The bishops have described both actions as pastoral. But in fact they affect the doctrine of the church. The ordination of a person in a same-sex marriage hallows that marriage and names it the ideal, a worthy example for all to follow, properly belonging within the Christian definition of marriage. This is to challenge the marriage canon of the Anglican Church of Canada. This is an act, that is, with concrete legal and doctrinal implications.
Likewise, to bless a civil same-sex marriage in a service complete with scripture readings, hymns of the church, and (if the couple wishes) a Eucharist, is to declare this a Christian marriage. There is no distinction between a civil same-sex marriage blessed in a church and a civil heterosexual marriage blessed in a church. To be sure, the guidelines prohibit the exchange of marriage vows and rings; but the couple has already exchanged vows and rings before a magistrate. If the nuptial blessings currently printed in the prayer books cannot be used, what of that? A new blessing can be written.
If the couple is not civilly married, then we are blessing sex outside of marriage. Whatever the current social mores regarding sex, this is a formal innovation in the church’s ethical teaching and practice.
Amen.
We’ve been waiting for the ACI to weigh in and now they have. And I’m glad they chose two Canadians to write this piece. The dynamic duo of Dean Mercer and Wycliffe College prof. Catherine Sider Hamilton have done it again. BRAVO!
While calm and not shrill, Hamilton and Mercer make devastating points that completely obliterate the facile and patently false claims of the Diocese of Toronto to be engaging in a “pastoral” response to the needs of gays and lesbians. They rightly expose that falsehood for the lie it is. They correctly insist that this is not merely a pastoral matter, but a matter of doctrine and discipline. Moreover, they also rightly insist that these unbiblical and unjustified actions (both the almost secret ordination of a lesbian on September 14th, Holy Cross Day, and the establishment of this new diocesan policy) were handled in a very irresponsible manner. It’s not just that what Toronto has done is wrong, but even worse perhaps is how they went about doing it, in a secretive way that will only backfire and increase the controversy and resistance in the end.
Well done. Of course, if I had written this piece, I wouldn’t have merely called these latest unbiblical actions of the Toronto Diocese “problematic,” as they rather mildly put it. I would’ve used much more caustic and harsh language. But that’s because I don’t give a damn about staying in relationship with the liberal leaders of that diocese, or any other liberal diocese. And they do.
David Handy+
Hmmm. Well, that last comment of mine was regrettably ugly. I repent.
Not long ago I took about a two month break from commenting here after making a far nastier comment on another ACI-related thread. It appears I haven’t fully learned my lesson.
But more importantly, it’s become obvious that I’ve spent far too much time hanging out on this blog and spouting off on lots of topics. So I’m retiring, immediately. I’ve made a similar announcment over at Stand Firm.
Actually, I’ve been thinking of doing so for some time now. It happens that in a few days, the third anniversary of my first post here will come up. Looking up the stats on my account, I discovered that I’ve made over 2000 comments here at T19 over the last three years (and an additional 4000+ at SF). Which is probably way too many for anyone, at least for any sane person. There probably aren’t many topics I haven’t ventured an opinion on, whether I really knew anything about them or not.
Another reason for dropping out is that I need to concentrate on writing the large book I’m working on, that is tentatively titled,
[b]Christians Are Made, Not Born[/b]
[i]Rethinking Christian Initiation in a Post-Christendom Society[/i]
But before signing off, I want to express my thanks to Kendall for the privilege of posting here. Thanks also to the Elves, for generously granting me the benefit of the doubt with some of my more dubious comments that perhaps should’ve been deleted or edited (like perhaps the one above).
Most of all, thanks to the countless people who’ve interacted with me on this site over the last three years. It’s been a fun ride. I’ve enjoyed the give and take here immensely, and I’ve often learned a lot in the process.
With all best wishes,
Pax vobiscum,
David Handy+
Me thinks some will miss you – while others will not, heaving a sigh of relief that they will be less dogedly pursued!
Pax et gaudium!