wfn.org | Episcopalians: Church of England revises policy on marrying divorced members

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

July 17, 2002

2002-179

Episcopalians: Church of England revises policy on marrying 
divorced members

by James Solheim

(ENS) The Church of England's General Synod, at its mid-July 
meeting in York, clarified church policy on allowing clergy to 
marry divorced people, and addressed other issues in the life of 
the church.

The synod voted in 1981 that "there are circumstances in 
which a divorced person may be married in church during the 
lifetime of a former partner," but over the years it has not 
defined those circumstances. The vote rescinds resolutions from 
1938 and 1957 that affirmed the indissolubility of marriage. The 
resolution now goes to the House of Bishops.

During the debate some argued that "clergy should not be put 
in front-line trenches" by making decisions whether to conduct 
the wedding services while others said that people should not be 
"denied the pastoral and evangelistic service of the Church of 
England at a liminal moment in their lives."

Women bishops

A progress report on the issue of women in the episcopate 
stirred passionate debate. Those who support the effort warned 
against "insulting" conscience clauses in future legislation. 
"There must be no conscience provision," said the Rev. Patience 
Purchas. My generation led the way" in the fight for women in 
the priesthood. "Please do not insult the next generation who 
will become bishops."

Bishop for Europe Geoffrey Rowell warned that it was a 
church-splitting issue and that any proposed change must be 
rooted in scripture. As a member of the working group looking at 
the theological issues raised by the issue, he said that the 
guiding principles must be theological, not sociological.

"Our views are likely to be rooted in whether we see the 
common mission of men and women as more fundamental or the 
distinction in role which comes from difference in gender," said 
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, who chairs the working group. He said 
that new research has shown that some leaders of house churches 
in the New Testament were women and some theologians argue that 
Junia, the woman mentioned in Romans, could be regarded as an 
apostle.

While debate revealed some continuing discomfort over 
involvement of the Prime Minister in the selection of bishops, 
synod decided not to change the system, largely out of fear that 
it would be the first step toward disestablishing the church. 
"We are in danger of pulling a strand that could unravel the 
whole thing," warned Bishop Michael Trumball. "Establishment 
gives us a right of entry into critical forums. The alternative 
is increasing marginalization, the shrinking of faith 
communities into religious ghettoes, and it means colluding with 
the secularization of society."

Middle East violence

Archbishop of Canterbury George L. Carey led a discussion on 
violence in the Middle East. "Suicide bombings are wrong. It is 
always wrong to destroy ourselves and inflict violence; however 
terrible the conditions, nothing justifies the killing of 
innocent women and children," he said.

Yet Carey also condemned heavy-handed Israeli tactics and 
human rights abuses. He called on church members to support 
Christians in the Holy Land as well as Jewish friends, support 
the fundraising initiative Jerusalem 2000, keep pressure on 
political leaders and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

While agreeing with the synod decision to deplore violence on 
both sides of the conflict, Bishop John Gladwin pointed out the 
one of the root causes was Israel's illegal occupation of the 
West Bank and Gaza and the building of settlements. There would 
be no peace until Palestinians had a viable state of their own 
and Israel had secure borders and both sides agreed on the 
status of Jerusalem, he said.

Synod overwhelmingly agreed to a motion calling on Israel to 
withdraw from territories it occupied in 1967, in compliance 
with United Nations resolutions, and also called on the 
Palestinian Authority to condemn suicide bombings.

Farewell to Carey

While Anglicans wait to see who will be appointed his 
successor, the synod bade farewell to Carey, the 103rd 
archbishop of Canterbury. Archbishop of York David Hope praised 
Carey's "immense integrity" and "clear thinking" during "some of 
the most challenging and difficult years for the Church of 
England."

Hope added that "the press seem finally awakened to that 
which we have known all along, namely that we have in George 
Carey an archbishop who is passionate for the Gospel." He noted 
the "enormous transformation" that had taken place in Carey's 11 
years in office, "not only in the nature and pattern but in the 
actual conduct, tone and atmosphere of the meetings, both of the 
House of Bishops and of the bishops as a whole," Hope said.

In his own comments, Carey encouraged synod "to be 
outward-looking in mission; to be confident in the good news 
that changes lives; to be united in faith and service," and to 
"think internationally."

Carey said that he had returned from his visits to over 85 
countries around the world "more encouraged in our faith." 
Underscoring the demands Carey faced as leader of the Anglican 
Communion, Hope said that he had "strengthened the bonds of 
communion by your pastoral visits."

------

--This article is based on reports in the Church Times 
and the Church of England Newspaper.

--James Solheim is director of Episcopal News Service.