News hit the blogosphere Monday evening that Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire has voluntarily entered an alcoholism treatment center.

The orthodox Anglican web has been uniformly gracious. Prayers have been urged and offered, experiences shared and kind words written.

At Stand Firm, and I’m certain I speak for the rest of the Stand Firm crew, we add our prayers to those already offered and hope that bishop Robinson’s recovery will be full and lasting. Alcoholism has ruined many lives and many families. May the Lord heal his mind and will and break the chains of addiction.

The more I think about this, the more angry/disappointed/sad I am at the state of the Episcopal Church.

+Robinson’s addiction to alcohol, universally recognized for the destruction it causes body, soul and family, can be acknowledged, treated, and healed within the context of a loving diocese and Church.

But in the very same Church his, and others’, addiction/enslavement to same-sex sexual behavior, just as destructive to mind, body, and soul, is encouraged, embraced and celebrated.

The result: people for whom Christ died, people who need care, support, love, healing, and, ultimately, forgiveness never receive it because it is never sought and never offered.

The Church is called to be a hospital for sinners. But when a hospital refuses to treat infection/disease, preferring to embrace, nurture, and pass it on, it becomes a morgue in short order.

In the same way, when the Church embraces sin; nurturing behaviours the Lord condemns, the terrible cost is human lives and human souls.

May God have mercy.

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Comments:

It’s not that I disagree particularly with anything you say, Matt. But I hear this incident as a call from God to pray for Bp. Robinson. Pray that the transforming love of Jesus the Christ may break down any barriers to recovery that Bp. Robinson may have. Pray that he will find this 28 day treatment a place of spiritual retreat where he will encounter the Holy Spirit, Who will then dwell in his heart always. I don’t know how God intends to use Bp. Robinson. I just know that in all things God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. I don’t know exactly what God is doing, but I know that God’s purpose cannot be thwarted.

Pray that our Father’s will be done.

[1] Posted by Rick H. on 02-14-2006 at 06:58 AM • top

Rick,

Totally agree. I think the whole Church should ask God to heal him and to use this for his good for the good of the Church.

My point was that I wish the Church were in a place where all sins/addictions/enslavements could be dealt with so openly and lovingly.

Unfortunately when the Church refuses to let God define what constitutes sin/addiction/enslavement, we wind up with a broken church and lots of broken people.

[2] Posted by Matt Kennedy on 02-14-2006 at 07:03 AM • top

A good post Matt+ I think it needed to be said. And Rick, I echo all that you are praying for Bishop Robinson at this time.

[3] Posted by Karen B. on 02-14-2006 at 09:46 AM • top

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