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| Rose Hassan, Interim Missioner, Elizabeth Kaeton and Lyn Headly-Deavors, past Missioners of The Oasis |
The Oasis was shocked and saddened by the decision of "an overwhelming
majority" of Primates to attempt to punish The Episcopal Church for the
changes made to our canons to allow full access to the sacramental life
of the church for everyone - including marriage equality.
The pain of the intent to exclude touches the pain of the long history of the exclusion many of us have felt in our families, church, society and the world.
However, we remember that in 2005 a decision was made by the Primates to isolate The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada which demanded our withdrawal from "all other official entities of the Anglican Communion."
Then, as now, the Primates had no authority to make that decision - they are only one of four Instruments of Communion. The authority for legislative action rests with the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC).
In 2005, the ACC declined to enact that decision of the Primates. Instead, the Episcopal Church was asked to refrain from being seated on key governing committees of the ACC. We were allowed voice but no vote for a period of three years.
We do not know how the ACC will respond to the Primate's most recent actions when they meet in April. We do know that our representative to that body, the Rev'd Gay Jennings, President of the House of Deputies, is planning to attend.
We know that the ACC will be under enormous pressure from the Primates to authorize their stated "consequences" for The Episcopal Church.
We pray that the members of the ACC will come to understand the inefficacy of the "ecclesiastical time out" which was imposed on The Episcopal Church from 2005-2008. Our Presiding Bishop and Primate, Michael Bruce Curry, was very clear with his brothers that our church will not be reversing our decision.
Indeed, we know that several other provinces - Canada and Brazil among them - are poised to change their canons to include marriage equality.
Will the Primates impose "consequences" on every province that makes this stance? Will they try to dis-empower and silence anyone with whom they disagree?
We pray that our LGBTQ sisters and brothers - here and around the world and in those very provinces of these Primates - will find solace in the words of Mark Beckwith, our Diocesan Bishop, who wrote:
The Board of The Oasis
Newark, NJ
Further reading:
Archives of ENS 2005 Anglican Consultative Council
The Primates Statement
The Presiding Bishop's Statement
The Statement from the President of the House of Deputies
The Statement from our Diocesan Bishop
The Statement from the No Anglican Covenant Coalition
Primates' Decision Puzzles Communion Watchers
Primates Ruling Non-Binding Says Canon Lawyer
More information can be found at our Web Page: The Oasis
The pain of the intent to exclude touches the pain of the long history of the exclusion many of us have felt in our families, church, society and the world.
However, we remember that in 2005 a decision was made by the Primates to isolate The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada which demanded our withdrawal from "all other official entities of the Anglican Communion."
Then, as now, the Primates had no authority to make that decision - they are only one of four Instruments of Communion. The authority for legislative action rests with the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC).
In 2005, the ACC declined to enact that decision of the Primates. Instead, the Episcopal Church was asked to refrain from being seated on key governing committees of the ACC. We were allowed voice but no vote for a period of three years.
We do not know how the ACC will respond to the Primate's most recent actions when they meet in April. We do know that our representative to that body, the Rev'd Gay Jennings, President of the House of Deputies, is planning to attend.
We know that the ACC will be under enormous pressure from the Primates to authorize their stated "consequences" for The Episcopal Church.
We pray that the members of the ACC will come to understand the inefficacy of the "ecclesiastical time out" which was imposed on The Episcopal Church from 2005-2008. Our Presiding Bishop and Primate, Michael Bruce Curry, was very clear with his brothers that our church will not be reversing our decision.
Indeed, we know that several other provinces - Canada and Brazil among them - are poised to change their canons to include marriage equality.
Will the Primates impose "consequences" on every province that makes this stance? Will they try to dis-empower and silence anyone with whom they disagree?
We pray that our LGBTQ sisters and brothers - here and around the world and in those very provinces of these Primates - will find solace in the words of Mark Beckwith, our Diocesan Bishop, who wrote:
"I take a large measure of comfort in the primates’ unanimous desire to continue to “walk together”. That says to me that there is a widespread recognition that we need to stay in relationship. That across the Anglican Communion we can acknowledge difference and disagreement – and still be in relationship with one another through the living Christ whose reach knows no bounds."We also pray that we may be inspired by our Presiding Bishop who reminded us that we are Jesus People and we are part of what he calls The Jesus Movement. He said,
"And the truth is, it may be part of our vocation to help the Communion and to help many others to grow in a direction where we can realize and live the love that God has for all of us, and we can one day be a Church and a Communion where all of God’s children are fully welcomed, where this is truly a house of prayer for all people. And maybe it’s a part of our vocation to help that to happen."In the days and months and years ahead, may we learn to walk together, even when some of us are at a different pace and others of us walk with a limp – and may the prophetic ministry to which we have been called gain in strength and wisdom and grace.
The Board of The Oasis
Newark, NJ
Further reading:
Archives of ENS 2005 Anglican Consultative Council
The Primates Statement
The Presiding Bishop's Statement
The Statement from the President of the House of Deputies
The Statement from our Diocesan Bishop
The Statement from the No Anglican Covenant Coalition
Primates' Decision Puzzles Communion Watchers
Primates Ruling Non-Binding Says Canon Lawyer
More information can be found at our Web Page: The Oasis
4 comments:
Note to capital -P Primates,
Simple truths, apparently anathema
to you, but true: the Christ we follow, hope for,
serve, has no use for your oppressive dogma,
no need for princelings of hateful metaphor
demanding obedience without a thought
for the real message of human decency
in that Golden Rule so early, often taught
to small -p primates, each, all and every
included in our Creator's boundless love,
but not your club, your hierarchy of power
that needs a below to set itself above,
needs crushed bone to build its bully tower.
We will go on believing as we believe,
your words just empty posturing of men small,
of no consequence to the God we receive
in acts of kindness and communion with all.
We are unmoved by the tantrums and pouting
of so-called authority shivering in
exposure to its own ignorant shouting.
Yet we pray for forgiveness for your selfish sin.
Sincerely,
the rabble you would dismiss
from the table
Thank you, Marthe. Well said, as always.
I was about to write a comment wondering why/how the Christian religion has evolved from one simple man with one simple message to something so political and so complicated. Then I read Marthe's comment and just smiled.
Still, as an outsider, one does wonder why 'the rabble' needs the institution, the hierarchy of power? Certainly you could live your life in accordance with your covenant without the constant frustration of the political, powerful institution? Is the juice worth the squeeze?
Of course we could, but where else would we find as much fun? Or, drama? Heartache? Or joy? The church, when it works is a marvelous mystery. When it doesn't it's a terribly mystery. Even so, God still reigns. Jesus still loves. And, the Holy Spirit still kicks us in our arses and drags us along on the road to find Truth.
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