Corrected
epiScope has it here: A Response to Questions and Concerns Raised by our Anglican Communion Partners
Update Episcopal News Service now has it also, at House of Bishops response ‘to questions and concerns raised by our Anglican Communion partners’.
House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church
New Orleans, Louisiana
September 25, 2007
A Response to Questions and Concerns Raised by our Anglican Communion Partners
In accordance with Our Lord’s high priestly prayer that we be one, and in the spirit of Resolution A159 of the 75th General Convention, and in obedience to his Great Commission to go into the world and make disciples, and in gratitude for the gift of the Anglican Communion as a sign of the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work of reconciliation throughout the world, we offer the following to the Episcopal Church, the Primates, the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), and the larger Communion, with the hope of “mending the tear in the fabric” of our common life in Christ.
“I do it all for the sake of the Gospel so that I might share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9:23
Introduction
The House of Bishops expresses sincere and heartfelt thanks to the Archbishop of Canterbury and members of the Joint Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates for accepting our invitation to join us in New Orleans. By their presence they have both honored us and assisted us in our discernment. Their presence was a living reminder of the unity that is Christ’s promised gift in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Much of our meeting time was spent in continuing discernment of our relationships within the Anglican Communion. We engaged in careful listening and straightforward dialogue with our guests. We expressed our passionate desire to remain in communion. It is our conviction that The Episcopal Church needs the Anglican Communion, and we heard from our guests that the Anglican Communion needs The Episcopal Church.
The House of Bishops offers the following responses to our Anglican Communion partners. We believe they provide clarity and point toward next steps in an ongoing process of dialogue. Within The Episcopal Church the common discernment of God’s call is a lively partnership among laypersons, bishops, priests, and deacons, and therefore necessarily includes the Presiding Bishop, the Executive Council, and the General Convention.
Summary
Discussion
Resolution B033 of the 2006 General Convention
The House of Bishops concurs with Resolution EC011 of the Executive Council. This Resolution commends the Report of the Communion Sub-Group of the Joint Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates of the Anglican Communion as an accurate evaluation of Resolution B033 of the 2006 General Convention, calling upon bishops with jurisdiction and Standing Committees “to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.” (1) The House acknowledges that non-celibate gay and lesbian persons are included among those to whom B033 pertains.
Blessing of Same-Sex Unions
We, the members of the House of Bishops, pledge not to authorize for use in our dioceses any public rites of blessing of same-sex unions until a broader consensus emerges in the Communion, or until General Convention takes further action. In the near future we hope to be able to draw upon the benefits of the Communion-wide listening process. In the meantime, it is important to note that no rite of blessing for persons living in same-sex unions has been adopted or approved by our General Convention. In addition to not having authorized liturgies the majority of bishops do not make allowance for the blessing of same-sex unions. We do note that in May 2003 the Primates said we have a pastoral duty “to respond with love and understanding to people of all sexual orientations.” They further stated, “…[I]t is necessary to maintain a breadth of private response to situations of individual pastoral care.”
Episcopal Visitors
We affirm the Presiding Bishop’s plan to appoint episcopal visitors for dioceses that request alternative oversight. Such oversight would be provided by bishops who are a part of and subject to the communal life of this province. We believe this plan is consistent with and analogous to Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) as affirmed by the Windsor Report (paragraph 152). We thank those bishops who have generously offered themselves for this ministry. We hope that dioceses will make use of this plan and that the Presiding Bishop will continue conversation with those dioceses that may feel the need for such ministries. We appreciate and need to hear all voices in The Episcopal Church.
Incursions by Uninvited Bishops
We call for an immediate end to diocesan incursions by uninvited bishops in accordance with the Windsor Report and consistent with the statements of past Lambeth Conferences and the Ecumenical Councils of the Church. Such incursions imperil common prayer and long-established ecclesial principles of our Communion. These principles include respect for local jurisdiction and recognition of the geographical boundaries of dioceses and provinces. As we continue to commit ourselves to honor both the spirit and the content of the Windsor Report, we call upon those provinces and bishops engaging in such incursions likewise to honor the Windsor Report by ending them. We offer assurance that delegated episcopal pastoral care is being provided for those who seek it.
