The Episcopal News Service today carries these reports by Mary Frances Schjonberg
Margaret Swinson elected as Anglican Consultative Council vice chair
A summary of Anglican Consultative Council resolutions
Anglican Consultative Council declines to go along with ‘consequences’
and this Video: Archbishop Welby speaks on human sexuality issues at ACC-16.
The Living Church has this article by Mark Michael ACC Picks Diverse Leaders.
The election of Alistair Dinnie to the ACC standing committee is an encouraging move.
«The Rt. Rev. James Tengatenga, the ACC’s chairman, reminded members of their constitutional mandate to consider “the desirability of achieving (so far as practicable) appropriate regional diversity and a balance of representation between clergy and laity and between the genders.”» We see this so often. Calls to ensure diversity. But not of sexual orientation or gender identity, nor even disability, only gender and (effectively) race (expressed as regional diversity). The church is by no means the only culprit but it really should know better. Either elect the best people regardless or focus on diversity across everything. But to pick out… Read more »
I know that my Scottish friends are highly skeptical, but I think that there might be a sea change. Evidence: 1. the ACC resolutions, which “declines to go along with ‘consequences,'” and takes up more important matters. 2. ++Justin’s address, combined with his frank talk with Robert Mugabe. 3. +Joshiah lifting up TEC as a model for “walking together” rather than a “problem province.” 4. Me and everyone I know wants something new and more hopeful, just, and loving out of the ACC, and it’s past time we get it!!!!!!! What will really be telling is the treatment of the… Read more »
The problem with Justin’s assertion that “it is clear that the majority view is that marriage is between a man and a woman” lies in the implication that – because it’s a majority view worldwide, that worldwide majority view should be imposed as a uniformity on provinces (and indeed, local church communities) where the heterosexual only view does not prevail. The problem does not lie in his open admission of deep differences of views within the communion, but in the attempts of some (including the Primates, and indeed the bishops collectively in England) to impose a uniform conscience on people… Read more »
Has ACC accepted the ‘consequences’ for TEC by “receiving” the report of the Primates’ meeting?
Depends how different people understand the word “receive”.
As reported by ‘Living Church’ here – http://www.livingchurch.org/acc-churns-out-resolutions :
‘The Archbishop of Canterbury told the delegates that he was pleased with this action, saying that Resolution C34 “covers issues we need to cover,” establishing sufficient concurrence between the ACC and the Primates’ Meeting. “The consequences [for the Episcopal Church] stand,” Archbishop Justin Welby said in a news conference Monday afternoon.’
Any clearer?
“What will really be telling is the treatment of the three Jeremy’s and other gay clergy and lay readers when ++Justin gets back.” Cynthia
I don’t know about the other two Jeremys but I can confirm that the Church is continuing to fight Jeremy Pemberton every step of the way.
Susannah, Not clearer. I am beginning to suspect that such ambiguity is deliberate (like the clapping at the start of ACC-16 when nobody was sure what it meant) so that during the meeting everyone thinks they have got their way. Trouble is, it is highly divisive afterwards. I do agree with your observation that quoting worldwide majority views is unhelpful but for a different reason. +Justin gives the impression that doctrine is set by popularity. Thinking about it, that might be the case, but it is a squirmifying concept all the same and one I find hard, in itself, to… Read more »
By St. George, I think he’s GOT IT!
In the future, Welby said, “When I talk to people I am going to be honest. Let’s never pretend that things are other than they are. We are not entirely united on the issues around human sexuality. We have profound and important divisions among us. It’s clear what has been the majority opinion among us. It’s also very clear that, when it comes to criminalization, that we are deeply committed to combatting that in every place where we find it and not supporting those who support it.”
Archbishop Welby said what he had to say regarding the consequences, but he’s not the only interpreter. Here is the situation as far as I understand it regarding the consequences. 1. Remove the two women from TEC who serve on either an ecumenical commission or the faith and order group. That was within the archbishop’s power. He did it. The ACC doesn’t figure in this consequence. 2. No TEC people on the standing committee. None ran. Bishop Ian Douglas thought hard about running for chair, and decided against it. (His letter explaining his thinking is here: http://www.deputynews.org/douglas-letter/). At times during… Read more »
As so often, Susannah is illuminating. As a basis of governing “… it is clear that the majority view is that marriage is between a man and a woman” is just plain silly, and nothing on which to base any kind of genuinely Christian policy. The majority used to favor slavery and feel that left-handedness was bad (my brother was force to write with his right hand, and has never been able to do it easily or fluently since); genius and great talents have never been of the majority… Let us rather do justice to a minority who wish to… Read more »
“I don’t know about the other two Jeremys but I can confirm that the Church is continuing to fight Jeremy Pemberton every step of the way.”
I’m so sorry to hear that, Laurence. I pray for better for you guys and all the LGBTQI members and allies in the Church of England.