Holy Orders

Holy Orders in the modern Roman Catholic Church and in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican, Assyrian, Old Catholic, and Independent Catholic Churches, includes three degrees: bishop, priest, and deacon. While Anglicans are divided on the question, the other Churches mentioned regard ordination as a sacrament. Other Protestant denominations have varied conceptions of the church offices, but none of them considers ordination a sacrament, and some would not consider their ministries in terms of holy orders at all.

Ordination of homosexuals

Judaism

The ordination of homosexuals as Rabbis is an issue being dealt with in nearly all sects of Judaism. Often this issue is dealt with by Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism, although not exclusively. The most noted openly homosexual rabbi is Rabbi Steven Greenberg. Trembling Before G-D is a documentary dealing with homosexuality and Orthodox Judaism.

Related Topics:
Homosexuals - Rabbis - Judaism - Conservative Judaism - Reform Judaism - Steven Greenberg - Documentary - Orthodox Judaism

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Christianity

The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is the only American denominations with an official stance allowing homosexuals to be ordained. The United Church of Christ, because of its decentralized model, allows ordination out of default since there are no official denomination-wide stances on doctrine. Other denominations such as The Episcopal Church have openly ordained homosexuals despite official policies to the contrary. Some denominations allow for these ordained to be in union with their partners. Other denominations require a vow of celibacy. Most of the mainline protestant denominations are openly discussing the issue such as the Presbyterian Church USA, the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) and the Uniting Church in Australia.

Related Topics:
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches - American - Homosexuals - United Church of Christ - Doctrine - The Episcopal Church - Celibacy - Presbyterian Church USA - Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELCA) - Uniting Church in Australia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Recently the ordination of Gene Robinson to the order of bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, and the near ordination of Jeffrey John (was to be ordained Bishop of Reading) in the Church of England have caused a stir in the Anglican Communion, as not all provinces approve of such actions.

Related Topics:
Gene Robinson - Bishop - Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire - Jeffrey John - Church of England - Anglican Communion

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The ordination of homosexuals is not a new thing, but the open ordination has come to light. Often those who were homosexual did not admit their sexuality, and were ordained. Upon the ordination of Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop J. Neil Alexander of the Diocese of Atlanta said he voted for the ordination because Gene was open about his sexuality and honest, whereas in the past known gay clergy were ordained to the episcopate only because they lied about it.

Related Topics:
J. Neil Alexander - Diocese of Atlanta

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In many churches this is a very volatile issue, as is the ordination of women in many churches. It is not likely that a resolution will be swift. Within mainline churches the Confessing Movement has been a vehicle for the opposition to the ordination of homosexuals.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Humanist

Humanist and other rationalist religious organizations recognize and affirm the right of celebrants who are consenting adults to enter into relationships with other consenting adults regardless of their sexual orientation or gender.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~