The day started with an amazingly upbeat Eucharist led by the Episcopal Church of Cuba and which undoubtedly contributed to the texture of the morning. The story of the woman taken in adultery in John’s Gospel was a good vehicle to take the Bible study group into a discussion of a statement by the Sudanese Bishops in which they expressed their opposition to the consecration of a practicing homosexual as a bishop. Whilst the majority of my group shared the concerns of the Sudanese, the engagement was much more about how we can ensure that the Communion remains intact.
I was moved by the very positive statements being made about the value of the Anglican Communion. We considered how provinces having a different attitude to these things may not be an issue which can be resolved, but we went onto consider how we can find a future together. Whilst we didn’t even begin to resolve the issues, we did achieve a quality of engagement which will frustrate those looking for conflict and schism.
“Looking for conflict and schism” —- well, that just about says it all.
No, it frustrates those looking for repentance leading to forgiveness. Unity will not come from continuing to say that we can work out our differences. There is no working out of these differences.
Quality of engagement? Quality of engagement? What nonsense is this?
This will frustrate those looking for conflict? What? What it will do is stir the ire of those who want solutions, not some #%$&* quality of engagement. How can he utter such poppycock?
He considered how provinces having a different attitude about wo and homosexuality and the like may be issues t hat cannot be resolved, and he wants therefore to talk about unity when the very elements which break unity – and so they should! – are beyond resolution! How CAN he utter such bafflegab? Larry
Now Larry, don’t go getting so upset whilst the good bishop continues in his upbeat mood. You may rough up the texture of the evening.