In a letter to lesbian and gay people in the church, the College of Bishops has said:
…it has not been possible to hear adequately your voices, and we apologize for any sense of rejection that has occurred because of this reality. This letter is a sign of our commitment to listen to you and reflect with you theologically and spiritually on your lives and ministries. It is our deep concern that you not feel abandoned by your Church and that you know of our continued respect and support.
We pledge that we will continue to reflect, pray, and work for your full inclusion in the life of the Church….You, our sisters and brothers in Christ, deserve a more thorough hearing than you received over the past three weeks. We will work to make that so.
Now, these are some of the most heartening words that I’ve heard upon the subject of how the church should begin to change in its thinking about lesbian and gay people. It is encouraging to see all the signatures of the members of the College of Bishops.
However, the date on the letter is 1998 – these are the words that they signed up to after the last Lambeth Conference. It is the apology that they issued the last time around.
These words now ring rather hollow to me.
I understand the ‘hollow’ aspect, Kelvin – but just as high places tend to get flattened, so low hollows can be carefully built up for the building and setting of firm foundations.
‘Recycled’ is a good word for old things being brought out to USE. This repetition means that the words are worthy of being brought to light, and – LOOK ! – SEE – stimulates thought, discussion – and maybe – honest communication.
Even the tiniest amount of movement adds momentum……
God, after all, created ‘mankind’ in God’s own image – created us ALL, in all our (sometimes bemoaned) uniqueness and glory, ALL EQUAL and LOVED………. so how – HOW – on earth does anyone have the gall, the nastiness, and the sheer audacity to continue to try and thwart Love and Justice for ANYBODY else, orientation/colour/creed/other ?
Tell me, Kelvin – how does a pleb like me contact the College of Bishops directly ? A wee ‘Nudge to Budge’ might help bring this further into the Light. A few wee nudges might be even better…especially if loads and LOADS of people bother to do so…..
Even the Army seem to have made great forward strides over this issue over the last few years, according to a BBC R4 programme this week. Trust the Church to turn away from the Light……….
Let’s hope this lot do better! And with the bunch we have now I really hope their words won’t turn hollow