Anglican views of homosexuality
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The issue of homosexuality remains a controversy in the Anglican Communion. During the thirteenth Lambeth Conference in 1998 a resolution was passed stating that homosexual acts are "incompatible with Scripture" by a vote of 526-70; however it also contained a statement declaring this policy would not be the final word and research would continue. Other resolutions passed include "Issues in Human Sexuality" which was approved in 1991 stating stable same-sex relationships are acceptable for laypersons but not for clergy.
These different standards have led the current Communion leader, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams to call them contradictory. He has also noted in his interpretation of the Bible there are no passages condemning monogamous same-sex relationships. A 1997 Church survey found that 19 Bishops had ordained non-celibate gay clergy.
The Church of England in 2003, announced the appointment of Jeffrey John, a clergyman living in a celibate domestic partnership with another man, as Bishop of Reading. Traditionalists within the Church were outraged and John eventually succumbed to pressure from the Archbishop of Canterbury (who had initially supported the appointment) and others to withdraw before he had been formally elected. He was appointed Dean of St Albans instead. Other provinces such as the Episcopal Church USA, Scottish Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of Australia and Church of the Province of Southern Africa as of 2004 permitted the ordination of non-celibate gay clergy and the blessing of same-sex unions, with similar reactions. In the Anglican Church of Canada, six parishes in the Diocese of New Westminster bless same sex unions, and Dean Peter Elliott of that diocese is a gay man in a committed relationship.
Responding to these theological disputes, many African provinces declared an impaired communion with their counterparts. Groups in Western provinces opposed to what they consider unscriptural actions by the Churches of England, Canada, Australia, and the ECUSA, have also stated such, and many (such as the Anglican Mission in America have withdrawn their affiliation with the ECUSA, and placed themselves under the jurisdiction of some of the African provinces, to include the Churches of Uganda and Rwanda.
Summary of Issues
There is a wide range of beliefs within the Anglican Communion regarding homosexuality. Some of the more specific issues which member churches and dioceses are struggling with are:
- Homosexual members of the church/communion
- May they exist?
- Must they be celibate?
- Should we bless same sex unions of GLBT members?
- Homosexual Clergy
- May they exist?
- May they be openly Homosexual?
- To what extent may they be "out" (eg. only to their Bishop/their partner/their mother/the entire state of New Mexico)
- May they openly have a partner?
- Must they be celibate?
- May any of these individuals be Bishops?
Churches run the gamut, from churches which do not accept any GLBT members, to churches which are happy to have openly GLBT, partnered, non-celibate bishops. The nature of the Anglican Communion is such that not all churches or dioceses must agree with each other in every particular in order to share a common faith and baptism. Part of the current controversy concerns how much and what sort of disagreement over these issues can exist while still calling it a "common faith."
Gay bishop controversy
On August 2003 the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire elected an openly gay priest, Gene Robinson as bishop. This came shortly after a similar controversy in the UK, when the gay Canon Jeffrey John was almost consecrated Bishop of Reading. However, at that time John agreed to withdraw in order to avoid division. Although later in 2004 in the aftermath of the Gene Robinson, Jeffrey John was then installed as Dean of St Albans Cathedral, the site of England's first Christian martyr.
A number of Anglican provinces, including the second-largest in membership (but largest in church attendance), the Church of Nigeria, threatened to leave the communion if a non-celibate gay man were allowed to be consecrated a bishop. In addition, a minority of priests and congregations within the Episcopal Church were also considering leaving the communion as result.
The 2003 Lambeth Palace meeting
As a result of the controversy over the ordination of gay bishops and the blessing of same-sex unions, on October 15, 2003, Anglican leaders from around the world met in Lambeth Palace in an attempt to avoid a schism on the issue. The day after, they released a lengthy statement: [1]
- We must make clear that recent actions in New Westminster and in the Episcopal Church (USA) do not express the mind of our Communion as a whole, and these decisions jeopardise our sacramental fellowship with each other.
- ...
