The Diocese of Virginia reports…that Bishop Peter James Lee recalled the Rev’d Lauren Stanley from her missionary position in the Diocese of Renk in the Sudan following a request from the Archbishop of the Sudan for her removal last March.
The Diocese in an official statement released today stated that the Archbishop of Sudan, the Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Yak, requested that she be removed from her position after her public comments at the most recent Annual Council of the Diocese of Virginia “were deemed offensive to partners of the Diocese in the Episcopal Church of Sudan.”
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I don’t think this had anything to do with theology, offensive or otherwise. Ms. Stanley’s remarks that gave offense arose in the context of a discussion of an resolution seeking to affirm the “inherent integrity and blessedness of committed Christian relationships.” When concern was raised that adoption of such a resolution might cause problems for mission work in Sudan (and presumably elsewhere in Africa), Ms. Stanley said that the people in Sudan “don’t care” about this issue. At the time I took her comment to mean that, in the hierarchy of things that are challenging Christians in the Sudan, the issue of whether committed Christian relationships were “blessed” or not, was not high on the list. I think that was what was meant. Of course, Ms. Stanley’s assessment may have been wrong. Certainly, she missed or omitted the question of whether the Archbishop of Sudan cares. He cares. Bishop Lee was right to recall Lauren Stanley in these circumstances. But I can’t extract any deep theological substance from her remarks.
[blockquote]Another two great reasons to ordain women, wot?[/blockquote]
Rubbish. Spong isn’t a woman. Heresy is no respecter of genders. Besides, as #2 states, the problem here may have nothing to do with theology.
Bishop Lee was right to recall her because AB Yak asked him to recall her.
Whether her remarks accurately reflected the opinions of common Anglicans in Sudan is another story. The anecdotal experience in her opinion corresponds with the experience of others on the ground in Africa; the common folk have many other things to worry about than barging into the bedrooms of other Anglicans. But we all know the opinion of the AB of Sudan, he has voiced it more than once.
I doubt that the AB of Sudan follows the discussions regarding resolutions at US diocesan synods, so I am sure some busy body made it their business to be sure that he was informed about this one.
RE: “I doubt that the AB of Sudan follows the discussions regarding resolutions at US diocesan synods, so I am sure some busy body made it their business to be sure that he was informed about this one.”
Good work to whomever that was!
[i] Off topic comment deleted by elf. This is not a thread about WO. [/i]
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I really want to read all the naughty comments!
[i] Naught a chance. [/i]
-Elf Lady
I am grateful that the Archbishop of the Sudan is consistent in his witness to the Faith once delivered and the education of his clergy. This deceptive individual surely had to teach what she believed. She made what she believed clear. The appropriate response was to assert the Gospel and Biblical teaching by removing the false teacher.
Would that we had such!
The missionary’s statement may have been true in that ordinary Sudanese Christians scarcely have the time or the means to follow the gay activist campaign in the US. Nonetheless, when it comes to their ears, the overwhelming majority of them reject it, as do their bishops. Sexual behavior is part of the moral law, which still applies to all Christians. They know this. Their bishops also know and have testified that the identification of Christians as people who allow immorality can be fatal in an area like Sudan afflicted with radical Islam.
The people of the Sudan generally don’t care about matters of same sex blessings. Of course, Archbishop Deng is not representative of the people and has little interest in their concerns … but rather is far more interested in what they “should” want according to those who set the nation’s “moral” standards.
I think it quite possible that Lauren Stanley’s remarks to the Virginia diocesan convention may have only been the “last straw” that led to Sudan’s asking her to leave.
Back in May 2006 a number of concerns about her beliefs surfaced.
It seemed she was really doubting what she was teaching and whether Jesus is the only way to be saved.
Back in May 2006, Kendall published and article of hers that appeared (I think) in Episcopal Life. If I understood her article correctly, she essentially seemed to believe that Jesus is well and good for her as a Christian (and especially as a priest), but she wasn’t sure what she should teach and proclaim to her Muslim friends and to her students.
As one who works myself in a Muslim country, I had some real concerns with what she wrote and I posted a comment at TitusOneNine, and also copied my comments as a blog entry at Lent & Beyond.
You can read what I wrote at the Lent & Beyond archives here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060613092010/http://titusonenine.classicalanglican.net/
(That is the full archive page for May 15, scroll down until you see the title: “A personal post… Karen’s reply to Lauren Stanley”)
[Unfortunately, Kendall’s post on his old blog which attracted 75 comments is not fully archived. You can see the first paragraph here in the archive for May 11:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060811151401/titusonenine.classicalanglican.net/?m=20060511
But the full post with all the comments does not seem to be available.]
Lauren Stanley’s original article was titled “Wondering What to Do, What to Say” is available at a number of sites online. (I did a Google Search). I found it here:
http://platform.blogs.com/passionofthepresent/2006/06/wondering_what_.html
Here is a pretty long excerpt of what she wrote. See for yourself whether you think Sudan was justified in asking her to renounce her post as a missionary there.
[blockquote]The questions I have about what to teach, and how to teach it, all come to a head whenever one of the students asks a question about salvation.
Who is saved, one will want to know.
Just Christians?
What about Muslims?
This is not an idle theological question here. Sudan is a divided country, with a predominantly Arab Muslim North and a predominantly black, Christian and traditionalist South. The last civil war, which ended only 15 months ago, was racial and religious. The North tried to impose Islam on the South, along with the Arabic language. So this question is not asked lightly. Here, it is quite serious. Here, the answer could have dire consequences. So I tread carefully.
