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Note #5878 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Sexuality
02-May-2000
00175

	Anglican Primates Struggle for Unity in the Face of Sharp Differences on
Sexuality

	U.S. Episcopal Church focus of conflict over role of gays and lesbians

	by James Solheim
	Episcopal News Service

NEW YORK CITY -- The top leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion
gathered under storm clouds for a crucial five-day meeting at a Roman
Catholic retreat center in Portugal and emerged with a determination to work
for unity, despite continuing differences on some issues, especially
sexuality.

	In a communique endorsed unanimously at the end of their March 23-28
meeting in Oporto, the primates -- heads of the 38 provinces of the
communion -- addressed some explosive disagreements that many think threaten
the unity of the communion, including "the deep problems arising from
conflicting teaching and practice in relation to sexual ethics in different
Provinces of the Communion."

	While the meeting began with some expressions of what Archbishop Robin
Eames of Ireland called "dignified anger" but also "dignified listening"
over the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals and the blessing of same-sex
unions in the Episcopal Church in the U.S.A., observers said that the
meeting moved on to "points of particular convergence."

	The primates underscored the importance of "holistic evangelism," for
example, that would seek to transform the whole person.  And there was "an
equally unanimous witness to the unique role of Holy Scripture in realizing
such a transformation, and a shared acknowledgment of the Scripture's
decisive authority in the life of our Communion," the communique said.

	Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold of the U.S. church said in an interview
that the meeting was "one of healing, following the brokenness and pain of
the 1998 Lambeth Conference" (a global conference of Anglican bishops that
declared homosexual activity as "contrary to Scripture" and advised against
blessing same-sex relationships or ordaining non-celibate gays and
lesbians).

	He said that there was "great respectfulness and recognition that we all
bear each other's burdens and need mutual support."  Despite the early
tensions, he said that by the end of the meeting the primates had developed
"a deep sense of bondedness" and a determination to work towards more
understanding and cooperation.

	In a letter to the primates, Griswold said that he reported  to the House
of Bishops meeting in California immediately after the Portugal meeting how
important it is to be "deeply aware that whatever happens in one province is
felt elsewhere and that we must be mindful that any actions we take formally
and officially as a church have serious consequences throughout the
Communion."

	                      Family boldness

     In sketching the differences, the communique said that some regard
homosexuality as "part of the brokenness of human life which needs to be
healed by the power of the Gospel.  So, the
differing views expressed or implied in the practice of other Provinces are
experienced as actively hurtful and undermining of mission."

	On the other hand, some believe that the integrity of the church does not
rise or fall on sexuality issues and they should not impede the church's
mission.  In dialogue "challenge and
disagreement are not only made possible but can be life-giving because of
our commitment to one another in the family of the Communion.  As in any
family, the assurance of love allows
boldness of speech."

	In that spirit, the communique expressed deep concern with dioceses that
repudiate the 1998 Lambeth Conference.  Such responses "have come to
threaten the unity of the communion in a profound way.  We strongly urge
such dioceses to weigh the effects of their actions, and to listen to the
expressions of pain, anger and perplexity from other parts of the
Communion."

	And the primates urged bishops in those dioceses that their actions "strain
the reality of mutual accountability in a global Communion, where what may
seem obvious and appropriate in one context may be harmful and unacceptable
in another."

	The primates also reminded the church that the Lambeth Conference
resolution "calls on us all to listen to the experience of homosexuals in
the church."  In seeking a "careful,  patient and pastoral process" in
dealing with the issue, it is important to avoid "demonizing of opponents"
by "overheated, politicized and polarized language in our conflicts."

	While the actions of a province "may result in severely impaired communion
with some other provinces or dioceses," the primates stressed that "the
unity of the Communion as a whole still rests on the Lambeth Quadrilateral"
and its reliance on Scripture, the historic creeds of the church, the two
sacraments ordained by Christ and the historic episcopate.  "Only a formal
and public repudiation of this would place a diocese or a province outside
the Anglican Communion."

	                 Reactions vary

	Reaction to the communique was prompt and covered the spectrum.

	Australian bishops, led by Archbishop Harry Goodhew of Sydney, quickly
issued a statement, saying they were "greatly disappointed" with the
meeting.  "While there is a welcome
emphasis on the authority of the Scriptures in the life of our Communion,
there is a regrettable ambiguity when it comes to the application of
Scripture to the challenging issue of sexual relations between members of
the same sex."  It said that it is "simply unacceptable" to attribute the
differences of interpretation to "regional differences."

	On the other hand, some thought the communique went too far.  "Integrity,"
a ministry with gay and lesbian Episcopalians, issued a statement saying
that, as the church struggles with a whole range of difficult and
controversial issues, "Lesbian and gay persons are becoming scapegoats for
this broad range of division.  This state of affairs is simply sinful."

	While supporting dialogue, "Integrity" said that it might be difficult
since it is obvious that the primates are not ready to concede that "a
positive, affirming stance towards homosexual persons and their loving
relationships is also one of the responses made to the Gospel by faithful
people."

	Some argued that the communique was "a polite way of saying to ECUSA that
we are not happy about what you are doing," said the Rev. Sam Edwards,
director of "Forward in Faith," a conservative organization that is seeking
alternative oversight for traditionalists in the church.  He is convinced
that the statement makes a direct connection between what is happening in
the Episcopal Church and the resistance movement among conservatives.  "This
time they put the blame right where it belongs," he said.

	Others said that the primates gave an implied ultimatum to the American
dioceses that dismiss the Lambeth resolution on sexuality.  Diane Knippers,
an Episcopalian who is president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy,
said that the primates have "given the American church one more chance to
address its unfaithfulness to Scripture and its divisions."  She saw in the
decision of the primates to meet every year "the potential of stronger
disciplinary action should the Episcopal Church refuse to heed these
warnings."

	The American Anglican Council (AAC) saw the communique as a "stern rebuke"
to dioceses in the American church whose actions threaten the unity of the
church.

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