1718 M Street NW, PMB 148 | Washington, DC 20036
800-462-9498| info@integrityusa.org
18 October 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Integrity thanks the Lambeth Commission on Communion for
the thorough and balanced report it released today. Like the rest of the
Anglican Communion, we will be studying the principles it articulates
and discussing the recommendations it makes. However, we have a few preliminary
responses remarks that we would like to share.
We are grateful that the report recognizes that serious,
Communion-wide dialog on the ordination of gay and lesbian persons and
the blessing of same-sex relationships has not occurred. We look forward
to the development of a process that will enable true dialog on these
issues. We hope that such conversation will not only be ABOUT homosexuality,
but WITH gay and lesbian Anglicans. The members of Integrity USA will
gladly make ourselves available to share our faith stories with our sisters
and brothers throughout the Communion, as we have been doing for the past
thirty years.
We stand with the bishops of the Episcopal Church who participated
in the consecration of the Bishop of New Hampshire and who have authorized
rites for blessing same-sex relationships for use in their dioceses. While
being cognizant of the pain felt by some our brothers and sisters in other
provinces, we remain convinced that these actions were, and are, in keeping
with the Gospel. We hope that these bishops will also be part of a Communion-wide
dialog on these issues-explaining the theological reasons for their positions.
We also stand with Bishop Gene Robinson himself who was
elected, confirmed, and consecrated in accordance with canon law and a
Spirit-led process in the Diocese of New Hampshire. We are confident that,
as there is further consideration of the recommendations in the Windsor
Report, Bishop Robinson will not be excluded from the councils of the
Communion.
Overall it seems to us that the report is a call to an
earnest, Communion-wide discernment process about the nature of the Gospel
and the nature of the Church given the contexts of our varied interpretations
of the Scriptures, our differing approaches to Anglican tradition, and
the complex realities in which the various provinces of the Communion
live and move and have their being. Clearly it is essential that this
conversation occurs, and in such a manner that all the people of God who
are members of this Communion can fully participate.
Finally, we would like to thank Presiding Bishop Frank
Griswold for his initial statement on the Windsor Report-affirming the
presence and positive contribution of gay and lesbian persons to every
aspect of the life of our church and in all orders of ministry.
15 October 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Lambeth Commission on Communion is scheduled to release its final
report on Monday, 18 October 2004. It is anticipated that the report will
make recommendations for maintaining unity within the Anglican Communion
in the midst of profound disagreement. The two key issues that prompted
formation of the commission were the authorization of a rite for blessing
same-sex relationships by the Diocese of New Westminster (Canada) and
the election, approval, and ordination of V. Gene Robinson-a gay man in
a committed same-sex relationship-as the bishop of the Diocese of New
Hampshire (United States).
The leadership of national Integrity is committed to a
careful and prayerful reading of the report. Therefore, we will not respond
publicly to the report until we have had sufficient time to study it.
However, a few advance comments are appropriate regardless of the report's
contents:
- The report will not be the definitive word on any issue. It will
contain recommendations-not mandates-to be considered by the primates
and the Anglican Consultative Council over the next several months.
- We believe that the Holy Spirit is guiding the church "into all
the truth" (John 16:12-13)-both through the deliberations of the
Canadian and American provinces as well as through the deliberations
of the Lambeth Commission on Communion. "Let anyone who has an
ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches" (Revelation
2:11).
- That which unites us as is stronger than that which threatens to
divide us. We share "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians
4:5). Integrity is confident that the Anglican Communion will remain
intact as it works through its differences.
- Integrity acknowledges the deep pain felt in some provinces of the
Anglican Communion as a result of recent actions in North America. We
remind all of our brothers and sisters throughout the Communion of the
deep pain that gay and lesbian Anglicans have experienced and continue
to experience as a result of prejudice and discrimination within our
churches and societies. May we seek to heal all those who hurt "and
live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us" (Ephesians
5:2).
(The Reverend) Susan Russell
President
president@integrityusa.org
714-356-5718 (mobile)
626-583-2740 (office)
John Clinton Bradley
Director of Communications
johnclint@integrityusa.org
585-313-1059 (mobile)
585-242-7687 (home office)
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