Vicar refuses to allow lesbian couple to both be named as child's mother

The Rev George Gebauer says he feels sorry for gay people and believes there is something wrong with their make-up

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• theguardian.com, Tuesday 3 September 2013 19.52 BST

A vicar would not allow a lesbian couple to be both named as mother on the register of their son's baptism. Photograph: Elly Godfroy / Alamy/Alamy

A British vicar has refused to allow a lesbian couple to both be named as mother on the register of their child's baptism and claimed there was something wrong with the make-up of gay people.

The Rev George Gebauer argued that it would be illegal for both women to be recorded as the one-year-old boy's mother even though both have legal parental responsibility.

He went on to say he felt sorry for gay and lesbian people. "They produce too much hormone — they're imbalanced," he said. "That's the way they are. It's a medical issue."

After the vicar's stance became public, a more senior Church of England cleric stepped in to say that both women – the child's biological mother, Aimi Leggett, and her civil partner, Victoria Leggett – could after all be named as mothers to the child, Alfie, and the baptism would go ahead.

Aimi, 25, and Victoria, 22, had arranged the baptism at St Mary's churchin Warsash, Hampshire, with a previous vicar, but he left before the ceremony could take place. Retired clergy, including Gebauer, 87, are officiating until a replacement can be found.

When the Leggetts went to meet Gebauer he insisted one of them would have to be godmother, claiming the church register only had space for one mother and one father.

The pair promptly left the meeting deeply upset. Aimi, from Gosport, said: "There was no way one of us was going to be listed as the godparent. We are both Alfie's mum."

Aimi, who was herself baptised at St Mary's, said: "Rev Gebauer sat there and told us no child could have parents of the same sex, no child could have two mothers."

When he was questioned on Tuesday about his stance, Gebauer argued he did not refuse to baptise Alfie and the couple's sexuality was not an issue.

"However, when it came to the administrative side of things they insisted on both being listed as mum and refused to budge from their position," he said. "I told them I was unable to do this because the church baptism register only has space for one mother and one father. I believe it would be illegal for me to register them both as mother.

"This is nothing to do with their sexuality. The soul of the little boy is more important than anything else. We did not even push them for the name of the father, we were happy to leave that space blank."

He went on to say he felt sorry for gay people: "We know there is something not right within their make-up."

Later, one of the archdeacons of the Portsmouth diocese, the Ven Gavin Collins, intervened. He said: "Having spoken to Aimi Leggett, I'm pleased to report that the baptism of Alfie will go ahead at St Mary's church. We have addressed the legal issue.

"As I understand it, her partner, Victoria, has full legal co-parental responsibility for Alfie. We can therefore enter their details on to the baptism register as 'mother' and 'mother', as they would like."

Aimi, a design student, became pregnant with the use of an anonymous sperm donor. Alfie's birth certificate lists Aimi as mother but the father space remains blank.

She has been in a relationship with Victoria, a law student, for four years. They entered a civil partnership in October 2011 and the courts have given Victoria the same parental rights as Aimi. Formal adoption papers are being processed.

Gebauer will not be carrying out the baptism.

Source: theguardian.com

Prayers of Augustines

According to St. Augustine, we need not pray for what we need because God already knows what we need before we even ask. Instead, we ought to pray, he suggests, to increase our desire for God, and so that we might be able to receive what He is preparing to give us.

"The deeper our faith, the stronger our hope, the greater our desire, the larger will be our capacity to receive the gift, which is very great indeed. .... The more fervent the desire, the more worthy will be its fruits. When the Apostle tells us: Pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:16), he means this: Desire unceasingly that life of happiness which is nothing if not eternal, and ask it of him alone who is able to give it."
(Letter 130)

The prayers below are widely attributed to Saint Augustine. Where verified, a citation is provided. The portrait of Augustine on this page was painted by German artist Willy Jakob, circa 1945 - 1949.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Breathe in me O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen.

