In response to a very recent post on the NZ website of a Colleague of mine in our diocese of Christchurch, New Zealand, concerning his article on an important issue coming up before our local Diocesan Synod this week (Dr.Peter Carrell’s original article can be accessed by this link: – http://anglicandownunder.blogspot.co.nz/2014/07/of-all-times-to-leave-our-church-now-is.html – ) I have offered on ‘Anglican Down Under’, Peter’s blog-site, the following comment, which I hope might encourage local Synod members to act accordingly:
“Father Ron Smith said…
‘Now, however, we have one party saying to the other, “You are withholding the promise of salvation from some to whom God freely offers it,” and the other party saying, “No, you are holding out a false hope of salvation to some who cannot be saved unless as part of their repentance, they are willing to live a celibate life.’ – Trevor Morrison
“The ‘other party’ in this case, includes – as the author of the article describes, the ‘Sola Scriptura’ group – a group whose policies I have great difficulty in taking too seriously, on grounds I have already enunicated clearly on ADU, but which include the understanding, in the Western world at least, that LGBT people are co-equal children of God, deserving of respect and eirenic understanding of their situation.”
All the dioceses of ACANZP will be (or have already been) advocating their stand on the acceptance- or not – of an openness to Gay relationships in our Church, which will then be taken forward to our next General Synod of the Church.
I my opinion, this issue needs to be resolved in an eirenic and pastorally caring way that will accept that the LGBT community is a reality and needs to be dealt with carefully and with the loving action of a Gospel-oriented polity, in a world that has now come to terms with the fact that Gay people should not be compelled to embrace celibacy as their only option, but ought be encouraged to commit to monogamous fidelity. This is a justice issue needing an appropriate Church response, and I would advocate accordingly.
The S.S. party – as represented here – seems to believe that to be Gay is to be unnatural, and that to live out that sexual-orientation in a monogamous, loving, Same-Sex relationship is anathema, not only t0 them but to the God Who created Gays.
I say, let due legislation accepting Motion 30 be passed as soon as is practicable! I most certainly urge the Synod of our Christchurch Diocese to give their assent to the process!
Father Ron Smith, Christchurch, New Zealand
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