news-list Mailing List: ECUSA Special Commission Reaffirms Full & Equal Claim For Gay & Lesbian Episcopalians

[John Clinton Bradley (johnclint]

Integrity
620 Park Avenue #311 | Rochester, NY  14607-2943
800-462-9498 | info [at] integrityusa.org | www.integrityusa.org

7 April 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ECUSA SPECIAL COMMISSION REAFFIRMS 
FULL & EQUAL CLAIM FOR GAY & LESBIAN EPISCOPALIANS

Integrity commends the Special Commission on Anglican Communion Affairs for
reaffirming ECUSA's 30-year-old stand on gay and lesbian inclusion. "The
widely predicted 'U-turn' on lesbian and gay inclusion failed to
materialize," said Integrity President Susan Russell. "This a huge victory
for those committed to communion and a significant defeat for those
insisting on capitulation. Instead of an about-face, the report offers a way
forward for those willing to stay in conversation and community with those
with whom they disagree."

In reaffirming the inclusion of gays and lesbians, the report makes the
strong statement that this church will not scapegoat its lesbian and gay
members for a threatened schism not of their making. Rejecting the call for
a moratorium on the election of gay or lesbian bishops, the report instead
affirmed that considerable caution should be exercised in ANY episcopal
election (caution which we firmly believe was exercised in 2003).

To "present a challenge to the wider church" can, we believe, be a vehicle
for the movement of the Holy Spirit. We recognize that just as ECUSA needs
to confront the challenges of racism and imperialism voiced by our sisters
and brothers from the Global South, the voices of witness of the gay and
lesbian faithful in ECUSA and other provinces offer challenges to sexism and
homophobia in other parts of our communion. We have much to learn from each
other and we are grateful for a report offering ways to continue, rather
than cut off, the conversation.

We do find the proposed moratoria on the authorization of Rites of Blessing
for same-sex unions (proposed resolution A162) problematic, mostly in its
distinction between "private" and "public" rites.  We believe it is
impossible for the church to hold that a "private" response is also a
"pastoral" one in this case.  We find the use of the word "private" to be a
potential step back from Resolution C051 of 2003 (which called such
liturgies "within the bounds of our common life") and, therefore, we cannot
support A162 as it currently stands.

Our own detailed analysis of this document will be forthcoming.  For now we
offer this brief sketch of our hopes and concerns with gratitude for the
work that has thus far been done.

Press Contacts:

The Rev. Susan Russell
President
president [at] integrityusa.org 
714-356-5718 (mobile)
626-296-9620 (home)

The Rev. Michael W. Hopkins 
Past President
mwhopkins [at] rochester.rr.com 
585-546-7730 (office)
585-256-3597 (home)