Act of Petition

Give me yourself, O my God, give yourself to me. Behold I love you, and if my love is too weak a thing, grant me to love you more strongly. I cannot measure my love to know how much it falls short of being sufficient, but let my soul hasten to your embrace and never be turned away until it is hidden in the secret shelter of your presence. This only do I know, that it is not good for me when you are not with me, when you are only outside me. I want you in my very self. All the plenty in the world which is not my God is utter want. Amen.

Prayer for the Indwelling of the Spirit

Holy Spirit, powerful Consoler, sacred Bond of the Father and the Son, Hope of the afflicted, descend into my heart and establish in it your loving dominion. Enkindle in my tepid soul the fire of your Love so that I may be wholly subject to you. We believe that when you dwell in us, you also prepare a dwelling for the Father and the Son. Deign, therefore, to come to me, Consoler of abandoned souls, and Protector of the needy. Help the afflicted, strengthen the weak, and support the wavering. Come and purify me. Let no evil desire take possession of me. You love the humble and resist the proud. Come to me, glory of the living, and hope of the dying. Lead me by your grace that I may always be pleasing to you. Amen.

Prayer on Finding God after a Long Search

Too late have I loved you, O Beauty so ancient, O Beauty so new. Too late have I loved you!  You were within me but I was outside myself, and there I sought you! In my weakness I ran after the beauty of the things you have made. You were with me, and I was not with you. The things you have made kept me from you - the things which would have no being unless they existed in you! You have called, you have cried, and you have pierced my deafness. You have radiated forth, you have shined out brightly, and you have dispelled my blindness. You have sent forth your fragrance, and I have breathed it in, and I long for you. I have tasted you, and I hunger and thirst for you. You have touched me, and I ardently desire your peace. 

Confessions, X, 27, 38

Prayer to Seek God Continually

O Lord my God, I believe in you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Insofar as I can, insofar as you have given me the power, I have sought you. I became weary and I labored.  O Lord my God, my sole hope, help me to believe and never to cease seeking you. Grant that I may always and ardently seek out your countenance. Give me the strength to seek you, for you help me to find you and you have more and more given me the hope of finding you.   Here I am before you with my firmness and my infirmity. Preserve the first and heal the second. Here I am before you with my strength and my ignorance. Where you have opened the door to me, welcome me at the entrance; where you have closed the door to me, open to my cry; enable me to remember you, to understand you, and to love you. Amen.

Prayer for Self Knowledge

Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know You, and desire nothing save only You.
Let me hate myself and love You.
Let me do everything for the sake of You.
Let me humble myself and exalt You.
Let me think of nothing except You.
Let me die to myself and live in You.
Let me accept whatever happens as from You.
Let me banish self and follow You, and ever desire to follow You.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You,
That I may deserve to be defended by You.
Let me fear for myself.
Let me fear You, and let me be among those who are chosen by You.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of You.
Let me cling to nothing save only to You,
And let me be poor because of You.
Look upon me, that I may love You.
Call me that I may see You, and for ever enjoy You. Amen.

Act of Hope

For your mercies' sake, O Lord my God, tell me what you are to me. Say to my soul: "I am your salvation." So speak that I may hear, O Lord; my heart is listening; open it that it may hear you, and say to my soul: "I am your salvation." After hearing this word, may I come in haste to take hold of you. Hide not your face from me. Let me see your face even if I die, lest I die with longing to see it. The house of my soul is too small to receive you; let it be enlarged by you. It is all in ruins; do you repair it. There are thing in it - I confess and I know - that must offend your sight. But who shall cleanse it? Or to what others besides you shall I cry out? From my secret sins cleanse me, O Lord, and from those of others spare your servant. Amen.

Prayer for the Sick

Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your dying ones. Soothe your suffering ones. Pity your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones. And for all your love's sake. Amen.

Prayer of Trust in God's Heavenly Promise

My God, let me know and love you, so that I may find my happiness in you. Since I cannot fully achieve this on earth, help me to improve daily until I may do so to the full. Enable me to know you ever more on earth, so that I may know you perfectly in heaven. Enable me to love you ever more on earth, so that I may love you perfectly in heaven. In that way my joy may be great on earth, and perfect with you in heaven. O God of truth, grant me the happiness of heaven so that my joy may be full in accord with your promise. In the meantime let my mind dwell on that happiness, my tongue speak of it, my heart pine for it, my mouth pronounce it, my soul hunger for it, my flesh thirst for it, and my entire being desire it until I enter through death in the joy of my Lord forever. Amen.

