Saint Andrew’s Church, Lake Worth, Florida

The Eve of Pentecost IX [August 9, 2003] Canon Richard T. Nolan

WHO WON, WHO LOST AT GENERAL CONVENTION (IS THAT THE RIGHT QUESTION)?

A Momentous Event

You and I are experiencing a momentous event in the history of the Episcopal Church and in the worldwide Anglican Communion. Moreover, it is an extraordinary occasion in the evolution of the Christian Church, in the development of the culture of the United States, in the advancement of Western Civilizations, and, indeed, in the evolution of World civilizations! Despite all the implications of recent Vatican statements, in spite of related utterances of this nation’s President, and in the face of dire threats of schism from opponents, the election of Canon Gene Robinson (a gay, partnered man) as a bishop for New Hampshire, was ratified this past week by the triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church.

Additionally, the authoritative General Convention agreed that dioceses conducting same-sex blessings are operating within the Church’s boundaries of doctrine and discipline. However, some interpret the statement as only an acknowledgment that same-sex unions are being blessed in local dioceses -- not an endorsement. In any case, it was decided that while liturgies blessing same-sex unions are celebrated in some parts of the Episcopal Church, the church as a whole is not ready to authorize creating common liturgies for such services. This was a compromise decision designed as a gesture to the conservatives who are deeply grieved by the approval of Canon Robinson’s election.

The Anglican Way

The Anglican Communion includes 38 autonomous Provinces located throughout the world. Each Province, such as The Episcopal Church in the United States, is independent. Each is linked together within a common fellowship with the Archbishop of Canterbury of the Church of England. The Archbishop has no jurisdiction over the Provinces, and there is no governing body of the Anglican Communion. Traditionally, each Province enacts it own policies without waiting for a consensus among worldwide Anglicans. For example, the ordination of women remains a contentious practice lacking international Anglican consensus. For five hundred years the “Anglican Way” has upheld the centrality of Scripture, has honored tradition, has reasoned carefully, and has borne in mind the ongoing experiences of the human community; this traditional “Anglican Way” is to proceed cautiously and prayerfully, and to agree to differ among ourselves. Mainstream Anglicans regard truth as constantly evolving, as new knowledge informs and enriches our faith. Customarily, Anglicans experience fundamental unity in our common Baptism and in our corporate acts of worship, particularly the Holy Eucharist.

Preservers and Pioneers

Among Anglicans are faithful “preservers,” who emphasize the maintenance of traditional views for the sake of “orthodoxy.” Predictably, there is diversity among preservers, most of whom are able to agree to differ. With a contrasting emphasis are faithful “pioneers,” who are persuaded that virtually all human explanations are evolving. As one would expect, there is diversity among pioneers, who also agree to differ.

However, right-wing preservers are particularly resistant to change. These committed Christians prefer absolute, unambiguous, godlike certainties, which they believe they clearly discern. Armed with what they regard as The Truth, they are incompatible with the “Anglican Way,” because they cannot agree to differ. Within their worldviews, all right-wing preservers normally have a caste system of enemies, outsiders, and groups that they regard as inferior, even evil. For example, sexually expressive, partnered, homosexual men and women are among the lowest in their systems. Even celibate gay people are regarded, not as a variation among humans, but as gravely defective. In times of perceived, rapid societal change or instability, this type of authoritarian, aggressive mentality is a magnet for people needing security and closure on life issues. Their religious institutions prosper, because, in their view, God has revealed their comforting convictions. Consequently, they do not need to explore or justify their black and white positions. As one right-wing, religiously active, national political leader said two years ago “I know what I believe and I believe what I believe is right.” Right-wing, radical preservers are fearful that any refinement of their belief structure will collapse their fragile world. Among the devout preservers at General Convention was this type. Among world-wide Anglicans and in some Christian denominations this right-wing, preserving style has become their mainstream. The decisions of General Convention, indeed, the directions of our nation’s judicial system regarding homosexual people, terrify many extremist preservers in our citizenry; the evolving Constitutional implications regarding the rights and responsibilities of all citizens (including women, gay people, and racial varieties) are violations of what they “know” is God’s Truth. Therefore, periodic backlashes against their list of adversaries, including many gathered here tonight, can be expected.

Wise As Serpents

Jesus words come to mind: “See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) As citizens and churchpeople, we need strategies that over time can win the hearts and minds of as many people as possible, including moderate preservers. In all honesty, I am not very hopeful that right-wing preservers can be moved. Hard-hearted Nazis could not be won over by loving Jews; devoted KKK adherents are not likely to change their attitudes toward their selected enemies. Their views are non-rational and desperately held.

As a tactic for the further evolution of gay related issues, and in the spirit of Jesus’ counsel to be “as wise as serpents,” I am convinced that the public behavior of gay people needs some self-examination. Is it in our best interest to encourage a conforming, stereotypical outrageousness on center stage? Of what benefit to us is sexual recklessness? As Christians (and Jews, I would add), don’t we agree that in every aspect of our lives we are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, all our souls, and with all our minds, and that we should love our neighbors as ourselves? Are heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual Christians supposed to look the other way and endorse all expressions of sexual behavior, including exploitation, dishonesty, and bodily harm? Without becoming rigid “moralists,” without sacrificing our fundamental integrity as individuals, and without sacrificing our privacy, you and I need to reflect on the very limited public images of gay and lesbian people. In short, we need increased, sophisticated marketing.

A Defining Moment

We have arrived at the beginning of a defining moment in the Episcopal Church and beyond. It is a moment not of winning or losing, but one of exceptional evolution. Yet, there is much to accomplish within the Church, our nation, and globally. Hopefully, recent court and Episcopal Church decisions indicate a wholesome trend of inclusiveness in church and state. In our various daily lives, however, the implementation of these policies have a longer way to go. Associations (such as Compass, Lambda Legal, the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council, and the Human Rights Campaign) focus on effective social activism.

As far as I know, St. Andrew’s Parish with Integrity–Palm Beach is the only Episcopal Church (and perhaps the only mainstream Christian Church) in this region, which has had the courage to declare publicly our inclusivity of people of all sexual orientations. We are a pioneering people of God! Our unique contribution here is worship of the one God who provides the nourishing bread of life that comforts us, strengthens us to cope, heals our spirits, and provides us with the courage to be and to “think and do those things that are right.” For this Spirit and fellowship, thanks be to God!