Schori 'Distressed' at Williams' Sanctions, Defends Pro-Gay Stance

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has expressed her “distress” over the sanctions proposed by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams to divest Episcopalians from the church’s doctrinal and ecumenical councils. (Photo: Jim DeLa)

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (TEC) Katharine Jefferts Schori has expressed her "distress" at the recent sanctions proposed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams which would remove Episcopal representatives from the church's councils on doctrine and ecumenism.

In a pastoral letter to the Episcopal Church on Wednesday, Schori spoke on behalf of the church saying that they are "distressed at the apparent imposition of sanctions on some parts of the Communion."

Noting that the sanctions seem to be limited to those who have formally breached the Communion's moratoria, she said that TEC is "further distressed that such sanctions do not, apparently, apply to those parts of the Communion that continue to hold one view in public and exhibit other behaviors in private."

"Why is there no sanction on those who continue with a double standard?" she says. "In our context bowing to anxiety by ignoring that sort of double-mindedness is usually termed a 'failure of nerve.'"

"Through many decades of wrestling with our own discomfort about recognizing the full humanity of persons who seem to differ from us, we continue to work at open and transparent communication as well as congruence between word and behavior," she continues. "We openly admit our failure to achieve perfection!"

Schori and the Episcopal Church have been at the center of controversy in the Anglican Communion since they began the approval process for their second openly gay bishop, the Rev. Mary Glasspool, who was consecrated in mid-May.

Glasspool's ordination sparked a furious backlash from Anglican conservatives, some of whom have clamored for the granting of more authority to Anglican leaders in order to carry out disciplinary measures.

Schori called the apparent push towards centralized authority a "troubling" one, explaining that, "Anglicanism as a body began in the repudiation of the control of the Bishop of Rome within an otherwise sovereign nation."

"Unitary control does not characterize Anglicanism; rather, diversity in fellowship and communion does," she said.

Along with her response to Williams' proposals, Schori also gave a forceful defense of her church's stance on homosexuality.

"The Spirit does seem to be saying to many within The Episcopal Church that gay and lesbian persons are God's good creation, that an aspect of good creation is the possibility of lifelong, faithful partnership, and that such persons may indeed be good and healthy exemplars of gifted leadership within the Church, as baptized leaders and ordained ones," she writes.

"The Episcopal Church has spent nearly 50 years listening to and for the Spirit in these matters. While it is clear that not all within this Church have heard the same message, the current developments do represent a widening understanding," she added.

Schori notes that not all Episcopalians are in agreement with such a view of human sexuality, and even admitted that the church's leadership "may be wrong." However, the church continues in their embrace of homosexuality for a "belief that the Spirit permeates our decisions," she says.

The presiding bishop further draws parallels between the imposition of a "singular understanding" on sexuality and the "kind of cultural excesses practiced by many of our colonial forebears in their missionizing activity."

"We live in great concern that colonial attitudes continue, particularly in attempts to impose a single understanding across widely varying contexts and cultures," Schori writes. "We note that the cultural contexts in which The Episcopal Church's decisions have generated the greatest objection and reaction are also often the same contexts where women are barred from full ordained leadership, including the Church of England."

Schori also makes clear that the Episcopal Church is not seeking to impose its understanding on others, but rather "earnestly hope[s] for continued dialogue with those who disagree, for we believe that the Spirit is always calling us to greater understanding."

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