By Tom Smith

A parish perspective on the meeting at Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam, Tanzania [From a dispatch by Episcopal News Service] The Primates of the Anglican Communion have called for the formation of a "Pastoral Council" that would cooperate with the Episcopal Church to negotiate structures necessary to facilitate and encourage healing and reconciliation for those [in the Episcopal Church] unable to accept the direct ministry of their bishop or of the Presiding Bishop. The request came in a communiqué issued at the close of their February 15-19, 2007, meeting near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during which the Primates [province leaders] devoted extended discussions of the response of the Episcopal Church's 75th General Convention to the Windsor Report, a document that recommends ways in which the Anglican Communion can maintain unity amid differing viewpoints, particularly about human sexuality. The full text of the communiqué is available at http://www.anglicancommunion.org. "It is clear that despite the subcommittee report, a number of the Primates were unhappy with General Convention's response, and clarification of that response is among the Primates' requests of the Episcopal Church," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, one of the Anglican Communion's 38 Primates, said after their meeting's final business session adjourned at 11 p.m. local time. "There is awareness that these issues are of concern in many Provinces of the Communion, and that the Episcopal Church's charism is to continue to encourage the discussion," said Bishop Jefferts Schori.

A challenging week It was a challenging meeting for the Anglican Communion’s first female to head a province thereof. It was probably no picnic for the other leaders of the Anglican Communion who oppose the ordination of women to the priesthood and for the first time found themselves at the table with a woman who is their equal. Add to this the widely varying views of homosexuality held by different provinces of the Communion and that, to the chagrin of many of our brothers in Christ, our church has consecrated as bishop a homosexual in a public and committed relationship with another man. This might be “angels-dancing-on-the-head-of-a-pin” stuff of Church councils of the highest order, but since the Episcopal Church is one where most members believe the most significant level of work is at the parish level, it’s worth asking: How will the so-called communiqué from Dar es Salaam affect life here at St. Martin’s? The answer seems to be that it is mostly positive for us. The Communion’s leaders focused on Christian values most of us readily agree to. We need to get ourselves behind the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) ourselves and ask our government to use its resources to begin lifting a huge portion of the world’s population from the grip of poverty, ignorance and disease. People (mostly women and children) are dying at an alarming rate, and we need to help. Parish mission unchanged It is timely that St. Martin’s parishioners this Lent have dedicated themselves to learning about and raising much-needed cash for MDG-related projects supported by our church’s efficient and effective Episcopal Relief & Development fund. Nothing has changed about St. Martin’s mission and everyday parish life. Relate to the communiqué How can the communiqué be considered positive for the greater Church and for the Communion? First, it extends a hand to those parishes, dioceses, priests and bishops in the Episcopal Church who feel who want to be “overseen” by a church superior other than the Most Rev. Jefforts Schori or any bishop who supported the consecration of an openly homosexual bishop. The “Pastoral Council” would provide that oversight in conjunction with our Presiding Bishop and others in the Anglican Communion. It is very similar to a proposal already advanced by our Presiding Bishop. This council, if it works, would put an end to “alternative oversight” proffered unilaterally by some overseas archbishops/primates. Property disputes, never pretty, would be headed off. We avoid “schism.” Episcopalians could focus on common worship and common missions as we follow the variety of roads upon which we are directed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Presumably, the parishes and dioceses subject to the council would join us in continued support of Episcopal Relief & Development, the United Thank Offering, and more. We would truly be ONE Episcopalian. Innovation: what now? In addition to promising to stop “poaching” in Episcopal Church territory, leaders from all provinces of the Anglican Communion would pay more attention to an often overlooked aspect of the Windsor Report—a section that urges those who oppose the participation of lesbian and gay people in Church life to set up procedures and means to start listening to the concerns of gay and lesbian Christians. Bishop Jefforts Schori likens the provisions of the communiqué she signed to calling for a period of fasting in the Episcopal Church. A reading of the communiqué shows that most of the fasting and sacrifice would be required of those who might be considered in the “liberal” wing of the Church rather than those considered “conservative.” The Episcopal Church would “fast” by (1) declining to consecrate any bishops known to be in a same-sex relationship and (2) not authorizing ceremonies or rites that would bless same-sex unions. Such a fast would probably suit just fine most of the Episcopalians I know. We are a fair-minded people, an inclusive bunch, mostly ready to listen and take our time before doing anything rash. We were not the first to ordain women, far from it. We are certainly not the first to ordain homosexual people, though in ages past they might have been expected to keep their orientation to themselves. We found ourselves out front with the Bishop of New Hampshire not as a result of a grand plan, but because the people of New Hampshire elected him. I suspect that many at our General Convention put aside their personal opinions of lifestyles and voted “yes” on Gene Robinson simply because his diocese had elected him. Who are the rest of us to say no? In the conversation I have been an Episcopalian for 64 years now—not always a good one, but one who loves this Church as Christ’s “bridge” between his Roman Catholic and Protestant followers. I love our inclusiveness and believe more than ever that we are all sinners and the Church is for everyone. The Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor once said that people who dislike gay or lesbian people probably don’t know any. I agree with her. I have gay and lesbian friends and simply cannot believe that (1) their lifestyles are purely a matter of choice and (2) that God loves them less because of who they are. They are, after all, His creation. It can be argued, however, that the “fast” relegates some of us once again to second-class status—welcome to worship, work and of course contribute in their parishes but, for the time being, not eligible for elevation to the episcopate nor a sanctioned blessing of non-heterosexual relationships. This is, for now, the right thing for the Episcopal Church to do. If we dug in our heels and told the rest of the Anglican Communion to step aside while we moved on, the conversation leading to possible conversion would be much more difficult, if not impossible. My sense is that some bishops in the United States and some in Africa and South America are on power trips not necessarily based on scripture. Nonetheless, it behooves us not to assume that this is so. As one side listens, we must expect that the other side will listen. The “liberal” wing of our Church is not perfect. The exercise of respectful debate can be good for everyone. Bishop Jefforts Schori has elected to try to keep our seat at the table, and we can hope that our House of Bishops (and our House of Deputies, if necessary) will support her decision to sign that communiqué. Thus it is that we remain at the table and in the debate. I believe time and liberty will win out. We are an independent Church, Anglican Communion or no, but we are not independent of Christ our Lord and the Word of God. We will teach, preach and (hopefully) listen to each other.