wfn.org | Episcopal church addresses resolution on sexuality

[Daphne Mack <dmack@dfms.org>]

For more information contact:
Episcopal News Service
Kathryn McCormick
Kmccormick@dfms.org
212/922-5383
http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/ens
2000-057
Church addresses implications of Lambeth resolution on sexuality

by James Solheim

     (ENS) Dioceses of the Anglican Communion continue to address 
the implications of a resolution, passed at the 1998 Lambeth 
Conference of the world's Anglican bishops, that declared 
homosexual activity "contrary to Scripture" and advised against 
the ordination of openly gay and lesbian clergy or the blessing 
of same-sex relationships.

     The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Sydney in Australia 
passed a motion at its February meeting that asks the primates of 
the Anglican Communion at their meeting in Portugal to "take note 
of the recent consecrations of the Rt. Reverends John L. Rodgers 
and Chuck Murphy as an expression of the extreme frustration of 
orthodox and faithful Anglicans in ECUSA and in the worldwide 
Communion....."

     The resolution affirmed the church's traditional theology on 
the "uniqueness of Jesus" and the "sufficiency and authority of 
Scripture," calling for a rejection of "heterosexual immorality 
and homosexual practice"

     A special March 5 convention of the Diocese of Colorado, on 
the other hand, refused to curb its clergy who bless same-sex 
unions or call on the church to stop ordaining open gay and 
lesbian clergy. By a show of hands, delegates declined to endorse 
the resolutions passed by an overwhelming majority at Lambeth, 
leading some to warn that Episcopalians in this country were 
increasingly out of step with Anglicans in other parts of the 
world.

     The special convention was scheduled at the end of a six-
month study period during which congregations were urged to study 
the issues. The diocese postponed action on two resolutions 
endorsing the Lambeth position at its annual convention last 
October.

Other dioceses have also wrestled with the Lambeth issues:

     *A Diocese of California task force concluded, "We find that 
living out the Gospel imperative to love God and one another 
precludes the rejection of homosexuality, homosexuals or 
homosexual practices. We affirm God's call to include and accept 
all people as children of God."

          *The Diocese of Minnesota cited the baptismal covenant 
and said that this is "a particularly appropriate time to 
include, welcome and embrace its gay, lesbian, bisexual and 
transgender members and explicitly declare that in our diocese we 
continue to make available to them all of the sacraments and 
blessings of God's beloved church."

          *The Diocese of Maryland defeated a resolution that 
would have asked the church's Standing Commission on Liturgy and 
Music to provide a liturgical rite for blessing committed same-
sex relationships.

          *The Dioceses of South Carolina and Ft. Worth said that 
they "will be guided by the moral authority of the 1998 Lambeth 
Conference...."

          *The Diocese of Los Angeles affirmed its policy and 
practice of not restricting membership or ordination "on the 
basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital 
status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age."

--James Solheim is director of the Episcopal Church's Office of 
News and Information.