Split in Episcopal Church would lead to Chaos, says Griswold
The Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church has rejected the suggestion by Global South primates that the Church be split into two churches as a means to solve the dispute over gay issues.
by Maria Mackay
Posted: Friday, September 29, 2006, 9:14 (BST)
The Presiding Bishop of the 2.4 million-member U.S. Episcopal Church Frank T. Griswold has rubbished the recent proposal by Global South bishops that the Church be split into two churches to resolve the dispute over gay issues.
Bishop Griswold said Thursday that any such split in the U.S. Episcopal Church would lead to chaos.
He further commented that the communiqué issued on September 22 from Kigali, Rwanda, by the conservative bishops "raises profound questions about the nature of the church, its ordering and its oversight".
Leaders of 20 Anglican provinces at the Global South Primates meeting last week released a communiqué on Friday commending conservative leaders in North America for their "faithfulness" and proposing a separate orthodox Anglican structure in the United States.
Since the 2003 consecration of New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson, an active homosexual, the Episcopal Church - the U.S. Anglican arm - has remained divided and many conservative leaders believe a division is inevitable. The Rt. Rev. John H. Rodgers, a bishop with the conservative Anglican Mission in America, has added that conservative U.S. churches are looking to form a separate Orthodox Anglican province as an alternative to the Episcopal Church.
Bishop Griswold, who supported the consecration of Robinson, stated his belief in a formal response posted on Thursday by the Episcopal News Service, that "such a division would open the way to multiple divisions across other provinces of the Communion, and any sense of a coherent mission would sink into chaos".
He also accused the conservative bishops of attempting with the release of the statement to undermine the dialogue and discussion that had been underway since the Windsor report, sentiments which echoed those of the Archbishop of Cape Town who came out Sunday to distance himself from the communiqué.
"...there is no doubt that the tensions within the Anglican Communion, arising from actions within North America, raise serious and problematic concerns for our future," said Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane in the statement. "Yet I am deeply disturbed by the tenor of our approach, as reflected in this communiqué."
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Added: Saturday, September 30, 2006, 13:37 (BST)
We all have our personal sin to repent for, to deal with. In that light I can't judge homosexuals, rather I can only love them with the love of Christ. However, we must not allow homosexuals to rip pages out of Holy Scripture just to fit their sinful life style. The ordination of the homosexual woman was a full frontal attack on the validity of Scripture. There is no gray area here. And it doesn't matter what I think, or how I "feel." The Word is quite black and white.
Brian Cole, Lansing, Mi.
Added: Saturday, September 30, 2006, 13:31 (BST)
When we continue to label homosexuality as sinful (are we talking about the orientation or behaviors?), we also fail to see the real sin disease in North America, namely, we are possessed by our possessions. They own us. Our attachment to wealth is a sin so pervasive that we can hardly recognize it.
Fr. Joseph Neiman, Paw Paw, MI
Added: Friday, September 29, 2006, 18:28 (BST)
Of course Frank Griswold's comments are right that it would be tragic if the Anglican Communion split, but then there can be only so long this confusion can go on for. If the church does not stay in true "Communion" there in essence is no Anglican Communion. So how long will this facade go on for? Sooner or later a decision has to be made - will Rowan Williams have the courage and conviction to do what is write when the time comes?
Chris Plunkett, Cardiff, Wales
Added: Friday, September 29, 2006, 16:22 (BST)
Homosexuality is a sin - it is clear in the Bible. When you accept and compromise with sin it leads to the destruction of your spirit. The Episcopal Church U.S.A. is leading the Anglican Church this way. Don't get me wrong - gay or non gay, all should be accepted into the Church, but the channel to receive God fully is repentence for our sins, and homosexuality is one among many of these sins. The Church of England must stand up against this distortion of the Gospel and love of God.
Abraham Brown, London, England
