UPDATED: see below, including Chicago Consultation
Reactions from evangelical, conservative Episcopalians/Anglicans and others to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Reflections on the actions of The Episcopal Church General Convention actions for full inclusion of gay, lesbian, and transgender persons in the life and ministry of the church:
David Ould, an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Sydney, Australia, writes at his blog:
The tragedy of this reflection is that ultimately there is nothing new. It’s just same old, same old. The Communion is no better off for what Williams has written. Nothing has changed. TEC and the Canadian church are still left to their own devices and the institutions of the Communion remain ineffective to stop them. Once again, Williams has not given us a way forward but simply described the options available. But we already knew them.
Fulcrum, an evangelical Anglican site hosts a forum of responses to Archbishop Williams essay:
On first reading, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s response to General Convention is very clear, wise and helpful. ~Graham Kings
It’s also worth pointing out that Williams’ approach is clearly designed to encourage reform in the Episcopal Church rather than punish it.” If so then is it not, after all the water that has passed under the bridge, incredibly na?ve? Who honestly believes that TEC will reform? Is that even a seriously considered outcome of all this? ~David Ould
First of all, the Reflections … is offensive to partnered gay clergy already in this Church of England by telling them that they cannot represent the Church. Thus, if there was honesty and integrity all around, there would be mass resignations and evictions. Secondly, the argument is tortured (again) and contradictory, and indeed comes to nothing. I have commented on this side of the matter, because if this can be buried, then the theological/ ethical argument about homosexual people in ministry can be better addressed. ~The Pluralist
Nashotah House Theological Seminary Dean and President, Dr. Robert Munday writes from the conservative point of view:
Regarding the Archbishop’s delay in issuing his response, I have no doubt that he has spent most of the past ten days laboring and consulting with trusted advisers on this statement. It might well be the defining statement of his career. But when it comes to the actual effect this statement might have on the Communion he is supposed to lead, the saying that comes to mind is, “The mountain labored and brought forth a mouse.” The statement is thoroughly considered, carefully crafted, finely nuanced–and, in the end, says very little and accomplishes even less.
When a sizable majority in both houses of the Episcopal Church’s General Convention passed resolutions ending restraint in the matter of consecrating non-celibate homosexuals to the episcopate and agreeing to provide a “generous pastoral response” (i.e., blessing marriages) for gay and lesbian couples, it was not a matter of making empty statements. There are real bishops and deputies who are coming away from the General Convention intending to act on those resolutions.
There is nothing in Rowan Williams’ statement that would deter those in the liberal camp from acting on those resolutions; and his words are cold comfort to conservatives who have been deeply wounded by their passage, and who will be further wounded and alienated when their intent is carried out.
Peter Ould, chair of Redeemed Lives UK, enthuses Rowan Williams has made “an absolutely unequivocal endorsement (for the moment) of the traditional theology on sexual activity and a conservative biblical anthropology.”
Nicholas Knisely thinks it’s all about Rome.
Thinking Anglicans has updated links to reactions. TA has an even more recent update here.
More reactions here.
UPDATE:
Interfaith Voices reports on radio here.
The Chicago Consultation responds:
In his statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke to the entire Communion, including provinces in parts of the world where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people face serious criminal penalties and even death. We hope and pray that the Archbishop’s strong condemnation of prejudice against GLBT people, and his call to penitence for our inconsistencies on these issues, will embolden Anglicans across the world to stand against hatred and discrimination when they encounter it in their midst.
Read it all below:
CHICAGO, IL., July 28, 2009–The Chicago Consultation released this statement from its co-convener, Ruth Meyers, in response to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s reflections on the Episcopal Church’s General Convention. Meyers is the Hodges Haynes Professor of Liturgics at Church Divinity School of the Pacific:
During General Convention, the Episcopal Church was pleased to welcome many international visitors, including the Archbishop of Canterbury. We are glad that he felt generously welcomed and are grateful that he experienced first-hand the Episcopal Church’s deep and abiding commitment to the worldwide Anglican Communion.
In his statement, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke to the entire Communion, including provinces in parts of the world where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people face serious criminal penalties and even death. We hope and pray that the Archbishop’s strong condemnation of prejudice against GLBT people, and his call to penitence for our inconsistencies on these issues, will embolden Anglicans across the world to stand against hatred and discrimination when they encounter it in their midst.
We also urge all Anglicans, including the Archbishop, to regard the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in the body of Christ as nothing less than a Gospel mandate and a requirement of our baptismal vows. To understand this issue as simply one of civil liberties or human rights—to which the Gospel also calls us—does grave injustice to our sisters and brothers in Christ and our fundamental understanding of baptismal theology.
The Archbishop raises important questions about how the Anglican Communion can best structure itself and continue to develop Anglican doctrine. The Episcopal Church has a long, albeit imperfect, history of developing theology and doctrine to support fully including women, people of color, and GLBT people in the life of the church. We can contribute this valuable experience to the Communion, and we look forward to working together with our fellow Anglicans around the globe as we continue discerning God’s call for our common life and mission.
The Chicago Consultation, a group of Episcopal and Anglican bishops, clergy and lay people, supports the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians in the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion. We believe that our baptismal covenant requires this.
The Chicago Consultation believes that, like the church’s historic discrimination against people of color and women, excluding GLBT people from the sacramental life of the church is a sin. Through study, prayer and conversation, we seek to provide clergy and laypeople across The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion with biblical and theological perspectives that will rid the church of this sin.