Time for Some Specificity
Only Anglicans could argue that clarity clouds the issue.
Yet that’s the ode to vagueness some are reciting when it comes to Windsor resolutions. The argument seems to be: If we’re too specific about how we react to Windsor, we’ll never agree on anything. So, let’s embrace our ambiguity.
There’s nothing wrong with a little fuzzy AnglicanSpeak. It can be uniting in a church with significant differences on fundamental issues, particularly as time runs out on this Convention. But there are limits.
If we want to be true to ourselves, open to the views of others, and faithful to the spirit of Windsor (not to mention the Gospel), we need to keep focusing on the priorities:
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Express regret for the breach in Communion relations that was caused in part by the perception that our church acted unilaterally in consenting to the election of Gene Robinson.
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Forego any new consents to the election of candidates for bishop who are involved in sexual relationships outside of monogamous, heterosexual marriage until there is greater consensus on these issues in the Communion, or at least until the 2009 General Convention. The same goes for any consideration of liturgical changes to bless same-gender unions. The wording we use on candidates for bishop should avoid focusing exclusively on gays and lesbians, by referring to the normative model for sexual intimacy—monogamous, heterosexual marriage. Those who claim that singling out such candidates on a temporary basis is too high a price to pay are, in essence, rejecting a key call of Windsor: the moratorium. Three years is not too long, particularly since such a temporary moratorium would allow our Church to test the waters of consensus at the 2008 Lambeth Conference, and to engage fully in the Communion listening process.
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Insist that uninvited bishops who cross diocesan boundaries obey the rules. Building trust in the Communion depends on respecting the authority of bishops. It also depends on bishops supporting a program of Designated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight for alienated church members. Windsor has justly praised our church’s DEPO program for setting the right balance on these matters.
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Reaffirm our embrace of gay and lesbian members of the church, and remain mindful of the burdens our actions will place on them. This is not a patronizing pat on the back. It’s a declaration of love and good faith in a contentious time.
That’s it – no more, no less. Let’s get on with it.
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