To repeat the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury: \u201cBut again \u201d\u02dcpastoral response\u2019 has been interpreted very differently and there are those [\u201d\u00a6] who would say: \u201d\u02dcWell, pastoral response means rites of blessing\u2019, and I\u2019m not very happy about that.\u201d\u009d The Archbishop is not alone in his feelings. But the bishops of the Diocese of Toronto have decided to pour more fuel upon the smoldering flames of that unhappiness.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the Toronto Guidelines tell us that parishes can go forward with requesting to be designated as places where same-sex blessings can be performed only when some kind of \u201cconsensus\u201d\u009d within it has been found on the matter. This is further explained as follows: \u201cConsensus is not total agreement; however, every effort should be made to reach a decision where everyone feels heard and is willing to live with the wider body\u2019s decision.\u201d\u009d This is explicitly qualified in this manner: \u201cThe way forward should not be achieved or prevented by a few taking an opposing view to the vast majority\u201d\u009d.<\/p>\n
An obvious question arises in the face of this definition of consensus and its requirements: is there in fact a \u201cconsensus\u201d\u009d of this kind in the Diocese of Toronto around the motives, meaning, and substance of the new Guidelines? The process for putting the Guidelines together precluded such a consensus, and the implementation of the Guidelines moves forward without it. How should those within, but also those outside of the diocese interpret this failure to discern consensus? For we should also ask another and related question: where do the bishops of the Diocese of Toronto stand vis a vis the \u201cconsensus\u201d\u009d of the Communion\u2019s bishops and her \u201cconsultative organs\u201d\u009d, a consensus that in fact is equivalent in this case to a unanimity? Do they stand with the \u201cvast majority\u201d\u009d? Or do they stand with \u201ca very few taking an opposing view\u201d\u009d that is thereby seeking to \u201cprevent\u201d\u009d a \u201cway forward\u201d\u009d towards the healing of the Communion? Does this matter to them?<\/p>\n