wfn.org | Advocates of homosexuals dismayed but not deterred by resolution

["Lambeth98" <storm@indigo.ie>]

ACNS LC101 - 7 August 1998

Advocates of homosexuals dismayed but not
deterred by sexuality resolution

By David Skidmore
Lambeth Conference Communications

The vote of the Lambeth Conference, Wednesday (August 5),
affirming traditional views on homosexuality, has not silenced
the voices of gay and lesbian advocates in the church.

Over 80 percent of the bishops voted to condemn homosexual
practice as sin, but supporters have made it clear that they will
continue to pressure the church to fully include its gay and
lesbian members. If nothing else, they point out, the vote has
served as a catalyst for unity among Anglican gay and lesbian
organizations. 

Bishops pledge continued support

In a statement released Thursday (August 6), over 100 bishops
pledged to continue to work for the full inclusion of gay and
lesbian Christians in the life and ministry of the church.
Acknowledging the difficulty gays and lesbians have experienced
in having their concerns heard at the conference, the bishops
apologized for "any sense of rejection that has occurred because
of this reality." 

The statement, said the 113 bishops, is a sign of their
commitment to listen to and reflect theologically with gays and
lesbians. "It is our deep concern that you not feel abandoned by
your church and that you know of our continued respect and
support." The bishops, representing ten provinces (Australia,
Brazil, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Southern
Africa, the United States, and Wales), said gay men and lesbians
deserve "a more thorough hearing" than was accorded them during
the conference, and called on Anglicans everywhere to continue in
"prayerful, respectful conversation on the issue of
homosexuality." 

Five primates signed the letter: Archbishop Glauco Soares de Lima
of Sao Paulo and Primate of the Episcopal Anglican Church of
Brazil; Archbishop Michael Peers, primate of the Anglican Church
of Canada; Archbishop Robin Eames, primate of the Church of
Ireland; Bishop Richard Holloway, Primus of the Scottish
Episcopal Church; and Archbishop Alwyn Jones, primate of the
Church in Wales.

New alliance formed

Lesbian and gay activists also have responded to the vote by
creating a new inter-Anglican coalition-the Alliance of Lesbian
and Gay Anglicans-that will work for "the unconditional inclusion
and full participation of gay and lesbian people in all facets of
 the church's life throughout the Anglican Communion," according
to a statement released Thursday. The coalition's eight founding
organizations include Changing Attitude and the Lesbian and Gay
Christian Movement, both based in the United Kingdom; and
Integrity based in the United States and Canada.

The coalition seeks to have the communion affirm six points: that
sexuality is a gift of God; that homosexual and heterosexual
orientations are morally neutral; that lesbians and gay men in
"faithful, committed, life-giving and holy" relationships should
be honored; that all baptized Christians should have full access
to all orders of ministry of the church; that these goals are
consistent with Anglican tradition; and that the full inclusion
of gay men and lesbians is based ultimately "on the total witness
of Holy Scripture."

Based on a survey taken earlier in the conference by the Lesbian
Gay Christian Movement (LGCM), bishops may not be as staunchly
conservative on homosexuality as was indicated in the vote
Wednesday. Two-thirds of respondents supported the creation of an
inter-Anglican commission on sexuality, and the "full
participation" of lesbians and gay men in the life of the church.
Though slightly less than half supported the blessing of
homosexuals living in committed relationships, over 80 percent
opposed discrimination based on sexual orientation. Just over
half said they would not ordain a non-celibate homosexual person.
The survey was completed by 10 percent of the 739 bishops
present. 

Integrity to continue United States efforts

In a separate statement, the U.S. Integrity group said the vote,
while exacerbating the division in the Communion over sexuality,
would not deter it from working towards the full inclusion of
gays and lesbians in ECUSA.  The hundreds of homosexual clergy in
the Episcopal Church will continue to carry out their ministry,
and more will be ordained, said Integrity. "Celebrations of
lesbian and gay unions will continue," it said. 

Integrity also called on the Primates Meeting and the Anglican
Consultative Council to be faithful to the resolution's directive
that a listening process on sexuality be established throughout
the Communion. On the positive side, noted Integrity, the status
of gay and lesbian Christians is now on the minds of the entire
Communion. 

While disappointed in the final resolution, Bishop Frederick
Borsch of the Diocese of Los Angeles (ECUSA) said he was
encouraged by the provision recognizing that all baptized
persons, regardless of their sexual orientation, are full members
of the church. Still, he found the original resolution presented
by the sexuality subsection to be more affirming and "more
understanding and welcoming to all persons."

The issues surrounding homosexuality, he noted, are "still very
much a part of us," and all bishops need to continue "to listen
to the experience of gay and lesbian persons."

Bishop Luiz Prado of Pelotas (Brazil) said he would have a hard
time explaining the decision to his diocese, particularly young
people who are looking for a message of acceptance from the
church. He also said he was concerned about how legislative
solutions to such momentous issues will affect the life of the
Communion. Responding to the growing challenge of urbanization
will made more difficult by decisions framed by a narrow biblical
understanding, he said.

"How will our Communion in future times decide political and
moral issues?" he asked.  "Is the way of voting the right one?"

For further information, contact:

   Lambeth Conference Communications
   Canterbury Business School
   University of Kent at Canterbury
   Telephone: 01227 827348/9
   Fax: 01227 828085
   Mobile: 0374 800212

   http://www.lambethconference.org