The Sexuality Debate in the Episcopal Church

Homosexuality has been a controversial issue within much of Christianity for decades. It has been a particularly contentious issue in recent years, especially in the Episcopal Church here in the US. Even if you're not an Anglican or Episcopalian, no doubt you've read news stories about the backlash over the election of The Rev. Gene Robinson, a partnered gay man, as Bishop of New Hampshire and the legal battles over ownership of church property. How did all of this turn into such an ugly controversy? It has to do with differing views on the interpretation of the Bible, different understandings of the place of the Anglican Communion in the life of each province (national church), and what rights those who elect to leave the church have in regard to keeping church property.

There are widely varying beliefs in how Bible passages concerning sexuality are to be interpreted. Some who have a more conservative viewpoint believe that certain passages (Genesis 19, Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, I Corinthians 6:9) condemn homosexual practice regardless of the context, and, as a serious sin, this prohibits a non-celibate homosexual from being ordained. It is also believed that the sacrament of marriage was instituted as a union between one man and one woman, so same-sex unions are inappropriate. Many conservatives feel that acceptance of homosexuality departs from historic Christian teaching. Others with a more liberal viewpoint believe these passages prohibit certain behaviors that were associated with pagan worship and practice, but not necessarily homosexuality as it's known today. Therefore, ordination of partnered gays and lesbians and blessing same-sex unions are not seen as being contrary to Christian teaching. For many liberals, it's a matter of baptized Christians not being able to be full participants in the church. Many others hold viewpoints somewhere in between these.

In 1976, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church had passed a resolution affirming membership of gay and lesbian people in the church. In 1979, a resolution was passed that recommended against ordaining non-celibate homosexuals, but the resolution was not made part of canon law. In 1998, the Lambeth Conference (a gathering of Anglican bishops from around the world held every ten years) met. While the resolutions passed at Lambeth are not legally binding on the local provinces, many feel that the resolutions should be kept to for the sake of unity. A resolution was passed that recognized the membership of gays and lesbians in the church, but recommended against ordaining non-celibate homosexuals, recognizing same-sex blessings, as well as considering homosexual practice to be contrary to Scripture.

In July of 2003, Gene Robinson was elected as Bishop of New Hampshire. Prior to his election, The Rev. Robinson had been the Canon to the Ordinary of the diocese. Episcopal Church canon laws, because of the date of the election, required consents at General Convention. When the election went through, many conservatives were angered and there was talk of schism. Also a subject of discussion at that General Convention was a resolution that was seen by many as allowing for a "local option" in regard to same-sex unions. A group of Anglican leaders denounced the actions of that General Convention and asked that TEC not consecrate other non-celibate gay bishops or perform same-sex unions. Several provinces decreed that they were no longer in communion with the US church.

A large number of Anglicans in other provinces have a more conservative viewpoint on sexuality. Some of the conservative Anglicans in these provinces feel that the leaders of other provinces should be able to hold TEC accountable for the actions of General Convention 2003. A few conservative provinces, such Uganda, Rwanda, and the Southern Cone (a south American province) have offered oversight to Episcopalians in the US who feel that they can no longer be in fellowship with the national church. When a majority of parish members have decided to leave, there has often been a struggle over whether the departing or remaining members have a right to the property. Most diocesan and national church leaders are of the mind that the properties are in trust for the national church and cannot be legally removed. Many departing members believe that they are not under the authority of TEC, so the church properties are able to be taken. This has sadly lead to numerous lawsuits.

Can the differing parties in the Episcopal Church learn to get along? Right now, it's truly hard to tell. There is a lot of anger, as well as mixed emotions and hurt feelings on both sides. Regardless of where one stands on the sexuality issue, the church that many have known for so long is going to come out very much changed. Whether alternative oversight and/or a parallel province will work out remains to be seen. It's my prayer that God's grace will make reconciliation. possible.