Communion-wide Consultation
In their communique of February 2007, the Primates proposed a “pastoral scheme.” At our meeting in March 2007, we expressed our deep concern that this scheme would compromise the authority of our own primate and place the autonomy of The Episcopal Church at risk. The Executive Council reiterate our concerns and declined to participate. Nevertheless we recognize a useful role for communion-wide consultation with respect to the pastoral needs of those seeking alternative oversight, as well as the pastoral needs of gay and lesbian persons in this and other provinces. We encourage our Presiding Bishop to continue to explore such consultation in a manner that is in accord with our Constitution and Canons.
The Listening Process
The 1998 Lambeth Conference called all the provinces of the Anglican Communion to engage in a “listening process” designed to bring gay and lesbian Anglicans fully into the church’s conversation about sexuality. We look forward to receiving initial reports about this process at the 2008 Lambeth Conference, and to participating with others in this crucial enterprise. We are aware that in some cultural contexts, conversation concerning homosexuality is difficult. We see an important role for the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) in this listening process, since it represents both the lay and ordained members of our constituent churches and so is well placed to engage every part of the body in this conversation. We encourage the ACC to identify the variety of resources needed to accomplish these conversations.
The Lambeth Conference
Invitations to the Lambeth Conference are extended by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Those among us who have received an invitation to attend the 2008 Lambeth Conference look forward to that gathering with hope and expectation. Many of us are engaged in mission partnerships with bishops and dioceses around the world and cherish these relationships. Lambeth offers a wonderful opportunity to build on such partnerships.
We are mindful that the Bishop of New Hampshire has not yet received an invitation to the conference. We also note that the Archbishop of Canterbury has expressed a desire to explore a way for him to participate. We share the Archbishop’s desire and encourage our Presiding Bishop to offer our assistance as bishops in this endeavor. It is our fervent hope that a way can be found for his full participation.
Justice and Dignity for Gay and Lesbian Persons
It is of fundamental importance that, as we continue to seek consensus in matters of human sexuality, we also be clear and outspoken in our shared commitment to establish and protect the civil rights of gay and lesbian persons, and to name and oppose at every turn any action or policy that does violence to them, encourages violence towards them, or violates their dignity as children of God. We call all our partners in the Anglican Communion to recommit to this effort. As we stated at the conclusion of our meeting in March 2007: “We proclaim the Gospel of what God has done and is doing in Christ, of the dignity of every human being, and of justice, compassion and peace. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ there is no Jew or Greek, no male or female, no slave or free. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God’s children, including women, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ’s Church. We proclaim the Gospel that in Christ all God’s children including gay and lesbian persons, are full and equal participants in the life of Christ’s Church. We proclaim the Gospel that stands against any violence, including violence done to women and children as well as those who are persecutive because of their differences, often in the name of God.”
________________________________________
(1) The Communion Sub-Group noted that “the resolution uses the language of ‘restraint’, and the group noted that there has been considerable discussion since General Convention about the exact force of that word. By requiring that the restraint must be expressed in a particular way—’by not consenting…’, however, the resolution is calling for a precise response, which complies with the force of the recommendation of the Windsor Report.” The group also noted “that while the Windsor Report restricted its recommendation to candidates for the episcopate who were living in a same gender union, the resolution at General Convention widened this stricture to apply to a range of lifestyles which present a wider challenge. The group welcomed this widening of the principle, which was also recommended by the Windsor Report, and commend it to the Communion.”
Good. The position is as the position was. It was what was required. The ball is in the court, and the response is awaited, and already beginning.
MEDIA STATEMENT LESBIAN AND GAY CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT 25th September 2007 The House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church in the United States of America has issued a statement today 25th September 2007 The Revd Martin Reynolds of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement said: “Our disappointment with the American Church was profound when their General Convention outlawed gay bishops in 2006, that disappointment has now been reinforced.” “But we believe this attempt to suck up to the homophobes will come to nothing. They have already decided not to believe anything the leaders of TEC say and are quite happy to… Read more »
For those of us who have been deeply concerned that the ECUSA, a Church with which we are in Communion and to which we feel the strongest ties of kinship, may have been painting itself into a corner, this comes as a great relief. It shows the unequivocal commitment of the American Church to remain at the table in a patient listening process without backing down on essential points of principle. It now remains to be seen whether the communion’s conservatives are similarly committed.
I may be missing something here, but it seems to me the first point reads “We agree that we have been asked not to ordain active gays,” not “We won’t ordain active gays.” The fact that everyone agrees as to what BO33 means doesn’t mean that they’ve agreed to abide by it.
