May 31 News Update

Bishop Rodney Andrews of Saskatoon moderates a discussion at the April Canadian House of Bishops meeting

(Photo: Solange de Santis, Anglican Journal)

Strange Bedfellows

In the run-up to General Synod 2007, John Oakes explores recent developments in Canada.

Representatives of radical conservative and lesbian and gay activist groups seemed united in their opposition to the May 1 "Pastoral Statement" from the Canadian House of Bishops (HOB) at presstime(Statement from the Canadian Bishop May 2007 - pg. 2), each claiming that General Synod 2007 should take more decisive action over the issue of the blessing of same-sex unions at its forthcoming meeting in Winnipeg, June 19-25. This unusual coalition was predictably divided over other matters. But it apparently concurred in rejecting the bishops' request of Synod (and the Canadian Primate) that a further three-year process of study and consultation be devoted to

1. "The theological question whether the blessing of same-sex unions is a faithful, Spirit-led development of Christian doctrine
2. The implications of the blessing of same-sex unions and/or marriage for our church and the Communion
3. Scripture's witness to the integrity of every human person and the question of the sanctity of human relationships."

According to the May 12 "Newsletter" of the Anglican Network in Canada, "what is most interesting about the HOB statement is that others have interpreted it as indicating that the House of Bishops is actually 'backing off' from proceeding with same-sex blessings as a policy of the A[nglican] C[hurch of] C[anada]." But this was not good enough for ANiC. Based on the unsubstantiated claim that the world's Primates, who said nothing about the ACC in their Dar es Salaam Communiqué of February 19, 2007, were expecting similar "clarity" about its position by September 30 as from the Episcopal Church of the U.S., the ANiC noted that it had been "pushing for clarity from the General Synod in June. Such a lack of clarity," it continued, "only promotes confusion and chaos in the church and will ensure that the ACC 'walks apart' from the Anglican Communion."

Members of Integrity Canada, "a national network of organizations and friends working toward the full inclusion of gay and lesbian people in the life of the Anglican Church of Canada," meanwhile expressed similar disappointment with the Canadian bishops' statement in a media release of May 4. According to Donald Meen, a clinical psychologist and member of the Diocese of New Westminster, who was quoted in the Integrity release, "what is being presented as pastoral response seems more an attempt to derail and subvert timely and necessary discernment by the whole Church at its General Synod....The statement of the House of Bishops reflects precisely what is not required at this time in the Anglican Church of Canada," Meen continued. "Those who are genuinely interested in study of the issues around the place of gay and lesbian members of this Church have done the work over the past 30 years since the bishops first encouraged us to study this....It is disingenuous to suggest that more study is needed."

May 31 News Update pg. 2

home

(This page is maintained by Rev. Dr. John Oakes and Kirsten Oakes .)