Njongonkulu Ndungane is the Archbishop of Cape Town, and one of the Anglican primates meeting this week in Britain regarding the current crisis in the Episcopal Church. He’s considered one of the more liberal primates, unlike many of his other brethren from Africa. This article, on Honesty and openness in dealing with difference is fundamental. I am dismayed that if Gene Robinson and Jeffrey John had been less honest, their appointments might have gone unremarked. It is no secret there are gay priests and bishops: I fear the institutional Church’s ability to turn a blind and hypocritical eye. Christian maturity requires honesty from us all.
There is another honesty I would like to see more in evidence. That is a moral honesty that gives priority to the most pressing issues of God’s world. Why is it so easy to expend our energies on internal rows instead of focusing on God’s mission to the needy and poor “at our gate”? We cannot allow ourselves to be endlessly diverted from tackling such complexities as poverty, HIV/Aids, homelessness, international debt, fair trade, war and peace.
When the sheep and goats are separated, I hardly imagine Jesus will discuss our stance on “the gay-bishops debate”.
I hope such moral honesty will help us escape the impression that the Church is obsessed with sex, and that sexual sins are the only ones that matter. I doubt that any of us can claim not to be a “persistent sinner” either, whether it is a life-long inner struggle, or the callousness, even intrinsic theft, of buying cheaper rather than fairly traded products — not to mention the sin of factionalism. We are all called to grow into holiness, not into a holier-than-thou attitude.
One disagreement I have with Archbishop Ndungane’s stand — and that of many who defend the General Convention, Gene Robinson, and the general idea of accepting and blessing gay relationships — is that I feel the “we are all sinners” argument does not hold water. Acceptance, let alone formal recognition and blessing, of gay relationships is, in fact, the opposite, a denial that it is a sinful act or state. Acknowledging that God forgives our sins in this context implies that Gene Robinson should be seeking such forgiveness. I think that’s incorrect, both in its implication and in its morality. Unless we are speaking from the perspective of a Pauline “It is better to marry than to burn” regarding all sexuality, to suggest that it’s okay to ordain gay bishops because, well, we are all sinners, is, if nothing else, highly insulting.
Still, the Archbishop’s words on how this issue should be far less than the unity-breaking matter that it has become is worth remembering. I hope it is remembered in Lambeth this week, as are these words:
I hope the Primates will begin where the report ended: “The challenge to our Church is to maintain its unity while we seek, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to discern the way of Christ for the world today with respect to human sexuality. To do so will require sacrifice, trust and charity towards one another, remembering ultimately the identity of each person is defined in Christ.” We are not defined by our sexuality.
Being defined in Christ means we irrevocably belong together. That is why the process of sharing in prayer and worship and testimony is so important in revealing what binds us to one another (and why division impoverishes and weakens the body of Christ).
(via Blinne)
I have an update on the situation here. The conservatives appear to not take the compromise. I think the Cape Town Archbishop recognizes that the position where everybody must believe homosexuality is or is not sinful means schism. As such, I believe he is within the Anglican tradition of via media.
The current developments in the Episcopal Church are not necessarily as painful and tragic as they are being portrayed. For several decades, the liberals within the denomination have had free reign, and traditional Christians have seen our faith ridiculed and degraded in the name of a militant secular and political orthodoxy. Again and again, we have given in and allowed ourselves to become passive.
Now that time has ended. The schism has already begun, and nothing can stop it. This is an exciting time – not a time for weeping and wailing. For decades, since the heretical antics of another Bishop Robinson forty years ago, the Anglican church has allowed heretics to frolic, and any attempt at discipline or even question them was met with accusations of “legalism”. Tolerance has been transformed into a word that includes absolutely everything; even broken and sinful sexual behavior is now paraded as a symbol of righteousness. There is no discussion of healing or redemption – only the sentimentality and tantrums of those who would replace Christian morality with worship of the instinct.
The only question now is: Will the traditionalists keep moving towards the creation of a new denomination, or will we cave in to liberal demands? This is a wonderful opportunity.
I’m glad you find this such an exciting time, and the breaking away from your correligionists so wonderful an opportunity! Because, after all, after being ridiculed and degraded for several decades (since the 1930s, I guess), and tormented by antics and frolic, it’s about time you strke out and take back what’s yours! It’s either them or you, win or lose, victory or defeat! Hurrah!