I am grateful to the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops for the clarity of its statement and its willingness to work for inclusion of gay and lesbian people within a world-wide Anglican fellowship held toghether by the bonds of peace.
Bishop Robinson should not longer be excluded from full participation at Lambeth. Nor should foreign bishops intefere any longer in the American Episcopal Church.
In light of the onerous burden placed on them by the Primates, this is a good compromise response of a legislative body structurally similar to the U.S. Senate in its polity.
The response actively tries to maintain integrity of all bishops, yet respond as fully as possible to the Primates. The job is monumental, the result will satisfy few, and please God maintain the Anglican Communion.
I would like to know if the rest of the Church is willing to reciprocate and promise not to consecrate any candidates whose manner of living poses a challenge to ME.
There are quite a few conservative bishops who I really don’t approve of- does this statement mean I can object to their consecration? Can anyone in the entire Anglican Communion veto a candidate bishop just because you don’t agree with them?
Time for some letter-writing campaigns!
Does not seem like anything much new – does it?
We all know TEC(USA) wants delays, hoping to talk everyone to death without TEC repenting in any way.
We all know TEC(USA) will not say unequivocally that it stands by VGR and the decisions it made in 2003 – because it is “playing the long game” i.e. stay in the AC and try to subvert it from within.
But – will Lind drop out of the race for Chicago?
Is it not just a matter of time before we have the next VGR, regardless of BO33?
The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church has gone as far as they can go to accommodate the ultra vires demands of foreign prelates. Indeed, many will believe that they have gone too far in accommodating these demands.
But wait. And watch.
Those who have been slavering after schism will inevitably declare that this does not go far enough.
Wait. Watch.
And pray.
The reporting, thus far, on Radio 4 has made no mention of things other than the question of the ordination of openly (could also be described as ‘open and honest’) gay priests to the episcopate. There is a lot more in the statement. I hope that the BBC’s editorial decision to ignore so much is not mirrored by the Anglican Communion as a whole – and the Primates in particular. Having blackmailed TEC(USA) I trust that Dr Williams will enforce order upon those who break Anglican polity by ordaining openly ‘incursive’ bishops!
NP – Matthew 18:21-22 “Then Peter came and said to him, ‘Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven* times.” You aren’t honestly proposing to damn the TEC on the suspicion of what they might do in the future? Malcolm – I fear you may be right. The HoB statement clearly agrees not to consecrate actively homosexual clergy, and not to authorize same sex blessings. I suspect that “not consenting to the consecration” and “not to… Read more »
Revelation 6:8-11 “Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth. When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them… Read more »
I can’t agree with LGCM’s blanket denunciation.
Speaking as a lawyer, it is a good resolution. That’s because it
– only reconfirms that the 2006 resolution is as stated. It does not *require* bishops to decline the election of gay and lesbian priests. Nothing is legislated.
– pledges that no *public rite* of blessing will be authorised, but allows for private rites.
– stands up for the civil rights and dignity of gay and lesbian people.
– seeks to make bishops accountable in their listening.
– is solemn and conscientious. No one can dismiss it as merely political.
It seems to me that this is the previous position extended, which was what was required. The ball is in the court of others now, for their responses, and they can either be positive, or they can carry on with their rhetoric and even do what they say they were going to do.
“I would like to know if the rest of the Church is willing to reciprocate and promise not to consecrate any candidates whose manner of living poses a challenge to ME.”
Apparently not! Notice how no-one objects in the least to someone preaching, say, sacramental heterodoxy. It’s only WRT gay people that there can be any objection.
And, NP, do you really not know what’s wrong with this sentence:
“But – will Lind drop out of the race for Chicago?”
I agree with Chris Tyack’s summary, with one point: `no public rite of blessing’ is time-limited as well, ie it could (how easily?) change.