Source: Zenit

New twist on ASAP! Like it!!!!

Remember that ASAP means "Always Say A Prayer" Please do not break.
Just 27 words, "God, our Father, walk through my house and take away
all my worries and illnesses and please watch over and heal my family
in Jesus name, Amen."

Christian One Liners

Don't let your worries get the
best of you; remember, Moses started
out as a basket case.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Some people are kind, polite, and
sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Many folks want to serve God,
but only as advisors.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
It is easier to preach ten sermons
than it is to live one.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The good Lord didn't create anything
without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
When you get to your wit's end,
you'll find God lives there.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
People are funny; they want the front
of the bus, the middle of the road, and
the back of the church.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation
bangs on your front door forever.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Quit griping about your church;
if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
If the church wants a better preacher,
it only needs to pray for the one it has.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God Himself does not propose to judge
a man until he is dead. So why should you?
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Some minds are like concrete
thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Peace starts with a smile.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
I don't know why some people
change churches; what difference does
it make which one you stay home from?
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
A lot of church members who are singing
'Standing on the Promises'
are just sitting on the premises.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
We were called to be witnesses,
not lawyers or judges.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Be ye fishers of men. You catch
them - He'll clean them.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
Coincidence is when God
chooses to remain anonymous.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Don't put a question mark
where God put a period.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Don't wait for 6 strong men
to take you to church.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God doesn't call the qualified,
He qualifies the called.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
God loves everyone, but probably prefers
'fruit of the spirit' over a 'religious nut!'
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

God promises a safe landing,
not a calm passage.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
He who angers you, controls you!
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
Prayer:
Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The task ahead of us is never as
great as the Power behind us.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The Will of God never takes you to
where the Grace of God will not protect you.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
We don't change the message,
the message changes us.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*++*+*+*+*+*+*+*
You can tell how big a person is
by what it takes to discourage him.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
The best mathematical equation :
1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by, 'Oh excuse me please' was my
> >>> reply.
> >>>
> >>> He said, 'Please excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you.'
> >>>
> >>> We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we
> >>> said goodbye.
> >>>
> >>> But at home a different story is told, How we treat our loved ones,
> >>> young and old.
> >>>
> >>> Later that day, cooking the evening meal, My son stood beside me very
> >>> still.
> >>>
> >>> When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. 'Move out of the way,' I said
> >>> with a frown.
> >>>
> >>> He walked away, his little heart broken. I didn't realize how harshly
> >>> I'd spoken.
> >>>
> >>> While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said,
> >>>
> >>> 'While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the family
> >>> you love, you seem to abuse.
> >>>
> >>> Go and look on the kitchen floor, You'll find some flowers there by the
> >>> door.
> >>>
> >>> Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink,
> >>> yellow and blue.
> >>>
> >>> He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears
> >>> that filled his little eyes.'
> >>>
> >>> By this time, I felt very small, And now my tears began to fall.
> >>>
> >>> I quietly went and knelt by his bed; 'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I
> >>> said.
> >>>
> >>> 'Are these the flowers you picked for me?' He smiled, 'I found 'em, out
> >>> by the tree.
> >>>
> >>> I picked 'em because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like 'em,
> >>> especially the blue.'
> >>>
> >>> I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have
> >>> yelled at you that way.' He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you
> >>> anyway.'
> >>>
> >>> I said, 'Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the
> >>> blue.'
> >>>
> >>> FAMILY Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are
> >>> working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family
> >>> we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.
> >>>
> >>> And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our
> >>> own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is
> >>> behind the story?
> >>>
> >>> Do you know what the word FAMILYmeans? FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER
> >>> (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU
> >>>
> >>> Pass this message to 7 people except you and me.
> >>>
> >>> You will receive a miracle tomorrow. Don't ignore and God will bless you
> >>>

Being Caught by the Lord

by Friar Jim Van Vurst, O.F.M.
Why was the adulterous woman caught by the Pharisees?

