Varying interpretations of the decisions made in June by General Synod about human sexuality have already led one Canadian parish to publicly offer blessings to same-gender unions, and another to say that it would not deny a parishioner’s request for a same-sex marriage.
During its seven-day national meeting in Winnipeg last June 19 to 25, the church’s highest governing body approved a resolution saying that same-sex blessings are “not in conflict” with the church’s core doctrine but defeated another that would have given dioceses the power to offer them in churches.
Rev. Jim Ferry, who was fired in 1991 for defying his bishop’s order to end a homosexual relationship, believes there is enough ambiguity in those decisions that it is left open to dioceses and churches to offer same-sex blessings. (Although he lost his licence in the ’90s, he has since been given some duties at Holy Trinity church in downtown Toronto.)
“I think at first there was some confusion (regarding the decisions on sexuality). But after having reflected on them, it seemed that the most important of the two resolutions (the one stating same-sex blessings are “not in conflict” with Anglican core doctrine) had passed,” said Mr. Ferry. “It’s very positive. It moves us out of the realm of canon law into pastoral decision making.”
Regarding ambiguous language:
[blockquote]Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matt. 5:37 (NIV) [/blockquote]
“Transform”? Hardly through exerting pressure. “Replace”? Well, not in the US. Is there a “substantial minority” in TEC opposed to the ordination of gays and lesbians? Perhaps, but I doubt there will be a mass exidous after these recent consecrations. I think that most of those who are so dissatisfied as to leave the Church have already done so, and that most will stay and work to change TEC from within instead of picking up their marbles and going elsewhere. I certainly hope so. Their voices are important to the Church’s ongoingconversation.
I have thought long before the Present Unpleasantness that some degree of Christian revivalism will come to the West from the third world. We’ll see how much and how successful it will be. Among immigrants from those provinces many are active in TEC and enriching it with their perspectives, worship, and culture. May there be more. A revival within TEC that broadens its view of the world would be most welcome.
I wonder how many Episcopalians who have left TEC since 2003 have joined the already present 20+ splinter Anglican groups like the OAC and the APA. How would those numbers stack up against those who have left to join any of the “missionary” dioceses of African provinces? It would be an interesting set of statistics.
It was good for an African primate and +Duncan to say openly what we have long expected to be announced: a realignment of Anglican dissident groups who wish to stay in the AC and as a new body replace TEC in the Communion. The only way that will happen is if a substantial majority of provinces vote to do so. At present, the only legal process in the AC where that could take place is in the ACC. Opponents would also have to convince the ABC, as one of the Instruments of Communion, to no longer recognize TEC and formally request the ACC to begin the process of removing TEC from its constitutional list of Communion members. Individual provinces may, as some already have done, break communion with TEC, but the Primates Meeting does not have the authority or power to boot TEC out of the Communion, however much a few of its members may furiously rage together.
Is this a case of the “..blind leading the blind..”?
Well, it’s a good tactic, the nose of the camel under the wall of the tent. By the time all is straightened out,the whole camel will be in the tent, and TEC and Canada will be over the hump. The amount of doubletalk, the straightforward dishonesty, the unprincipled hairsplitting, however, is depressing because it is so clear, so flagrant. How can a church keep its integrity with such casuistical manipulations? Larry
As to whether there will be a mass exodus of disappointed orthodox Episcopalians after TEC’s failufre to comply Sept 30 with the DeS directives, we’ll begin knowing in about 26 more days. And trying to say that a majority of Primates can’t put TEC out of the Communion is simply silly.
In faith, Dave
Viva Texas