At this Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting there to judge me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law you order me to be struck?’ Those standing nearby said, ‘Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?’
And Paul said, ‘I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, “You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.” ’
[Acts 23]I must admit that I admire Paul's humility, correcting himself from the very Scriptures with which he corrects others...
A few highlights:
First, from the national website: the official text of the Primate's address can be found here.
I took a few notes during his address, which I will review and compare with the official text from anglican.ca when I get a chance.
Some excerpts from the official text:
The theme for this 38th General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada is "Draw the Circle Wide." It is from a song by Bishop Gordon Light, and is consistent with the intention of the Lord of the Church to draw all people to himself. Since Christ was lifted up from the earth the circle of his love has grown ever wider through the centuries, now encompassing every continent and island on the planet. And from our beginnings as Anglicans our circle has grown ever wider -- geographically certainly, as we are now present in 164 countries of the world, but also spiritually, culturally and socially. From the time of the Elizabethan Settlement we have been an inclusive Church, holding together the convictions of both Puritans and Episcopalians in a single ecclesial body...
Certainly one of the most difficult items for our discernment will be the question of how to proceed on the issue of same-gender relationships. Related to it are other questions. One is the deeper question of how Anglicans receive and understand Scriptures in the light of modern scholarship and contemporary experience. Another is how our decisions will impact our sister churches in the Anglican Communion. And beside that is a question as to the nature of the Communion, and the appropriate relationship between provincial autonomy and global interdependence.
Another way of putting that is, how do we wish authority to be exercised or limited within our family of churches? And perhaps most important, how will our decisions witness to the Good News of God in Jesus Christ for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters within the Church and outside it. There are of course many other questions to consider in the hard work of discernment over this issue. We are taught that the first principle of moral theology is obedience to conscience, and I ask each of you to embrace that principle, and with it the ethic of respect for the conscience of those who disagree with your own. The second principle of moral theology is to inform your conscience to bring it, if possible, into line with the teaching of the Church. And here careful listening using the Anglican approach of Scripture, Tradition and Reason will be helpful.
At the end of the day, when decisions are made, they will not be unanimous. Differences will remain, but the unanimous opinion of the Theological Commission (and of many other sources) is that the question of same-gender blessings should not be a communion breaking issue. So the alternative to that is that in keeping with a long Anglican tradition, we make room at the table for those whose views we do not share. For the table is the Lord's and not our own. And it is He who invites us to share the life that is offered there for the sins of the whole world.
"The unanimous opinion of the Theological Commission (and of many other sources) is that the question of same-gender blessings should not be a communion breaking issue."
Umm... hello? Where have these people been for the past 4 years? It IS a communion breaking issue. The break has already happened!!
Posted by: Ellie in T.O. | June 20, 2007 at 08:26 AM
Ellie - I think he means "in Canada"; basically, whatever happens, you should still pay your diocesan apportionment! Interesting how he says Anglicans are in 164 countries, but neglects that it could be 163 after this weekend.
As for the primate, I'm praying for one with a backbone this election. Everything I've heard from him seems lighter than fluff.
Posted by: alex | June 20, 2007 at 09:10 AM
I too hope for a New Primate with Backbone. However, none of the front-runners fit that bill, at least from an orthodox perspective. Victoria would have us believe that, but she is a closet liberal at worst, and a wishy washy centrist, who believes that schism is a greater sin than setting aside scripture and ordination/consecration vows.
So, I am hoping and praying that a strong liberal will get the Primacy of Canada. Then the rest of the church will have no excuse for wallowing is never-never land and hoping for some miracle to give the church some sanity.
The Primates have drawn the line in the sand, and now is the time of decision. Choose now whom you will serve.
Posted by: Barclay Mayo (ACiC) | June 20, 2007 at 06:12 PM