Homosexuality In The Anglican

Within the Anglican churches, the acceptance of homosexuality is being debated. In some churches of the Anglican Communion , bishops openly gay men were appointed or elected, which caused conflicts and threats of disruption or bursting of communion.

The situation in the different churches in communion

Two churches, those of Canada and the United States, stand out from the rest of the Communion by a series of innovations that test the limits of the model of full communion between Anglican churches independent, but linked by organs of consultation and collaboration.

Anglican Church of Canada

In June 2002, after a long process, the Diocese of New Westminster is the first who decided to authorize certain parishes to establish a ritual for blessing same-sex couples. This decision will have a strong media impact and cause the secession of other parishes of the diocese . In 2009, the 76 parishes of the diocese, eight have actually implemented such a ritual blessing.

Meanwhile, Canada has made the legalization of gay marriage , a process completed with the adoption of a federal law in 2005. Two years later, the General Synod of the Anglican church deals with the question: a motion asserts that the rite of blessing of same sex couples "does not conflict" with church doctrine. However, another motion to recognize the right of dioceses to implement such a rite is defeated.

Since then, three other synods, diocesan passed resolutions similar to that of the Diocese of New Westminster. For the dioceses of Montreal and Ottawa, the bishops concerned have wished for prior consultation on a national before giving their consent. Instead, the bishop of Niagara has established such blessings .

Episcopal Church USA

Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire in 2005.

Shortly after the appearance of the first blessings of gay couples in Canada, the Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA) in turn will pose a new problem in the Anglican Communion. On June 7, 2003, a priest living openly gay couple, Gene Robinson , was elected to fill the seat of Bishop of New Hampshire. After heated debates, the election is confirmed in August at the convention of the Episcopal Church .

In the period between the appointment of the new bishop of his consecration, discussions extend to the entire Anglican Communion. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams convened a special meeting of primates of the Communion, including the presiding bishop of ECUSA, Frank Griswold. In a joint statement saying they "deeply regret" these developments, and proclaim that "no one has authority to unilaterally introduce a new teaching as if it was that of the entire Communion" . Despite this, Gene Robinson will be effectively spent three weeks later by the Presiding Bishop Griswold, putting the Communion in a sustainable way to the edge of schism .

At the same convention, another controversial measure is taken: the tolerance of the implementation at local level, liturgies celebrating and blessing the unions of same sex .

In an attempt to preserve unity at the following convention (2006), the Episcopal Church agreed to establish a moratorium of three years on the appointment of homosexuals to the episcopate. At its expiration at the convention of 2009, however, this moratorium is not renewed. The principle of the ordination of homosexuals was adopted, as well as the blessing of same-sex couples. The possibility of a rupture of the Anglican Communion is clearly envisaged. In a move to change allegiances called realignment , dissident groups are organizing to leave the ECUSA and start a competing church, CASA ^, . It is currently seeking to be recognized by the Communion, or even to supplant the ECUSA and the Anglican Church of Canada.

Relations between Anglican churches tend to more with the consecration of a woman living in gay couple too, Mary Glasspool , in May 2010. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, had vainly called the Episcopal Church to avoid any act of division, but the new presiding bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori , overrides, having previously said it will spend bishop any person whose election was follow the rules ^, .

The Episcopal Church created a new precedent when the bishop of Massachusetts , Tom Shaw, conducts the marriage of two women members of the clergy of this church during the day of the year 2011. The state of Massachusetts having legalized gay unions in 2004, Bishop had announced in November 2009 that he would accept "all marriages solemnized" in his diocese. This controversial action occurs while the guns and forms of ECUSA still say that "marriage is between a man and a woman," even if it is asked to "offer a generous pastoral response to the needs of members church "in states where the court allows same-sex unions .

Church of England

Rowan Williams in 2007. Perceived as "pro-gay" before his election, his personal opinions seem more complex and seeks above all to maintain the dialogue between different parties.

Although it has only a rule of honor, the presence of the Archbishop of Canterbury , spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion, said the attention shown towards the situation in the Church of England by the rest of the communion. Since 2003, the date of the election of Rowan Williams , known to favor a better integration of faithful homosexual has been some polarization between groups of differing opinions , although there were no comparable initiatives to those observed in the United States or Canada.

A crisis was narrowly averted as early as spring 2003, with the announcement and subsequent withdrawal of the appointment of Jeffrey John as Bishop of Reading, with the support of the Bishop of Oxford Richard Harries. Jeffrey John, openly gay and an activist for this cause, had lived since 1976 in fact a relationship with another member of the clergy, said that although the relationship was platonic. Faced with a wave of protests from his church and the rest of the Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury is obliged to do to impose Jeffrey John's withdrawal. The case illustrates the importance attached to the wing evangelist in the Church of England, enabling effective lobbying, including in financial terms . Other groups, however, argue strongly for a change in doctrine on homosexuality, as Affirming Catholicism.

The Church of England is the only one of the Anglican Communion to enjoy the status of state religion , which gives more impact to the interventions of the legislature. Thus, in February 2011, a draft permit for religious celebrations civil partnerships (restricted form of union of homosexuals) is raising protests from several prominent clergy, including Archbishop of York John Sentamu. This authorization may indeed open the door to litigation against the clerics who refuse to celebrate . The Archbishop of Canterbury tries to obtain an explicit exemption for religious communities that refuse this type of ceremony .

African Anglican Churches

Some African churches are opposed to homosexuality so unanimous, as some cultures of Africa, which often identify homosexuality a "white practice". Bishop Peter Akinola has strongly opposed gay ordinations and female, and this disagreement has led the Anglican Communion at the edge of schism.

But for example Desmond Tutu Mpilo Anglican Archbishop of South Africa inclusive position, he said in an interview with the BBC on 18 November 2007 "If God, as They Say, IS homophobic, I would not worship God That." that can be translated as "If God is homophobic I do not believe in God."

The situation in the Anglican Communion

The Lambeth Conference of 1998

At the Lambeth Conference (decennial gathering of bishops of the Anglican Communion) in 1998, fell a resolution on human sexuality. It promotes fidelity in marriage, abstinence for those who are not called. It states that "homosexual practices are incompatible with Scripture," while condemning "irrational fear of homosexuals" .

The Lambeth Conference of 2008

Notes

Related articles

• Anglicanism , Anglican realignment
• Homosexuality in Christianity
• Gene Robinson

• LGBT portal
• Protestantism portal

Leave a Reply