- If his [Gene Robinson's] consecration proceeds, we recognise that we have reached a crucial and critical point in the life of the Anglican Communion and we have had to conclude that the future of the Communion itself will be put in jeopardy.
- ...
- In this case, the ministry of this one bishop will not be recognised by most of the Anglican world, and many provinces are likely to consider themselves to be out of Communion with the Episcopal Church (USA). This will tear the fabric of our Communion at its deepest level, and may lead to further division on this and further issues as provinces have to decide in consequence whether they can remain in communion with provinces that choose not to break communion with the Episcopal Church (USA).
- ...
- Similar considerations apply to the situation pertaining in the Diocese of New Westminster.
- ...
- We commend the report of that Conference in its entirety to all members of the Anglican Communion, valuing especially its emphasis on the need "to listen to the experience of homosexual persons, and... to assure them that they are loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ"; and its acknowledgement of the need for ongoing study on questions of human sexuality.
- ...
- As Primates, it is not for us to pass judgement on the constitutional processes of another province. We recognise the sensitive balance between provincial autonomy and the expression of critical opinion by others on the internal actions of a province.
2004 Church Letter
In 2004 the Archbishop of Canterbury condemned comments by Bishops outside the Western world for inciting violence against gay men and women.
- "Any words that could make it easier for someone to attack or abuse a homosexual person are words of which we must repent. Do not think repentance is always something others are called to, but acknowledge the failings we all share, sinful and struggling disciples as we are."
Subsequent Division
Bishops from two Anglican provinces, Rwanda and the Province of Southeast Asia, consecrated missionary bishops for the United States in January, 2000 and formally established the Anglican Mission in America later that year (see Continuing Anglican Movement). Bishops in Uganda cut relations with the Diocese of New Hampshire following Robinson's consecration on November 2, 2003. The Church of Nigeria declared itself in "impaired communion" with the Episcopal Church on November 21, 2003, and nine days later announced it was planning to establish a United States branch of its province to support Nigerian Anglicans living in the U.S. The Province of Southeast Asia broke communion with the Episcopal Church on December 2, 2003, citing Robinson's consecration as the reason for its action.
Windsor Report and 2005 Primates Meeting
In 2004, the Lambeth Commission on Communion issued a report on the issue of homosexuality in the Anglican Communion, which became known as the Windsor Report. This report took a strong stand against homosexual practice, recommended a moratorium on further consecrations of actively homosexual bishops and blessings of same-sex unions, and called for all involved in Robinson's consecration to withdraw from representative positions in the Anglican Communion. However, it stopped short of recommending discipline against the Episcopal Church or Anglican Church of Canada.
In February 2005, the Primates of the Anglican Communion held a regular meeting at Dromantine in Northern Ireland at which the issue of homosexuality was heavily discussed. Of the 38 Primates, 35 attended. Underscoring the divisions within Anglicanism, 14 of the 35 Primates present refused to take Communion with the group because of their provinces' decisions to partially or completely break communion with the US and Canadian churches. The Primates issued a communiqué that reiterated most of the Winsdor Report's statements, but added a new twist. The Episcopal Church and Anglican Church of Canada were asked to voluntarily withdraw from the Anglican Consultative Council, the main formal international entity within the Anglican Communion until the next Lambeth Conference in 2008.
Stance of Churches
Within the Anglican Communion there is diverse opinion over homosexuality.
Church of England
- 26,000,000 members
The issue erupted when Jeffrey John, a gay canon, was elected Bishop of Reading in May 2003. Before he could take up his post there was strong opposition from a minority of Bishops and he was persuaded to resign. However, many senior Bishops have voiced disappointment at his decision to resign. Later in 2004 he was then installed as Dean of St Albans Cathedral.
Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
- 584,800 members
No official policy, however, there is a Rainbow Church in Onehunga, Auckland.
