Anglican Conflict

Religion New Service documents the conference of 1000 conservative Anglicans in Jerusalem. They have taken steps to disassociate themselves from Anglican Churches who espouse liberal views such as ordaining of women and gays, and blessing same sex unions. I don't think I would be accused of being a conservative by many, but I found one comment very instructive. Bishop Martyn Minns of Virginia asked the question in an NPR report, "What are they going to do to us?" He noted that we do have freedom of religion.

I would make two points. There is no way to challenge the operation of one's Church without challenging it. As I have said on other ocassions, unless you let yourself be heard, no one will know that you disagree with what is going on. Acquiescence is really not acceptable if one feels that an issue warrants speaking out. Organizing for protest and resistance is necessary at all levels of laity, clergy, and heirarchy. The power to make change is there, but like minded people need to come together to force the issue. Of course financial pressure is always an important tool.

Secondly, and really more importantly, it is time to pursue a big tent posture. Maybe that's why I have some sympathy for the conservative Anglicans. The Church needs to be big enough to include those of varying positions. Condemnation and ostracism brings no one closer to God. Church communities can be in union with the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Pope of Rome and have different operational procedures. A Church that doesn't want to ordain women doesn't have to, as long as they respect the right of other communities to do so if they choose. There is no reason why those who want a Latin Mass cannot coexist with other parishes, or parish members, who prefer more modern worship. Of course there are non negotiable core issues, like maybe the Nicene Creed. But, too often the issues are not truly doctrinal, but relate more to power and control. The goal should be to help people come in contact with God and grow in union with His or Her love and mercy. As my previous blog entry noted, there is more than one route to the truth. We can do better, and we can be better Church, of whatever denomination.