More on Lambeth

Fr. Bojangles has some astute observations on the politics behind the actions in Lambeth on Wednesday and Thursday of this week (see "Autonomous until...."). While you're on Fr. Bojangles' blog, read Update, which reproduces the full text of a pastoral letter from Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold.

Shorter version: the "conservative" element in the church perceives the ordination of Canon Robinson as "unilateral ignorance of positions taken by the Communion at previous Lambeth Conferences." Presiding Bishop Griswold would make two points in his pastoral letter: (1) the consent to the ordination of Canon Robinson "does not settle the questions concerning human sexuality" (2)the resolution regarding "the blessing of same sex unions is not about approval but rather the acknowledgment that there are a variety of pastoral practices within our common life."

For an even-handed over-view of Biblical verses which are considered to address the issue of homosexuality, I direct you to this essay by Stephen Bates, the religious affairs correspondent for The Guardian.

On the whole, I feel slightly more hopeful after reading Fr. Bojangles' entry. We need not have an irrevocable schism over this matter — as much as the AAC may desire it — so long as we can maintain a respectful dialogue.