Anglican Church of Australia
- 3,900,000 adherents according to national census
No official stance on homosexuality; however, the national Church leader, Primate Philip Aspinall, has stated the topic is not worth splitting the church over. A prominent Sydney Anglican, Peter Jensen, who is Sydney's Archbishop has vigorously opposed homosexuality and the ordination of non-celibate homosexual bishops. The former Australian Primate, Archbishop Peter Carnley, who retired in 2005, criticized "Sydney Anglicans" for "empty moralizing" and questioned if the Bible condemns homosexuality in a statement:
- The exact meaning to be read from these texts and whether they can rightly be made to provide a neat pre-packaged answer to our contemporary questions is what is at issue. Anybody brave enough to claim to know the inner mind of God on the basis of a personal claim to be privy to the only conceivable interpretation of some biblical texts is guilty of self-delusion. (CSNEWS.COM, June 30, 2003, "Anglican Leaders in Australia at Odds Over Homosexuality Issue"[2])
Anglican Church of Canada
- 800,000 members according to church rolls; 2 million or 6.9% of the population by 2001 national census
"Canadian gays and lesbians will continue to be welcomed and received in our churches and to have their contributions to our common life honoured," in a letter by then-primate Archbishop Michael Peers. The Church has been a strong supporter of the inclusion of gay and lesbian Anglicans in the communion. Same sex union blessings have been authorised by one diocese with others considering such blessings. In 2004 the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada passed a resolution on homosexuality which includes this section urging the church to continue dialogue on homosexuality and whether the Church should facilitate religious same-sex marriages, not just blessings:
- Affirm the crucial value of continued respectful dialogue and study of biblical, theological, liturgical, pastoral, scientific, psychological and social aspects of human sexuality; and call upon all bishops, clergy and lay leaders to be instrumental in seeing that dialogue and study continue, intentionally involving gay and lesbian persons...to prepare resources for the church to use in addressing issues relating to human sexuality including the blessing of same sex unions and the changing definition of marriage in society.
Perhaps more importantly, the resolution concluded that the Synod:
- Affirm the integrity and sanctity of committed adult same sex relationships.
Church of the Province of Central Africa
Archbishop Malango was quoted as stating Gene Robinson "brought darkness, disappointment, sadness and grief" to his Church.
Church of Ireland
Within the Church of Ireland there is a wide spectrum of opinion. Conservatives were outraged at an alleged 'blessing' of a lesbian couple in St Nicolas' Collegiate Church, Galway in September 2002 and the Bishop of Limerick's attendance at Gene Robinson's consecration. The Bishops have announced a process of listening and reflection within the Church. The Evangelical Fellowship of Irish Clergy made a contribution to that process, and published it online at http://www.efic.org.uk
A preliminary response to the Windsor Report was produced by the Church's Standing Committee in January 2005.
A number of northern dioceses have passed motions favouring Lambeth Resolution I.10.
http://www.irishangle.net/news/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=229
Anglican Church of Kenya
- 2,500,000 members
Archbishop Nzimbi has strongly spoken against gay clergy.
Church of Nigeria
- 15,000,000 members
The church remains sharply opposed to homosexuality, regarding it as taboo and against the Bible. Archbishop Peter Akinola has been one of the most outspoken critics of gay men and women in the Church and, indeed, in the world.
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church does not have a policy against ordaining noncelibate gay clergy, thus such ordinations are theoretically allowed. they announced this on March 23, 2005:
- (We) had never regarded the fact that someone was in a close relationship with a member of the same sex as in itself constituting a bar to the exercise of an ordained ministry...We do not have a synodical decision like the Church of England has, which it made a number of years ago, and therefore if someone who was of a homosexual orientation felt a sense of call to the ordained ministry then we would begin the process of testing that vocation. We wouldn't bar him or her simply because they were homosexual.