What I like is that this gives them time to make their cases further. Now *use* that bought time…
I agree with NP (that was hard to type) that TEC is playing the long game. I agree that TEC hasn’t offered to repent, because we don’t feel that there is any need to repent. I wouldn’t agree that we are trying to subvert the AC. Rather, we are trying to perfect it. I agree with Malcolm+ (easier) that the bishops did what they could. Their hands were tied because changes in policy have to come through the General Convention (2009). Conservative bishops didn’t even respect the HOB meeting enough to stay until the end. They should be sent packing.… Read more »
The biggest problem that our some of our Anglican partners have with us is that in our part of the Church, unlike their Arch-Episcopal polities, and the Curial polity of Rome, our bishops are more like the bishops of the early church. They are not mere middle managers answering to the higher-ups. Here no bishop can tell another bishop what to do. This is why Pike (in the past)and currently Spong and Iker and Duncan and others have never been brought up on charges no matter how outrageous their statemente or actions. Our bishops can and do say the most… Read more »
Following on Walt’s comment: The outcome of General Convention 09 is certain to be effected by the actions of the Global South and their alies in the US and Great Britian. If the incursions continue, if an alternative Anglican presence in the US comes to fruition, if the Lambeth Conference in ’08 repeats the behavior of ’98, I suspect the General Convention in ’09 will be inclined to do just as you say. All the power politics being applied against us is reducing our inclination and need to compromise. One wonders if this isn’t part of the long range plans… Read more »
Sp-Iker-land is already in the process of secceding from the Union, according to a release from its ‘toe-the-line of Jack Leo’ Standing Committee.
This has all been about power, played out through playing games with language, by trying to make things mean what one wants them to mean, rather than what they say. For example, the matter of repentance. The Windsor Report never called upon TEC to repent of consecrating Gene Robinson Bishop of New Hampshire. TEC was called upon to repent for causing distress because of the consecration of Gene Robinson. TEC has done this, several times. Nevertheless, Anglican conservatives have wanted to make the words of the Windsor Report MEAN that TEC must repent of the consecration of Gene Robinson. So… Read more »
Ford – you do realise that TEC has elections for its bishops, I am sure. You and I would not recommend this – since it is not biblical – but that is what they do! Walt – I have to say I agree with LGCM on this statement (also hard to type!) because the bishops have chosen to try and stay in the AC at the cost of saying that they stand by their decisions made in 2003…..they have let down LGCM. Ford, I mention Lind in Chicago because the TEC HOB have just put her in an awkward position…..quite… Read more »
“You and I would not recommend this – since it is not biblical – but that is what they do!” Bless the Lord oh my soul! As my Methodist Grandmother used to say. I answered this elsewhere, but is it Biblical to give the monarch the choice? Come on! Do you have any idea how bishops are chosen elsewhere in the world? Where does the Bible tell us HOW to choose a bishop? What to look for, yes, but how to do the picking? As to Biblical, NP, Normal up! You know very well that I will not automatically oppose… Read more »
Stephen comments: “the response will come “we said to forbid and rescind such consecrations and blessings” . . .’ Of course, there is nothing in Dromantine, nothing in Windsor and nothing even in Dar es Salaam which talks about either forbidding or rescinding. jnwall is quite correct in his analysis that the “conservative” position is based on a rewritten history in documents are taken to say those things which the “conservatives” want them to say, regardless of whether the documents in question said those things or not. jnwall refers to “Orwellian doublespeak.” There is a technical term from moral theology… Read more »
“Ford – you do realise that TEC has elections for its bishops, I am sure. You and I would not recommend this – since it is not biblical – but that is what they do!” Please point me to any Biblical citation that says specifically, “Thou shalt not elect thy bishops”. Indeed, point me to any Biblical citation on exactly how bishops ARE to be chosen. Don’t point me to something in Acts or the letters, say, where we are told how a particular leader was chosen…that’s just an example of a method, not a prescription on how to do… Read more »
jnwall makes an excellent argument. For example “…The Windsor Report never called upon TEC to repent of consecrating Gene Robinson Bishop of New Hampshire. TEC was called upon to repent for causing distress…” His/her comments about conservatives overstating cases and ultimates can also be said to apply to Dar Salaam 30 September deadline; which we found out from ABC in New Orleans was not the guillotine line to end discussion but rather a way of prompting further dialogue. Ford, I agree with your sentiments about a reluctant leader is more to be admired than someone who runs and desires the… Read more »
Some passages that might be helpful: Galatians 5:1 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Naham 1:12-13 “…Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be cut off and pass away… Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.” Genesis 27:40 “…when you grow restless, you will throw his yoke from off your neck.” Exodus 6:6-8 the Lord will “…bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from… Read more »
Surely, Ford, you are aware of that passage in Acts which describes how Mattias was selected. It very clearly describes the process whereby the names of Matthias and Joseph (Justis) Barsabbas were submitted to the Emperor by the Crown Appointments Commission.
