lawsuit’ against the dioceses and parishes who have reached the limits of their tolerance with the national Church’s leadership in general, and with its individual bishops in particular. For – make no mistake – it is the collected bishops of the Episcopal Church who are enabling the Presiding Bishop and her personal Chancellor to bring more than seventy-five separate lawsuits across the country…”

– Read it all here.