Sensational headlines in North America announced that the SEC had agreed to ordain gays and lesbians in committed partnerships. The Church thus released a statement pointing out that the policy was not "news". Regarding the media release that the above quote came from, it noted that "Press interest has focused on one small part of the overall statement". It continued to say that:
- In referring to the fact that there is no current bar to ordination for someone who might be in a close relationship with a member of the same sex, the Bishops were simply stating the present position as it applies in Scotland where, unlike some other provinces, no motion discouraging such ordinations has ever been passed by our General Synod. Consequently, the statement earlier this month does not represent any change in policy on the part of the Bishops.
Church of the Province of Southern Africa
- 2,000,000 members (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland)
Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane has criticised other African Churches against homosexuality and said that the church's attention should be focussed on other concerns such as AIDS and poverty. Their previous Archbishop, Desmond Tutu, stated:
- The Jesus I worship is not likely to collaborate with those who vilify and persecute an already oppressed minority.... I could not myself keep quiet whilst people were being penalized for something about which they could do nothing, their sexuality. For it is so improbable that any sane, normal person would deliberately choose a lifestyle exposing him or her to so much vilification, opprobrium and physical abuse, even death. To discriminate against our sisters and brothers who are lesbian or gay on grounds of their sexual orientation for me is as totally unacceptable and unjust as Apartheid ever was. [3]
Anglican Church of the Southern Cone of America
Archbishop Gregory Venables has also been strongly critical of homosexuality. Bishops in his province criticized the Windsor Report for failing to call liberal churches to repentance. [4] The province has declared itself in "impaired communion" with ECUSA, but continues to maintain full communion with opponents of the Robinson consecration (read: Anglican Communion Network). [5] Venables has authorized dioceses within his province to provide episcopal oversight to United States churches that have left ECUSA.
Episcopal Church of the Sudan
- 5,000,000 members
Archbishop Marona says the Church should help with the effects of war and poverty before homosexuality. "We have much worse things to face," he has been quoted.
Anglican Church of Tanzania
- 2,000,000 members
Archbishop Donald Mtetemela has said homosexuality is against the Bible: "the Anglican Church of Tanzania believes that homosexuality is contrary to the teaching of the Word of God. It is a sin." [6]
Church of the Province of Uganda
- 8,000,000 members
The Ugandan church has cut ties with its North American counterparts over homosexuality. It has officially recognized the Anglican Communion Network, a theologically conservative group formed by several diocesan bishops and large parishes in the United States opposed to the Robinson consecration, as the legitimate representative of Anglicanism in North America. [7]
Episcopal Church in the United States of America
- 2,400,000 members
In 2003, ECUSA became the first Anglican province to ordain an openly gay bishop; however, the church's stance on gay issues has been debated for decades. In 1976, ECUSA's General Convention passed a resolution stating:
- It is the sense of this General Convention that homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church.
Various interpretations were held within ECUSA on this resolution, ranging from the majority of dioceses that ordain noncelibate gay and lesbian clergy to the minority group who founded the Anglican Communion Network which opposes such ordinations. On June 23, 2005 the ECUSA defined its meaning in a one hundred and thirty page document entitled "To Set Our Hope on Christ":
- We believe that God has been opening our eyes to acts of God that we had not known how to see before...the eligibility for ordination of those in covenanted same-sex unions...a person living in a same-gendered union may be eligible to lead the flock of Christ...members of the Episcopal Church have discerned holiness in same-sex relationships and have come to support the blessing of such unions and the ordination or consecration of persons in those unions...Their holiness stands in stark contrast with many sinful patterns of sexuality in the world...The idea that there is only one correct way to read or interpret scripture is a rather modern idea.
Church of the Province of West Africa
- 1,000,000 members (Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone)
No official policy.
Church of the Province of the West Indies
Archbishop Gomez has said gay clergy are incompatible with scripture.
See also
External links
- Conservatives rebuff gay Episcopal bishop (Washington Times, August 7, 2003)
- American Anglican Council (a leading conservative group in the Episcopal Church)
- Russian Orthodox Church responds by freezing contacts and joint efforts with the Episcopal Church in the USA
- Top bishop's vision - a world without gays
- Gay cleric installed at St Albans
- Churches warned over 'gay slurs'
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance