Listening to God and to Each Other: The Bishop and Human Sexuality
It has been a long day!!! Some of the Listeners began at 6am to prepare the documents for today!
The Eucharist was led by the Province of Burundi – some English, some French, and a native language which I could not determine. How great Thou Art in 3 languages at the same time was great, as was Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah!
Bible Study was John 13:31-14:17. We very dutifully did the first question, “How has John’s radical paradox, that God’s glory is most visible at moments of apparent weakness and vulnerability, been part of your church’s story?” There were some profound examples. However the Indaba coming up would be “The Bishop and Human Sexuality”. We agreed that it would be easier to speak among ourselves about our views than in the bigger group of 40 people. As you might expect, among the nine of us there was the usual range of views on sexuality, but there was no bitterness or any accusations. There was agreement that spreading of misinformation had caused damage to the Communion. Campaigns on behalf of one party or another were not appreciated by anyone and mainly create backlash. (There is a constant barrage of information on Gay and Lesbian people here including a demonstration as we exited from the hearing on the Scripture.)
The Indaba Group was also very honest. The biggest concern is about the ordination of actively homosexual people, with the blessings of same sex couples a long way behind. It is clear that sexual sins (which were listed by many to include divorce, promiscuity, adultery, same sex unions) are far more important to people than any other sins (like violence within family, greed, unethical business practice). In many places, a divorced person can not be ordained or be a catechist. Those in polygamous relationships can not receive communion. The punishment for sexual deviation is severe in many places in our Communion. Many people feel that the ordination of a gay bishop been has forced on them and has created the great rift in the Communion. The Episcopal Church has been almost silent in response so far.
The second Hearing on the Conference Reflections that the Listeners are creating was this afternoon. Although we thought it might be acrimonious, it went very well. The Indaba focus about an Anglican interpretation of Scripture produced some very harmonious results for us to report. For your consideration, these are some of the points included:
- The Cranmer Collect that includes “…hear, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest…”
- The Canon of Scripture is upheld by us. It is our way of ‘testing’ novelties.
- The Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation. (Who would have guessed?)
- Jesus Christ is the Word of God.
- The Bible was and is the standard way for Christians to be in and on the Way of God in Jesus Christ.
- We affirm different models of interpreting Scripture within our tradition.
- And several others…Further developments of the text are happening tonight for review tomorrow.
- There were conflicting comments on the purpose of the report, so we had the opportunity to meet with Archbishop Rowan late this afternoon. He is making himself very available to listen to people and to interact with them. As a result we missed Evening Prayer by the Province of New Zealand, Aotearoa and Polynesia.
There were some receptions this evening, but I opted to stay home and read!
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The Right Reverend Sue Moxley
Observations from the 2009 Anglican Consultative Council in Jamaica
The Right Reverend Sue Moxley
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Backgrounder
- Bishop Sue
- Halifax, NS, Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canada
- Elected Suffragan Bishop, November 2003 and ordained bishop on March 25, 2004. Sue was elected Diocesan Bishop October 20, 2007, and installed to that office on November 23, 2007. In episcopal ministry, Sue particularly enjoys the work with youth and with folks discerning a different call from God for their lives. She values the opportunity to meet with parishioners on Sunday parish visits. She pursues her passion for social justice through participation in a number of ecumenical justice coalitions and opportunities to speak publicly on issues of concern. She is committed to stewardship education, better communication between the Synod Office and the parishes and to the reorganization of diocesan structures.
2 comments:
Some in our Church are in favour of disregarding sexual identity as a criterion for full inclusion in our community. These would hold that sexual identity is of no more consequence than say eye-color, hair-color, or skin color, and would argue for full inclusion of our gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and trans-sexual (GLBT) brothers and sisters; they could be married (in the eyes of the Church) and hold ordained offices like any other persons that have discerned and affirmed a call to these sacraments. Those that hold this position have faithfully examined Scripture within the framework of tradition and reason and have concluded that there is no scriptural warrant which would exclude our GLBT brothers and sisters from full participation in our Church. Those that hold the opposing view, after faithful examination of Scripture within the framework of tradition and reason, have concluded that there is scriptural warrant which would limit the participation of our GLBT brothers and sisters. Those that hold this position conclude that the sacraments of marriage and ordination are only available to those with a heterosexual identity, or those who do not the full express their GLBT identities. This issue has been the cause of much pain and division within our Church for decades or longer and is also the presenting issue which threatens schism within the worldwide Anglican Communion at present. At its heart this is an issue of authority. It is a question of how we resolve the opposing conclusions reached by parties, all of whom have faithfully engaged in the conversation between Scripture, tradition, and reason. I believe that if we continue faithfully and with humility and charity in these conversations we will find and be granted the authority of living the agape that God calls us to. I believe that if we end this conversation and invoke authority as the language of power and division we limit the possibilities of living this vision.
+Sue claims:
"Campaigns on behalf of one party or another were not appreciated by
anyone and mainly create backlash. (There is a constant barrage of
information on Gay and Lesbian people here including a demonstration as
we exited from the hearing on the Scripture.)"
... to which I respond that a 'constant barrage' would not be necessary if there were not a continuing and equally fervent 'constant resistance' and in many ways, a constant attack from the anti-gay forces within the Communion.
david watts
in fredericton
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