Friday 15 January 2016

Primates2016

Too early to have  reflected enough on the outcome of Primates 2016 and make any wise or astute observations - simply time to reflect on a feeling of intellectual and emotional numbness at the endless process of discernment that the Church subjects itself to: Progress towards inclusive ministry irrespective of gender has taken a generation and more, progress towards informed understanding and acceptance of the nature of gender and sexuality feels like it might take the church another generation - which may be too late.. the pews might be empty and gone by then.

And no-one knew what to hope for from Primates2016 - but if you had asked me a decade or so ago where I thought we might be by now, then my answer might have been as follows:
 
That we would see something like:

 Resolution 26x - Church and LGBT+ individuals
The Anglican Communion upholds monogamy as God's plan, and as the ideal relationship of love between husband and wife; nevertheless we recommend that LGBT+ individuals who respond to the Gospel and are within or wish to join the Anglican Church may be baptized and confirmed with their partner and children and enjoy full sacramental fellowship on the following conditions:
(1) that the LGBT+ individuals shall promise to be faithful to their partner so long as they both are alive;
(2) that the receiving of such LGBT+ individuals has the consent of the local Anglican community;
(3) that such LGBT+ individuals shall not be compelled to put away any existing partner at the time of conversion;
(4) and recommends that provinces are encouraged to share information of their pastoral approach to Christians who are LGBT+ individuals so that the most appropriate way of pastoring them can be found, and that the ACC be requested to facilitate the sharing of that information.

 - given that Lambeth Conference 1988 came out with the following:

 Resolution 26 - Church and Polygamy
This Conference upholds monogamy as God's plan, and as the ideal relationship of love between husband and wife; nevertheless recommends that a polygamist who responds to the Gospel and wishes to join the Anglican Church may be baptized and confirmed with his believing wives and children on the following conditions:
(1) that the polygamist shall promise not to marry again as long as any of his wives at the time of his conversion are alive;
(2) that the receiving of such a polygamist has the consent of the local Anglican community;
(3) that such a polygamist shall not be compelled to put away any of his wives, on account of the social deprivation they would suffer;
(4) and recommends that provinces where the Churches face problems of polygamy are encouraged to share information of their pastoral approach to Christians who become polygamists so that the most appropriate way of disciplining and pastoring them can be found, and that the ACC be requested to facilitate the sharing of that information.