Ford / Malcolm – I thought you would assume that I would not support the corrupt system in the CofE which gives politicians control of church leaders (and gives us people like Rowan Williams to “lead” the CofE)
The only thing which has made the situation tolerable in the CofE is the independence of incumbents (so, we have not worried about dodgy bishops because they do not really have power to subvert churches which are faithful to the scriptures)
“do not really have power to subvert churches” Now, now, NP, the EHBL plot is active in England too, you know, We’re everywhere, hiding behind the reredos, just waiting to subvert the Scriptures with unChristian ideas like respect, love for one’s fellow humans, that sort of evil. It’s just that the EHBLs in England, being English, are far better at political subterfuge than the blunt somewhat simplistic Americans. Like all British politicians, the English wing of the EHBL plot to destrioy the Gospel is adept at letting you think you are actually choosing your way, but never fear, victory will… Read more »
“Ford / Malcolm – I thought you would assume that I would not support the corrupt system in the CofE which gives politicians control of church leaders (and gives us people like Rowan Williams to “lead” the CofE)”
OK, NP, you’ve told us the two methods of selecting bishops you dislike–the American election and the British political appointment.
What method do you accept as “biblical”? And please provide the Biblical citation that establishes it as the correct one.
Pat – Acts 14-15 should help in how leaders ought to be chosen if we believe the Apostles were led by the Spirit (which I do)
Also, Titus and letters to Timoty – St Paul sets out very clearly what makes people fit to be leaders in the church. I believe his words are inspired by God and still stand
“if we believe the Apostles were led by the Spirit (which I do)” Am I to assume you think the Spirit stopped and went back up to Heaven or something after the last Apostle died? I’ve often wondered why Evangelicals think we need an “outpouring of the Holy Spirit”. I read once on a website where the Anglican parish had posted a notice exhorting people to pray that God will baptise them with the Holy Spirit. I wonder what they thought happened at their baptism. You know, it occurred to me last night that there are a lot of people… Read more »
Yeah, yeah Ford…..yet I am leading groups at which non-Christians are becoming Christians every year – maybe I am not putting people off (given this fact) …….. and maybe it is the image of weirdos with no message or morals and “mend the roof” fundraising always going on which turns people off the church?
Nope, I do not believe the Spirit stopped working…but I do believe that He does not contradict himself, acting in a way consistent with his inspiration of the bible, for example
So you say, NP, but like the old Evangelical catch phrase use to say, if Christianity were a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you? I have no evidence of these large numbers of people you are supposedly “leading to Christ”. All I have to assess is your behaviour here.
“Pat – Acts 14-15 should help in how leaders ought to be chosen if we believe the Apostles were led by the Spirit (which I do)”
And you think it’s impossible that the voters in a TEC episcopal election are equally led by the Spirit? Or did the Spirit stop working in the world sometime in the first century AD…the same way you seem to think God stopped revealing himself to us once the final canon of the Scriptures was decided upon?
NP wrote: “… maybe it is the image of weirdos with no message or morals and “mend the roof” fundraising always going on…”
But then you are leading groups teaching them Alexandrian “morals”; the superstitions and Gnosticisms of the Ancient philosophers, dear NP.
Very little of this in Christianity NP.
Even less of it in the Good Book (and then only in 2nd century pseudo-epigraphs and additions) – and absolutely nothing of it ever in the one Gospel of God’s Righteousness in Christ, as redorded in the 4 gospels.
Better luck next time, NP.
“did the Spirit stop working in the world sometime in the first century AD” This is the thing, Pat. All these Evangelicals praying for the “baptism of the Spirit” or an “outpouring of the Spirit” (see things like Anglican Renewal Movement and Barnabas Ministries), I often wonder what they think is supposed to have happened at their baptisms. It’s a very different ecclesiology, a different understanding of the Kingdom, of redemption, of how God works in the world, and of the Spirit. In the latter case, considering what happens in some places, it’s akin to the emotional experiences in numerous… Read more »
OK, sports fans – I think that this all boils down to two main points. First, Jesus was/is the Son of God and a full partner of the Triune God. He preached a gospel of love and inclusion, not one of ostracism and disdain. Given that He is/was the Son of God, I believe that God trumps O.T. prophet. Second, I believe that Jesus asks us to treat our neighbors as we would ourselves like to be treated. In that context, I think that God put people different from us (in whatever way) on earth in order to see if… Read more »