Church politics in "depressing" shock

[emperor]

I have a certain amount of sympathy with the views expressed in this Grauniad blog entry. When ++Rowan is issuing statements condemning the election of a second homosexual bishop in the USA, but not issuing statements condemning the proposed criminalising of homosexuality in Uganda (including the death penalty for "aggravated" cases), nor the support of that law by Uganda's bishops, then it leaves a very unfortunate image of what the Church's priorities are. Surely protecting the already discriminated-against homosexual minority in Uganda from state oppression is the urgent priority?

Comments

[ex-robhu.livejournal.com]

I came away from Gledhill's article thinking her main point was 'If Anglicanism isn't a vehicle for liberal ideas, then what is the point of it?'.

Yes, we should condemn those laws in Uganda (that the church (even outside of Anglicanism) seems not to want to do so makes me wonder if the issue is more complex than the (generally anti-church, pro homosexual) media is presenting.

I don't see why we can't do both things - condemn the TEC for creating a schism, moving away from the Bible, and Christian tradition for 2,000 years, AND condemn the Uganda anti-gay law.

[yrieithydd.livejournal.com]

I basically agree -- though apparently the rhetoric in Ugandan is such that the West can't say anything without pushing them further away on this issue.

Also, I think his statement on the second openly gay* tried merely to state the obvious 'this will cause problems in the Communion' though the second paragraph on the fact that it still has to be ratified looks a bit like trying to interfere in internal TEC politics.

*apparently there have in fact been bishops who have come out after being appointed.

[girlofthemirror.livejournal.com]

It's so frustrating. Watching them wrap themselves in circles trying to accommodate so many contradictory things. The other thing that I find rather depressing is that if we have to have the rather shady institution that is state religion can't we at least make it follow the anti-discrimination law? There really ought to be an upside to such a funny system.

[cathedral-life.livejournal.com]

I think Rowan isn't commenting because speaking out strongly against it will just mean that Uganda enact it on the basis of western opposition. His speaking on the matter risks sounding something like a colonial encroachment. It is also a matter for the Ugandan government, (although I concede that that is influenced by the Ugandan church).

However, the US election of a second homosexual bishop is an ecclesial matter. Indeed, it seems to be snubbing much of the rest of the communion, and the commitment to /dialogue/ and not just doing what you please.

Indeed, I worry that there will probably be a link between the US's brash acting and Uganda passing the law (although possibly not a direct one).

I don't think Ruth Gledhill makes sense about anything really. I can't figure out her viewpoint, and half the time, she doesn't seem to really understand any of the issues that she has to write about.

[lnr]

Gledhill's article? I can't spot anything by someone of that name, am I being thick?

[ex-robhu.livejournal.com]

Sorry, I failed to link to (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6946709.ece) Gledhill's commentary.

[ex-robhu.livejournal.com]

These are good points.

When you refer to Gledhill, are you thinking of this (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6946709.ece)?

[lnr]

Ta! I was a bit confused :)

[alec-corio.livejournal.com]

I agree (especially about Ruth Gledhill being nonsensical).

I hope that there is a pragmatic element to the Archbishop's public statements (or non-statements) on these issues, though not much church house does convinces me that they have is a considered press policy. Speaking out on Uganda too soon or too stridently (he has now done so http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/andrewbrown/2009/dec/12/rowan-williams-uganda-speaks-out) might have made diplomatic efforts there impossible, which is hardly a prophetic action. Making a clear public statement about Canon Glasspool's election might offer ECUSA time to pause for thought before confirming her election, affirms the Archbishop's committment to Lambeth and the collegiality of communion, and (wishful thinking here) limits the amount of homophobia directed against her from 'traditionalist' positions.