Banned at GAFCON?!

Posted June 23, 2008 * Comments(15)

Wow. I just read Ruth Gledhill’s blog, only to learn that I have been banned from GAFCON. Apparently, I am such a threat to “orthodox” Anglicans that immediately upon my appearance, people should break into singing “All hail the power of Jesus’ name” — should I manage to breach security. I guess one could do worse in a theme song.

I’m baffled. Look at the cast of characters. There I am with Bishop Robert O’Neill, Davis MacIyalla, Colin Coward, Louie Crew, Susan Russell, and Deborah and Robert Edmunds. Of course, I am honored to be listed in this company. I’m tempted to start a campaign to raise money so that we can all get together and have a “Banned in GAFCON” dinner party. So far that’s my best plan. I’d be open to other suggestions.

This is my first experience at being banned, so I would welcome any advice that my good readers might have.

15 Comments so far

  1. The Postulant on June 23rd, 2008

    I’m so envious I can hardly stand it.

  2. heidomaine on June 23rd, 2008

    Golly, Scott. Does it take a lot of work and energy to get banned? Should I be trying harder?

  3. Ann on June 23rd, 2008

    Reminds me of the deck of cards at GC – with the usual suspects – you are moving up. A bit scary tho IMO.

  4. Pisco Sours on June 23rd, 2008

    Scott , congratulations! I think that deserves a little something.

  5. Göran Koch-Swahne on June 23rd, 2008

    What is this? Why are they doing this to you? You seem a nice enough boy?

  6. Bishop Alan Wilson on June 23rd, 2008

    Hey Scott! Yo!

    Whad’ya do? I just didn’t get invited — you got banned…

    Having read Riazat Butt’s piece in the Guardian, I am trying to de-tune from this whole thing. I just cannot believe that anyone would condone rape and lynching, if indeed reported behaviours have been going on in some African countries. The morality of homosexuality is mysterious and subtle. The morality of rape and lynching isn’t.

  7. Peter on June 23rd, 2008

    Does this mean that we have to do the radio spot this Friday (www.wnri.com, people) in a hood so you’re not recognized?

  8. Malcolm on June 23rd, 2008

    Prior to the 2003 provincial election here, an opposition “hit list” of civil servants and crown appointees with governing party connections was leaked.

    Despite having had a series of riding and provincial positions in the governing party, my name was nowhere to be found. Despite having never been “political,” there was my wife, identified as an NDP hack.

    I’m still smarting from that one.

    Now this.

    It hurts. It really hurts. I’m too harmless to ban.

    O the humiliation!

  9. BillyDinPVD on June 23rd, 2008

    Seriously, Fr. Gunn, who’d you piss off, and how?

  10. Gerald Bray on June 23rd, 2008

    Is it true? You cannot believe everything you read in the papers, and with no official source stating that you have been banned from GAFCON, it is unwise to presume too much. Wait until you get some solid evidence.

  11. Scott Gunn on June 23rd, 2008

    Dr. Bray, I’m not sure what would constitute “solid evidence.” Ruth Gledhill has a photo online showing the “GAFCON No Entry List.” There are eight names there. “Banned” may not be precisely correct, but it seems very close to accurate.

    As for the question of why I was banned, I suspect it was my appearance in Dar es Salaam at the Primates’ Meeting. The conservatives were used to having these Anglican events to themselves. There were four of us progressives there, ready to speak with media and to *gasp* crack some jokes.

    Pax,
    Scott

    P.S. I am grateful for all your scholarly work, Dr. Bray. In grad school “Documents of the English Reformation” was #3 behind the BCP and the Bible as most commonly consulted work. Thanks for stopping by!

  12. Matthew J. Bowen, PhD on June 23rd, 2008

    Anxiety is among the worst scourges of the world. Why is this group feeling so threatened?
    If you’d like, I’m happy to work out the guitar parts for “All hail the power of Jesus’ name.” so we can play it (for you/at you)at Christ Church. The GAFCON crowd has not–to my knowledge–secured my permission to use this photo I took of you. That being said, do you need additional photos?

    -Matt

  13. Peter on June 23rd, 2008

    no jokes; this is serious business…!!

  14. FrDavid on June 24th, 2008

    Bishop Alan is right. Rape is immoral.
    But “morality about homosexuality is mysterious and subtle”? What on earth does that mean?
    I have never heard of “mysterious morality”. Is it new?

  15. Dan, the poor dirt farmer on July 9th, 2008

    i am confused- I don’t see an official banned list posted for GAFCON.
    A person ranting on the internet saying someone shouldn’t come sounds like that.
    Is this between you and Ruth Gledhill?
    Is it her agenda and not GAFCON’s?

    Morality – no mystery in the Bible. Matt 19:10-12.
    As I understand it, Judgement is based on one’s personal behaviors.
    I was not invited to GAFCON. I was not deeply scared. I have friends that went and are sharing.