wfn.org | Re: SPEECH BY ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

[a.whitefield@quest.org.uk]

Title:SPEECH BY ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY Part 2 of 2
July 17, 1997
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE 
Canon James Rosenthal, Director of Communications, 
Anglican Communion Office
London, England

ACC 1287 

(ACNS)  THE MOST REVEREND AND RIGHT HONOURABLE DR GEORGE CAREY
ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

General Synod York, July 1997

ARCHDEACON OF WANDSWORTH'S PRIVATE MEMBER'S MOTION
SPEECH BY ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
   Part 2 of 2

On the first question, let me make clear my own starting point. I do not
find any justification, from the Bible or the entire Christian
tradition, for sexual activity outside marriage.   Thus, same sex
relationships in my view cannot be on a par with marriage and the Church
should resist any diminishing of the fundamental 'sacramentum' of
marriage. Clergy, especially, must model relationships that commend the
faith of Christ. I know that this statement will distress some, and I
understand the pastoral difficulties that come from working out the
discipline of the Church in the personal life, but I could not commend
any significant departure from the principles and conclusions set out in
the Issues Statement. Of course, that Statement or its preface is not to
be seen as Holy Writ and is there to be debated.  In that sense it is
not intended to be the last word, as if prayerful discussion should
stop!  But I do not believe any major change is likely in the
foreseeable future and I do not myself share the assumption that it is
only a matter of time before the Church will change its mind.

But there are brothers and sisters who wish to challenge that view, and
it is right that courteous, thoughtful debate and prayer should
continue.   It is a disappointment to many of us in the House that
Issues in Human Sexuality has not been as widely discussed as we had
hoped.   This debate presents us with an opportunity to send it to the
dioceses and deaneries with a fresh commendation.   We should beware of
mirroring our society's near-obsession with sexual matters, but the
issue does deserve serious, prayerful attention along with other
important contemporary questions.  Let us show that we can disagree on
particular issues and yet work together in the Body of Christ for the
sake of all we hold in common, reminding ourselves that Christ's mission
to preach the Good News comes before all else.

Finally, let me add a word about the responsibility of Bishops.  To us
is given responsibility for the Church's faith and moral life.  We shall
take these seriously - as the Ordinal reminds us to administer the
discipline firmly,  but with mercy.