I'm usually pretty quiet on this issue, (SSBs), basically because I'm, I think, fairly open-minded about it, and there's no point in rocking a boat at an inappropriate time.

However, we have plastered all over the news and on the internet, a copy of a "Wedding" that took place at the end of May in London. See it yourself.....

http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/Weddingr.pdf

Now, it looks and sounds to me like a wedding, between two men, both of whom happen also to be priests in the Church of England. What ARE these people doing? Well a same-sex union has been blessed by the Church, or was that all it was? Of course not!

Now, I have some problems with that, simply because it wasn't a "wee same-sex blessing", but was a full blooded wedding service with trumpets and all! Let's not kid ourselves on here!

I think that the priest who conducted the service should be roasted, since his bishop forbade him to do it! What's the point of Episcopacy if we blatantly disobey our bishops?

As Fr John Penman has pointed out, "The CofE does not allow its clergy to carry these services out as public worship in a parish church. If a cleric wishes to say prayers for a pastoral situation on private property like a hotel that is one thing, but using a parish church is a different matter."

As I said, I'm pretty open-minded about this stuff, and will support fellow humans struggling or coming to terms with their own sexuality. I'd be more than willing to ask my bishop what he would allow under the same circumstances if I was asked.

Today my biggest problem is this:- Why now? Why, at this extremely crucial part of delicate negotiations within the Anglican Communion, just days before the arrival of bishops from all over the world to the Lambeth Conference?

It's almost as if these men are taunting us! I think they are deliberately trying to bring an issue to a head which will split the Anglican Communion right down the middle and leave most of us heartbroken. They are not alone! How selfish can one be?

My morning of misery continued when I discovered this in GadgetVicar's Blog:-

"How sad it is that the mother church of the United Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway, St Mary's Cathedral, has invited someone who, rather than being a focus of unity, is the direct cause of so much disunity. Rt Revd Gene Robinson will celebrate the Eucharist and preach on the 3rd August. It is provocation. He has not been invited to the Lambeth Conference. Although he will be present as a campaigner, he will not speak in any official capacity. This Scottish Diocese is giving him encouragement, and many are rejoicing at the announcement of his visit. No doubt it will be something of a media-fest."

Let the Provost explain: "An Announcement"

I think Gadget Vicar has a point and I'm disappointed that this is going ahead. I had hoped that our wee Scottish Church could perhaps be agents of reconciliation rather than so openly joining up to be part of the problem.

I go back to my original question. Why now????? Why not ask Bishop Robinson next year, when the furore has died down a bit? Why are we stirring up this issue on the eve of Lambeth? Will there not be enough blood on the ground already?