Homosexuality debated at
12th General
Synod of the Anglican Church
of Australia
The 12th
General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia today commended a report on
homosexuality to the Church for study and reflection.
In
preparation for the General Synod, the Doctrine Panel of the Anglican Church of
Australia released “Faithfulness in Fellowship: Reflections on Homosexuality and
the Church” - a book of discussion papers about homosexuality.
The General
Synod called on its Standing Committee to encourage study and reflection on a
report, as well as consider what other steps might be taken and advise the next
meeting of General Synod.
“Faithfulness in Fellowship” provides important biblical, theological and
scientific data and argumentation of relevance to all churches struggling with
the issue of homosexuality.
Archbishop
Peter Carnley, Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, who is also the
chairman of the Doctrine Panel, said he hoped that the book “will provoke people
to a serious discussion of the issues”.
Members of
the Doctrine Panel affirm unequivocally in the book both that “promiscuity is
contrary to the Christian ideal of committed, monogamous relationships that
reflect the faithfulness of God” and that “the irrational fear of homosexuality
and homosexual persons and the persecution which has so often stemmed from that
fear are not faithful expressions of Christian witness and are, in fact, an
affront to the example of love which Christ set for us”.
Members of
the Doctrine Panel, the Reverend Cathy Thompson and the Reverend Dr Glenn
Davies, presented two perspectives on the issue to the General Synod today (July
24), followed by a small group discussion and debate.
The Reverend
Cathy Thompson said the issue of homosexuality and of how the church should
respond to it were vexed questions.
“We, within
the worldwide Anglican Communion, are not of one mind with respect to this
question and clearly we need some time for intentional and responsible
reflection on the issues,” Ms Thompson said.
“We cannot
talk of homosexuality as though it were merely a scientific phenomenon. Whatever
we say here, we say it about people, real human beings created by God and for
whom Christ came into the world. And today these gay and lesbian people are
present in increasing numbers in our congregations.
“You see
ultimately there is no absolutely clear interpretation of the Bible with respect
to homosexuality. But what I am saying does not undermine the love of the church
for the Word of God, as that takes shape within our shared struggle with Holy
Scripture and how we bring to bear reason, experience and tradition on
Scripture.”
Dr Davies
said “Faithfulness in Fellowship” recommended no change in the teaching and
practice of the Church with regard to the question of homosexuality.
“It
recognises the teaching and tradition of our Church over centuries, and the
Christian tradition generally, with regard to homosexual practice,” Dr Davies
said.
“It will be
the issue of understanding the Bible that will be at the heart of our
discussions and that is a good thing to discuss.
“I want to
keep discussing because I believe the power of the Word of God will ultimately
unite us as God leads us into a true understanding of his Word.
“For us to
continue to dialogue with one another ought to be the character of us as
Christians. It was reflected in the Doctrine Panel, and it ought to be reflected
across the Church as a whole.”
A majority
of General Synod members voted against an amendment to the motion, proposed by
Sydney delegate Philip Gerber, which, while upholding the need to deal
sensitively with people irrespective of their sexual orientation, in part called
for the General Synod to “reject homosexual practice as incompatible with
Scripture” and to reject “the legitimising or blessing of same-sex unions nor
ordaining of those involved in same gender unions”.
The General
Synod is being held at the Carlton Crest Hotel, Brisbane from July 21-27, 2001.
“Faithfulness in Fellowship: Reflections on Homosexuality and the Church” is
published by John Garratt Publishing, PB, ISBN: 1875938478, rrp: $34.95.
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