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News and Ideas from around the Anglican World |
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'Going it alone' is not the way forward.
Setting aside any questions of doctrine, it is simply wrong for dioceses to proceed on their own in blessing same-sex unions.
Time and time again, Anglicans across the country have been asked to engage in the listening process. We have sat through endless dialogues; we have worked through the St. Michael Report and adult Sunday School curriculum in groups; we have listened to endless first-person-singular accounts both pro and con. The result of all of this? GS2007 Resolution A187. Everyone who attended General Synod knows this was the question which determined the mind of the church on whether to proceed with the blessing of same-sex unions. And the mind of the church was that we do not wish to go ahead with such rites. It could not have been clearer. Any canonical wrangling at this point completely disregards the good faith in which the church entered into an honest dialogue.
Furthermore, it completely discredits all of the work going on at present on this issue. Many people have interpreted the defeat of Resolution A187 as meaning we are not ready to proceed yet. As observers of Synod, we can agree that there seemed to be that sense about it. Moderate liberal bishops in particular took a lot of heat for determining that, for the sake of the church, we need to slow down in this process. Currently dioceses, parishes and even our national church are still working at gaining a better understanding of this issue. For one or two dioceses to go ahead regardless is to say “I have no need of thee.” The Bishop of Ottawa’s statement that “they were not afraid to go it alone” made that point all too clearly.
Finally, it is self-evident that this is a big deal. Look at the havoc it is wreaking internationally; look at the time and money and ministry resources that have gone into this decision. Look at the division in the diocese of New Westminster. Regardless of what interpretation you put on the canons or the motions, it could not be clearer that this is a hugely divisive issue and that it will rock the Canadian Church. The fact that this is such a big deal should cause any responsible portion of the church, parish or diocese and those responsible for their leadership to say that we will not go ahead until we are a unified church on this matter.
The bar was set as low as possible at General Synod--a simple majority--and it did not pass. Why then would any diocese feel it is appropriate to move ahead? It is time for our bishops and especially our Primate to give some godly leadership and to tell wayward dioceses that moving ahead at this point is sinful and will destroy the church.
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November
2007|
Copyright The Anglican Planet © 2007 |