Local churches say no to gay bishop
BY CLARENCE CHUAPETALING JAYA: Christian churches here have collectively stated that they would not condone the appointment of homosexuals as church leaders following the ascension of an openly gay bishop in America.
Their rejection comes in the wake of the current controversy plaguing the Anglican Church in America where the Episcopalian House of Bishops voted 62 to 45 that Rev Canon Gene Robinson of New Hampshire can serve as a bishop.
Anglican Bishop of West Malaysia Diocese Rtd Rev Tan Sri Dr Lim Cheng Ean denounced the appointment saying, “It is clear that marriage of the same sex is against the teaching of the scriptures and we won’t condone it.
“We will not communicate with any diocese that has taken such drastic steps. We won’t encourage any relationship with them.”
The selection has also brought heavy fire from churches of other Christian denominations who stressed the importance of chastity outside marriage and repeatedly appealed to the Bible to uphold the view that homosexuality is sinful.
“It is clearly stated in the Bible that homosexuality is immoral and unnatural sexual behaviour is sinful. So how can you allow a person to be a spiritual head when he is committing sin?
“We condemn such acts as it does not project a life of holiness,” said the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship Malaysia (NECF) secretary-general Rev Wong Kim Kong.
Council of Churches Malaysia executive member Anthony Rao said the move would “divide the church regardless of which denomination they come from.”
“The council has not made a stand on this matter but I am sure that the general consensus would be – no gay ministers. Reasons are that the Bible does not call for it and culturally we are still not ready for it.”
Robinson, a divorced father of two, has been in a committed male relationship with Mark Andrews for 14 years. He described his sexual relationship as “sacramental” and a reflection of Gods love.
Conservative bishops have called on the Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the worldwide Anglican Church, to intervene in what they have called a pastoral emergency.
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