Split identities, divided loyalties?

http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/index.php/comments/split_identities_divided_loyalties/

[Global South Anglican] 6 June 2008--This paper is written in an attempt to understand the forces coalescing around the issue of human sexuality as many of the bishops of the Anglican Communion prepare for the 2008 Lambeth Conference. I shall attempt to tease out and then offer some reflections on the main issues and influences that I believe come to bear upon the issue of homosexuality within the Anglican Communion.

At the outset, it should be noted that the 1998 Lambeth Conference was clear in its commitment to uphold the traditional, biblical teaching of the Christian Church on the issue of human sexuality [1] . Since the 1998 Lambeth Conference, Gene Robinson, an openly gay man, has been consecrated as Bishop in The Episcopal Church (TEC). This has generated a flurry of activity across the whole Communion. In subsequent publications, addresses and articles [ii] , the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Primates have sought to uphold resolution 1:10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference as expressing the mind of the Communion on the issue. Clearly, that resolution was not seen by everyone as the last word and the issue has not been laid to rest. In fact, it is still polarising the Communion, dividing it into the global North, which supports the ordination of actively homosexual people and the blessing of same-sex relationships; and the global South [iii] which opposes both. [iv] As the 2008 Lambeth Conference approaches, it is also clear that intense lobbying is going on behind the scenes and positions have already been taken. Indeed, the absence of 108 bishops from the 2008 Lambeth Conference [v] will mean that important voices will not be heard, assumptions will then be made and victories may well be claimed, probably on both sides. In spite of the absence of the GAFCON Bishops, Lambeth 2008 still provides us with an opportunity to explore, together, the issues that divide us. This will be painful.