AUGUST MAGAZINE

A STATEMENT FROM THE RECTOR CONCERNING GENERAL CONVENTION

I am writing this just after General Convention. Decisions made concerning gay bishops & gay marriage have created a stir throughout the Anglican Communion and beyond. Many of our parishioners are not happy, and the Episcopal Church will continue to be divided over these issues. However controversial these decisions are, in a way they are the logical result of the direction of our church since women were first ordained 40 years ago. In 1987 I attended a conference of the Evangelical & Catholic Mission in Denver. A speaker made the point that in ordaining women ECUSA was falling in line with what the world was doing & changes in attitudes to sexuality would logically follow. For what had really been changed was catholic tradition and the theology of ordination.

Most Episcopalians are happy to have women priests, and probably accept the latest decisions of General Convention. What is the position of All Saints', then? We are a parish which holds & teaches traditional catholic teaching and practice. Some of our people accept women priests, and some will agree with these decisions by General Convention. However most of us are traditional on all these issues, and as a parish we still witness to traditional catholic teaching. We express that in our worship and preaching. This is what unites us, and it is what attracts people. To date we have been allowed to continue as an honored parish in the diocese, and I do not expect that to change.

People question our integrity, and wonder what the future is for a parish like ours. Some of our friends have left ECUSA, taking their parishes with them. I do not agree with that, nor legal action against such parishes. I have always stated that as a parish we would remain in ECUSA. Indeed, I believe we have a prophetic role to remind our church of the catholic faith. It is not easy - but to be an Anglocatholic has always meant being in a minority & counter-cultural.

The gradual liberalism of our church has made this more difficult - for there is nothing more illiberal than a church liberal! One of those bishops who has completely abandoned the Faith is Richard Holloway. His belief is that the church should be so doctrinally indifferent that it can include people of every theological opinion and none. He is not alone amongst Episcopal bishops.

Let me conclude by saying that All Saints' will continue to be a church that welcomes and embraces everyone, and will be an integral part of the community. We may not agree with decisions of General Convention - but we will continue our life as an Episcopal parish unimpeded. The Catholic Faith can never be changed by those who have political control - for that is all they have. If at some stage ECUSA leaves the Anglican Communion we will still have our vocation and mission as an Anglocatholic parish - but, of course, I hope that wiser heads will prevail!