One of the most powerful scenes in the Gospel of John is the incident of the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:1-9).

Caught by the Pharisees and Scribes, this poor woman is paraded before Jesus and a large crowd. It is so typical that the religious self-righteous are the ones who relish in catching people falling into sin, straying from the straight-and-narrow path of the law, which they, of course, observe to perfection.

It is strange that the woman is not the main interest of the religious leaders. But it is Jesus they really want. She is merely bait in one of their attempts to catch Jesus as a lawbreaker.

The word catch has an interesting origin, derived from the Latin verb captare, which means “to chase someone” (into a corner) and “to entangle in a snare.” In fact, the root of the word is the basis for our word harpoon. A harpoon is used to hook someone, which is what the leaders are trying to do with Jesus—hook him by the law.

How does Jesus catch people?

But just look how Jesus uses the word catch in his preaching and ministry.

When Jesus begins his public ministry, he chooses Peter and the two brothers, James and John, to be his first apostles. They are fishermen. But, curiously, Jesus tells them that “someday you will be catching men, not fish” (Lk 5:9-10). But in this case, people are being caught not to destroy them, but to give them new life. Isn’t that what the father of the prodigal son does when he runs down the hill to “catch” his son and carry him back to new life with his family? The father “ran to his son, embraced him (i.e., caught him), and kissed him” (Lk 15:20). It’s Jesus’ description of the good shepherd who goes after and catches the lost sheep lest it be lost forever.

And this is exactly what Jesus does when he catches poor, weak Peter who has just been tripped up, having denied Jesus three times in the High Priest’s courtyard. With a look of love, Jesus says, “I’ve got you Peter. You’re safe now.” The point is that when Jesus catches someone in his hands, it is not for the purpose of squeezing life out of him; rather it is to breathe new life into him.

That is why people crowded around Jesus, as Luke writes in his gospel (Lk 15:1). There was something about his face, his countenance and his voice that drew people so that, in an image that seems so appropriate, they often jumped into his arms to be reborn. In fact, rejoicing is one of the criteria for what it means to be a true Christian and a disciple of Jesus. If we are to rejoice, however, it is not at the image of a sinner getting his just deserts. Rather, it is a sinner who gets a second chance, as did Peter, the prodigal son and the adulterous woman. It is exactly what Jesus means when he says, “There is more rejoicing in heaven for one sinner who repents than for 99 who have no need of repentance” (Lk 15:7).How does the woman experience new freedom?When Jesus looks at the adulterous woman, can you imagine what his eyes must have told her and what she saw? Think of what went on in her heart when Jesus asks, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” After she replies, “No one, sir,” Jesus offers her absolution with his words, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, (and) from now on do not sin any more” (Jn 8:10-11). And for the first time in her life, this woman knows what it means to be free. While making her way through the crowd, she is never more alive than at that moment.

But what about the man, her partner in sin, who was not brought before Jesus? It just doesn’t seem fair. In frustration, people sometimes think he got off scot-free. But that’s not true. In fact, it was unfortunate that he, too, was not brought before Jesus with the woman. Why? He missed the moment of freedom and grace that the woman experienced. The newly reborn woman would surely tell him that if she ever had the chance.

Forgiven all

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The next time you feel like GOD can't use you, just remember...
Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...
ANDLazarus was dead!And Don't forget,Jesus Helped them all!!!!
Now! No more excuses!
God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just theMessenger.
In the Circle of God's love, God's waiting to use yourFull Potential.
1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's Me.
3. There is no key to happiness. The door is always Open.
4. Silence is often misinterpreted but never Misquoted.
7. Do the math …Count your Blessings.
8. Faith is the ability to not panic.
9. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray-Don't worry.
10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like callingHome everyday.
11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not beBent out of shape.
12. The most important things in your house are thePeople.
13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still.God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.Have a great day!!! The SON is shining and heCan certainly use you!Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind ofBattle. Live simply, Love generously Care deeply, Speak kindly.......Leave the rest to God Love and Prayers Always