+ Victoria Matthews letter to clergy

Note to self:  as we consider the views of our bishops, our first response must be to uphold them in prayer.

UPDATE: 7  +David Ashdown, Keewatin:  pastoral letter

UPDATE : 6  +Anthony Burton, Saskatchewan, has a letter posted here.

UPDATE; 5  +Claude Miller, Fredericton, has a pastoral letter:  link here

[excerpt]:  An editorial in the Winnipeg Free Press at the close of General Synod said "Canadian Anglicans took a hesitant, ambiguous step toward expansion of gay rights on the weekend." The editorial attributed our hesitancy to our desire to preserve the unity of a communion that includes "African and Asian branches [that] condemn homosexuality."

I challenge that stereotype. Our African and Asian churches no more speak with one voice than our Canadian church does, or our own diocese does for that matter. General Synod agreed with the St. Michael Report that blessing same-sex unions does not conflict with core doctrine of the Church and voted against granting permission for each diocese to make its own choice about blessing such unions.

We will continue to struggle with this issue because it is complicated and difficult, but to make it simple would be disrespectful.

UPDATE: 4  + Ralph Spence, Niagara;  press release;

News Releases:

A Message from Bishop Ralph and Bishop-elect Michael regarding the defeated motion on same-sex blessings at General Synod

Dear Friends,

Today, two important resolutions came before the General Synod of our Church.  The first proposed ýthat the blessing of same-sex unions is not in conflict with the core doctrine (in the sense of being creedal) of the Anglican Church of Canada.ý  This motion passed.

The second, proposed to affirm the authority of a synod and its bishop to allow rites for the blessing of committed monogamous same-sex unions.  It passed clearly in the Order of Laity and in the Order of Clergy, but was narrowly defeated in the Order of Bishops.

We share in the profound sense of loss that many in our churches will experience in the wake of this decision, especially gay and lesbian Anglicans along with many of their family and friends.

Please be assured of our prayers and of our commitment to press forward in faith towards an ever more welcoming and inclusive church.

+Ralph, Bishop of Niagara

The Venerable Michael Bird (Coadjutor Bishop-elect)

UPDATE: 3  +Terry Buckle, Yukon, & Archbishop: Scott from Magic Statistics has his letter here

UPDATE: 2 +Derek Hoskin, Bishop of Calgary, writes his diocese: pdf here .

UPDATE: +Colin Johnson, Bishop of Toronto, writes his diocese:  here is the pdf.

+ Victoria Matthews, Bishop of Edmonton, has circulated a letter to her clergy.  It is also intended that a copy will be published in local media.

June 28, 2007

Dear Clergy,

The reporting about the resolutions voted on at the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod has been confined to resolutions 186 and 187, both of which are narrowly focused on the blessing of same -sex unions,  In actual fact, there was a very interesting development at our Synod which showed remarkable consistency and faithfulness.

Early in the Synod we were asked to vote to accept the Canadian response to the Windsor Report on relations within the Anglican Communion.  Rather than signing on without question, the Canadian response is nuanced and carefully scripted.  We voted that belonging to the Anglican Communion matters to us and we are committed to the ongoing conversation.

Next on the agenda was the St. Michael Report by the Primate's Theological Commission.  Asked to give a theological opinion on whether the blessing of same-sex unions is a matter of doctrine, the answer was a clear "yes" but not of core doctrine.  It was explained that core doctrine, sometimes called dogma, speaks of who God is and God's saving activity.  In short it can be said to speak of the doctrines of the Holy Trinity and of the Incarnation.  This core doctrine is the content of the Apostles' and Nicene creeds.  Thus the Report concludes that the blessing of same-sex unions would be a matter of doctrine but it is not so important as to warrant schism.  (It should not be communion breaking.)  This resolution also passed easily.

Next came a series of resolutions about process.  An attempt was made to require that resolutions 186 and 187 be deemed to have passed only if the received a 60% majority.  However at this point tin the proceedings there was considerable confusion about the voting procedure requirements.  It is possible people did not know what was being voted on.  Whether they understood or not, the resolution to require 60% failed and a simple majority was now required for resolutions 186 and 187.

Resolution 186 states that the blessing of same-sex unions is not in conflict with the core doctrine of the Anglican Church of Canada.  In other words the blessing of same-sex unions is not in the conflict with the proclamation of God as the Holy Trinity and as the Word made flesh.  As one bishop later commented, even the most conservative African primate should be able to agree with that.  This resolution passed by a slim majority.

Lastly, in an atmosphere that seemed more like filibuster than debate, a resolution was presented and passed asking the Primate's Theological Commission and Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee to prepare a report and educational materials in advance of 2010 General Synod about whether the blessing of same-sex unions is a faithful, Spirit-led development of the doctrine of marriage.  Remember, the St. Michael Report said the blessing of same-sex unions is a matter of doctrine but until now no one has been asked to try to actually develop a doctrine of same-sex unions.  It also asked for a theological rationale to accompany the new Canon 21 on marriage, which is come before General Synod 2010.

in short, the Anglican Church of Canada General Synod consistently demonstrated that it is more interested in considering redefining marriage than continuing the debate about blessings.

The outcome of these various resolutions is that our Primate stays at the table of the Primates' meetings; it afford full membership to our Anglican Consultative Council members; and it allows time for further theological reflection at all levels of our church, including all bishop of the Anglican Communion at next year's Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England.

In addition to the above, pastoral provisions provided by the Bishop's Letter of April 30th, 2007 ensures further inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of the Anglican Church of Canada.

In Christ
+ Victoria
Bishop of Edmonton
Anglican Church of Canada

If any other Canadians know of Bishops' responses, I 'm sure it would be helpful to gather them together as we pray and think through where the Spirit is leading the Church.

This letter in Download letter_to_clergy.pdf

Comments

[Donald]

The letter seems to overlook the confusion created by the vote on 187.

[Peter]

One thing that seemed clear to me is that there are as many opinions on 186/187 as there are people.

[Matt]

Last time I checked there were three creeds accepted by the church - now it seems core doctrine in the sense of being creedal does not include all three?

There are a few more primary doctrines in the creeds (even with just two) than the Trinity and the Incarnation.

[Erin]

Bishop Hoskin has sent a pastoral letter to all the clergy of the Diocese of Calgary similar to Bishop Matthews. The key sentence: "I think that I can safely say that no one in the Anglican Church of Canada, nor in our Diocese, will
be entirely happy with what GS2007 has done. GS2007 has said Yes to the blessing of same sex unions but No to the implementation of it at this time. In keeping with the decision of GS2007, the National House of Bishops has maintained the moratorium on the blessing of same sex unions."

The letter isn't on the diocesan website yet but I imagine it will be after it is read in churches this Sunday.

[Tim]

A lot of spin going on here, I think.

[Matt]

Is that the letters that are spinning, or we commentators?

[Scott Gilbreath]

Archbishop Terry Buckle has written a letter to the clergy of the Diocese of Yukon. Here's a bit:

The resulting consequence of the voting results of these resolutions leaves many with a sense of confusion and uncertainty as we seek to keep together and work together as a church over the next three years until General Synod 2010. Our church is hurting, it feels torn, people are weary of the matter and in the days ahead we will see how the rest of the Anglican Communion reacts to these resolutions of the Anglican Church of Canada.

The full text is posted here.

[kelz]

thx for collecting & posting the letters. very interesting to date. i feel, however, that i'm seeing a lot of spin-doctoring/PR/postioning etc going on as the bishops have now returned home to their people.