Michael Perham and Gracious Restraint

I see that at his diocesan synod, the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rev Michael Perham has made a very passionate plea for even more “gracious restraint”.

“My own view is that what is needed in the Church at present is gracious restraint. We need a cool and calm period in which to explore the issues. To those among clergy and ordinands contemplating entering a same-sex marriage I would say, “Might you hold back while the Church reflects?” Gracious restraint. To those who might make a complaint against a priest who, despite that, does enter such a marriage I would say, “Might you hold back while the Church reflects?” Gracious restraint. To those who contemplate leaving the Church of England because of its perceived position I would say, “Might you hold back while the Church reflects?” Gracious restraint. To those who condemn the Church of England from other parts of the Anglican Communion I would say, “Might you hold back while the Church of England reflects?” Gracious restraint to give us space.

Well, I’d say, fair enough. Fair enough, that is, if Michael Perham and other bishops are prepared to divorce their wives for a couple of years and promise not to have any sex with anyone until we all agree about sexuality. If that level playing field can be achieved then I’d support his call for gracious restraint.

Or is it that only gay people are expected to make such sacrifices?

Comments

  1. Rosemary Hannah says

    I think the married bishops ought to be asked to repent of having married in the first place.

    I think what the statement by +Gloucester fails to take on board is that it is not just about sex. It is the love and joy people have in each other. It is saying ‘have you met my husband?’ Until people get that, we will make no progress.

  2. I’d like to gear him call for a bit of gracious restraint in Uganda and Nigeris, where the Anglican church could perhaps do a little more to wind down the appalling homophobic violence taking place, due in no small part to their inflammatory conduct and support of really bad law…

  3. Yes, Jaye…

  4. Bro David says

    Yes, it is always we who are called upon to stand in the “crucified place.”

  5. Well done! It should also be pointed out that the rhetorical form of this plea is sure to put people off, expressing the purblind self-hypnotic self-mediation of a closed mind. You wouldn’t buy a used car from this chap. I speak as an unchurched American deeply impressed by Kelvin’s intelligence as expressed on this blog, which I share with my son who is on the ordination path in a Bristol. He loves it too.

  6. Well said, as always.

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