Vicar guilty of ‘antisemitic activity’ banned until 2030

[Paidiske]

Link here: https://www.thejc.com/news/news/vic...m=829446&utm_content=12176&utm_campaign=email

I found this interesting because it's the first time I've ever heard of a priest being disciplined for anti-semitic statements/activity, and because the penalty is strikingly strong. It makes me wonder if there's a bigger problem with anti-semitism in some places?

 

[PloverWing]

I've heard of some anti-semitism burbling to the surface here in the US recently, including from some Christians, though I haven't heard it associated with clergy. I haven't studied Dr. Sizer's particular case, so I can't really comment on it, but in the broader picture, it's good for the church to be taking a firm stand against anti-semitism, making it clear that this is not something the church endorses.

 

[Paidiske]

Oh, I agree that it's good that it's taken seriously. It's just... I think for example of someone I know, who ended his marriage by having an affair with someone in the congregation. He was out of ministry for, I think about five years? I wonder about the apparent relative seriousness with which these things were taken.

Then again, the fact that it was an external, Jewish organisation pushing for this person to be dealt with might go some way to explaining it? Or perhaps disciplinary measures are typically harsher in England? I don't know.

 

[Shane R]

It's difficult to find a balance in American culture. Zionism is so embedded in American evangelicalism that an intelligent discussion of foreign policy or the NT Scriptures is unlikely to occur. Anything less than total affirmation of their position is branded anti-Semitism.

 

[Paidiske]

@eleos1954, in answer to your question, no. The Anglican communion is separate from the Catholic church.

 

[The Liturgist]

I've heard of some anti-semitism burbling to the surface here in the US recently, including from some Christians, though I haven't heard it associated with clergy. I haven't studied Dr. Sizer's particular case, so I can't really comment on it, but in the broader picture, it's good for the church to be taking a firm stand against anti-semitism, making it clear that this is not something the church endorses.

The tribunal found Rev. Sizer linked to an article which blamed 9/11 on the Jews, in addition to other social media posts of an anti-Semitic character, so clearly the actions of the tribunal were entirely justified.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Here is a link to Robert Sitzer's response to allegations for anyone that cares to read his 60-page response.

I have mixed feelings. I am all in favor of the Church weeding out clergy when necessary in defense of the faith. Charging someone for linking to an article without endorsement (as I have done in this thread) seems a bit thin to me, so I hope the tribunal made a solid and just finding in review of the evidence.

But as Shane pointed out, Zionism is well embedded in American evangelical culture making it tough to find a balance. Make criticisms, supported or not, of Afghanistan, China, Russia, Ukraine or any of 194 of 195 countries in the world? Fair game. Criticize Israel? Oh, no you can't do that.

 

[The Liturgist]

Here is a link to Robert Sitzer's response to allegations for anyone that cares to read his 60-page response.

I have mixed feelings. I am all in favor of the Church weeding out clergy when necessary in defense of the faith. Charging someone for linking to an article without endorsement (as I have done in this thread) seems a bit thin to me, so I hope the tribunal made a solid and just finding in review of the evidence.

But as Shane pointed out, Zionism is well embedded in American evangelical culture making it tough to find a balance. Make criticisms, supported or not, of Afghanistan, China, Russia, Ukraine or any of 194 of 195 countries in the world? Fair game. Criticize Israel? Oh, no you can't do that.

The priest in question was Church of England, by the way.

 

[eleos1954]

@eleos1954, in answer to your question, no. The Anglican communion is separate from the Catholic church.

Thanks for the reply .... do have another question, doing google searches and they do not provide where the information is coming from


Is this a true or false statement.

Anglicans believe that the Roman Catholic Church is a true, Christian Church.

 

[Paidiske]

Is this a true or false statement.

Anglicans believe that the Roman Catholic Church is a true, Christian Church.

From an Anglican point of view, it is a true church, but has some errors of teaching and practice.

 

[eleos1954]

From an Anglican point of view, it is a true church, but has some errors of teaching and practice.

How can "a church" be a true church when it has errors of teaching and practice?

 

[Shane R]

There are evangelical Anglicans who still find the descriptor 'harlot of Babylon' useful in discussing the Roman Catholic Church. They tend to also be the folk who want to shoe-horn the 39 Articles of Religion into being a confessional statement.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I know Stephen reasonably well, but never in the context of anti-semitism. I have always found him very helpful with expository teaching.

The article posted is not particularly accurate. VW is not in the diocese of Winchester - it's in Guildford. In fact, one of Bishop Andrew's first actions as a new bishop was to suspend Stephen.

 

[Paidiske]

How can "a church" be a true church when it has errors of teaching and practice?

Anglicanism has never articulated an ecclesiology which expects inerrancy or infallibility. The statement I am particularly thinking of is Article 19 of the 39 Articles, and it says:

"The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

As the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, have erred, so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith."

 

[eleos1954]

Anglicanism has never articulated an ecclesiology which expects inerrancy or infallibility. The statement I am particularly thinking of is Article 19 of the 39 Articles, and it says:

"The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

As the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, have erred, so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith."

so is there a visible and a invisible church?

 

[Paidiske]

so is there a visible and a invisible church?

I think that would be a common way of expressing the relationship between the spiritual reality of the church, and the various institutions in and through which that spiritual reality is expressed.

 

[Deegie]

How can "a church" be a true church when it has errors of teaching and practice?

If that's the case, then I'm afraid there wouldn't be any churches at all.