As a province, I think we should do one of two things. We should either come out and say what we’re doing and why (with strong biblical and theological support), or we should stop doing it. If we take the first option, let’s face the consequences, if any. It is neither honest nor helpful to do something and then say we’re not doing it. It smacks of the worst kind of American imperialism to tell the primates that we’ve honored their requests, when we really haven’t.<\/b><\/p>\n
Here’s another example. Resolution B033 from General Convention 2006 talks about refraining from the consent of candidates whose “manner of life” is problematic for others. Since we’re talking about GLBT people, let’s name them. It’s hardly honorable to place a burden on a class of people (and on the whole church, I think) without showing the burdened class the simple respect of at least naming them. Why didn’t we do that? Because our constitution forbids discrimination based on sexual orientation, perhaps. Or maybe because a motion that named LGBT people might not have passed that last-minute effort in Columbus. Either way, we’ve done something without saying what we’ve done.<\/p>\n
Here’s my radical proposal — as solicited by Kendall Harmon — for breaking the impasse. (I’m sure it’s too late to have an effect in New Orleans, and I’m not sure any bishops other than my own bishop read this corner of cyberspace.)<\/p>\n
Let’s say what we mean, and let’s mean what we say. All of us. Liberal and conservative. American and Nigerian. All of us.<\/p>\n
If our bishops have discerned that now is the right time for ECUSA to move ahead with SSB’s and GLBT bishops, so be it. Let’s say that, go to Lambeth, and face the music. If we say that we’re not ready to authorize SSB’s, then let us ensure that they are not happening in our churches. Then if some priest (possibly including this one) wants to do them anyway, let’s face the consequences.<\/p>\n