And I tell them: I don’t know.
I know – I’m a priest of the Church. I declared in my ordination vows that I believe that the Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary for salvation. I am teaching Christian Theology, for God’s sake! And still, I tell the students: I don’t know.
I only know what I believe.
And I believe that Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life. I believe that for ME, I need Jesus.
But I also tell them this: No one truly knows how God handles salvation. Salvation is God’s business, not mine.
Yes, this is a rather universalist approach to salvation – I know this very well.
And that is the conundrum for me: Do I tell the students what I truly believe, or do I teach some sort of “party line,” without interpretation, without reference to other religions, without cautions about inclusivity and logic and graciousness?
The question hangs heavy for me because I fear that if I opt for the former, I will be imposing my beliefs on the students. But … if I say the latter – that salvation is only for Christians, and that all others are lost, which is a literal interpretation of the New Testament – I fear I will help ignite new tensions, new fires in this land where Christianity and Islam butt up against each other daily, where religious tensions remain high, and where war has been the way of life for so long.
I am afraid that if I give the universalist answer – which is where I tend to stand, although not classically universalist – I am imposing Western liberal, progressive thought on conservative Africans.
I am afraid that if I quote strictly from the Bible without any attempt at interpretation, I will, in a small way, contribute to more hatred, more despising of the “other,” more intolerance.
I have no answer to my own questions. I still don’t know what is essential for me to teach and them to learn. And on the burning question of salvation, I have taken the middle road: This is what some people, including myself, believe:
We can’t tell God what to do.
We only know what God has told us.
And I know that, as a Christian (never mind as a priest), I need Jesus, and I need to follow Jesus.
As for my students?
I tell them to pray, read, think and talk about it, then pray some more, then make up their own minds.
I don’t think this is the essential information they were seeking.
But it’s the best that I, their teacher, have to offer.[/blockquote]
So, she basically is a universalist. I don’t think her leaving Sudan was merely all because of SSBs or her comments at the VA diocesan council.
For those who want to read more of what Lauren Stanley has written in recent years, check out this page:
http://www.stalbansva.org/sudan.htm
First Family Virginian, do you have evidence for this statement?[blockquote]Of course, Archbishop Deng is not representative of the people and has little interest in their concerns.[/blockquote]Do you know him, have you worked with him and with his people?
Karen B., the T19 archive link doesn’t lead me to your comments.
Katherine, how strange. I had the Lent & Beyond archive open on my screen – not sure how I got a link to the T19 archive in the place of the Lent & Beyond archive. Trying again:
http://web.archive.org/web/20060811150105/lent.classicalanglican.net/?m=20060515
Scroll down to “A personal post… Karen’s reply to Lauren Stanley”
Thanks for letting me know the link didn’t work.
RE: “The people of the Sudan generally don’t care about matters of same sex blessings.”
Yes, indeed — and I generally don’t care about matters of sex trafficking as it has little to do with me and my life. But I certainly know that it is wrong and hope that it ceases. And I’m quite confident that the average Sudanese Christian believes the same about same sex blessings. But shall we poll them and see?
RE: “but rather is far more interested in what they “should†want . . . ”
I should hope that a bishop is concerned about right teaching and moral instruction. Thank God!
Thanks, Karen B., that link works. And thanks for what you wrote there.
First Family Virginian, do you have evidence …? Do you know him, have you worked with him and with his people?
I’m sure I needn’t remind you that this is a public forum rife with personal opinions … and Archbishop Deng is sufficiently outspoken that one can easily form an opinion without knowing him personally. But in any event, while I would not call him a friend, I am acquainted with him … and several of his bishops. I also know members of his church; in fact, one was recently a guest in my home.
As for requesting evidence, may I depend upon you to do the same when next a more conservative member posts a personal opinion about our Presiding Bishop?
I should hope that a bishop is concerned about right teaching and moral instruction. Thank God!
I too should hope that a bishop is concerned about right teaching and moral instruction … but if that bishop — or anyone for that matter — arrives at his position/s having convinced himself that he need not be open to other opinions … believing to be his right a heavy-handed authority discouraging all debate … well … his concern is far less likely to ensure teaching that is right and instruction that is moral.
First Family Virginian, I didn’t ask all liberal commenters if their opinions are based on personal observation. I asked you. Thanks for your answer. Your expressed judgment that Archbishop Deng “is not representative of the people and has little interest in their concerns” seems unusually harsh. I am glad at least to know that it is based on personal observation. I know a few Sudanese here in Cairo. If they are “not concerned” about gay marriage (and I haven’t asked) it would be in my opinion because they are more concerned for the safety of their compatriots in Sudan, not because they approve of gay marriage.
Your response to another commenter indicates that your view of Archbishop Deng as autocratic comes from his rejection of homosexual activity and his refusal to authorize debate about it in his Church. And yet bishops are called by the church and by their ordination and consecration to ensure “right teaching” within their areas of authority. He is discharging his duty as he has been called to. I think I will believe that Deng is an out-of-touch autocrat if I hear it from someone who agrees with his position in this matter. He is no doubt, like all the rest of us, imperfect.
Your response to another commenter indicates that your view of Archbishop Deng as autocratic comes from his rejection of homosexual activity and his refusal to authorize debate about it in his Church.
Perhaps you should read my response again. You have inferred something other than what I implied.