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Posted on 10/12/2003 5:50:36 PM PDT by UnklGene
Williams 'gambles' to heal division over gays -
By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent (Filed: 13/10/2003)
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will attempt to prevent the acrimonious collapse of the worldwide Anglican Church at a crisis summit on homosexuality this week by gambling on an appeal to the middle ground.
To placate the conservatives, who are threatening a mass walkout, he will uphold the Church's traditional ban on gay marriages and the ordination of active homosexuals, despite his more liberal private views on the issue. But Dr Williams will resist pressure to expel the liberal American Episcopal Church over its decision to appoint Anglicanism's first openly active homosexual bishop.
According to insiders, he will argue that final decisions about how to deal with liberals who have stepped out of line should be deferred, despite demands by conservatives for immediate action.
The Archbishop could hardly be playing for higher stakes: if the conservatives walk out and set up a rival Church, they could take well over half the 70 million-strong Communion with them and destroy its credibility as an international denomination.
But if the American liberals go their own way, he could lose the wealthiest part of the Communion and huge credibility among his own supporters in England and abroad.
In an appeal to the moderates, the Archbishop will insist that, as he is merely the "first among equals" among his fellow primates, he has no papal-style powers to expel a province.
Such a decision could be taken, however, by a body such as the Anglican Consultative Council, whose membership includes clergy and lay delegates and which could meet in a year's time.
Dr Williams is also expected to argue that the primates need more time to create a mechanism for collective decision-making in the Communion to prevent such a crisis occurring in the future.
The Archbishop's diplomatic skills will be put to the test when the primates - the heads of the 38 autonomous provinces which make up the Communion - gather at Lambeth Palace for a two-day meeting on Wednesday.
The conservatives are furious with the Episcopal Church for defying the views of the vast majority of Anglicans by confirming the appointment as Bishop of New Hampshire of Bishop-elect Gene Robinson, who is divorced and has lived with his male lover for 13 years.
They want Bishop-elect Robinson to withdraw before his consecration next month, just as Canon Jeffrey John, another gay cleric, was forced to step down as Bishop of Reading earlier this year.
They also want disciplinary action taken against the Canadian diocese of New Hampshire, the liberal bishop of which has authorised blessings for same-sex unions. The liberals argue, however, that they have not contravened any world-wide Anglican laws because such laws do not exist.
The Lambeth Conference, which reaffirmed traditional Church teaching on homosexuality in 1998, has moral but no legal force, and they believe that the Communion should permit diversity.
Dr Williams, who has to hold the ring between the opposing sides without any real power, said last week that he was "hopeful rather than optimistic" that he will be able to avert one of the biggest catastrophes in Anglican history.
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I read a book in the early 80s, about how all the mainline churches have written precepts that directly contradict the Bible. The worst offenders were the Catholics, who I can hardly consider Christian. But alas, also my Southern Baptist cong had many errors as well. Although I have modified my views about denom churches, I still believe that the vast majority are in error in many areas. If you want the most accurate walk with Him, an independent Baptist or Pentecostal congregation will be the best. There are of course isolated exceptions to that, but they are very, very few in number.....
I tend to agree in that I prefer independent, non-denominational churches, and that a lot of denominations are ridden with dogma, but it's not really fair to say that mainline denominations are into accomodating the world. Sure, it's an unfortunately common sight, but I have attended Southern Baptist, Methodist, and Anglican churches that were TOTALLY into Christ and had a real heart for reaching out to people.
"Subscribing to no religion" is, like it or not, a religious viewpoint. What gives you the idea that your religious viewpoint is the only one allowed in public life? It's certainly not a conservative notion, now is it?
Look to your own churches, as you could also fall into the trap of those who are currently having difficulties.
It is not very helpful to throw stones at those who are trying to stand up to evil. I would think you would be encouraging traditional Episcopalians, rather than mocking them.
Actually, you just did.
I have belonged to the same church for over a quarter of a century - when it begins to teach doctrine contrarty to THE WORD OF GOD as in the BIBLE - I will be out the door very fast!
I am simply pointing out that NO denomination or non-denominational church has the corner on error-free theology. ALL can fall into error, as I have seen happen with a non-denominational church in my area.
I simply think it is best not to criticize Episcopalians who are doing the best that they can. And I also don't think that saying that if your parents and grandparents went to the same church that you do you are automatically in error. When YOUR granchildren go to your church, will you suddenly feel that you are in error?
HUH?
Frankly, I just pray that my grandchildren find the LORD! Anywhere!
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