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tree_and_leafThis short address by the Archbishop of Wales is the most encouraging take on the subject I've heard from a senior British Anglican (not my branch of the Communion, but it's something that our neighbours have more sense). He's trying to start an honest debate on how the church should respond to the institution of civil partnerships and possibly same-sex civil marriage, and identifies as the key question
how do we hold together faithfulness to Scripture and tradition with the wider New Testament call to love our neighbour?
And his final paragraph makes it fairly clear where his sympathies lie:
The question then as now is, will the church protect and support pastorally, faithful, stable, lifelong relationships of whatever kind in order to encourage human values such as love and fidelity and recognise the need in Christian people for some public religious support. As Helen says in the novel "Nightwatch" by Sarah Walters – a novel written in 1947, "what could she do to say to the world that Julia was hers?" She could have gone on to ask "what can the church do to show that this relationship is not simply something between my partner and I but that somehow God is in our midst as well and longs for our wellbeing". It is a discussion we need to have.
It's slightly embarrassing - though a compliment to Sarah Waters(!) - that he thinks "Nightwatch" is from 1947, but that's a minor point, and I am happy that ++Barry has set out the terms of debate in the way he has.
how do we hold together faithfulness to Scripture and tradition with the wider New Testament call to love our neighbour?
And his final paragraph makes it fairly clear where his sympathies lie:
The question then as now is, will the church protect and support pastorally, faithful, stable, lifelong relationships of whatever kind in order to encourage human values such as love and fidelity and recognise the need in Christian people for some public religious support. As Helen says in the novel "Nightwatch" by Sarah Walters – a novel written in 1947, "what could she do to say to the world that Julia was hers?" She could have gone on to ask "what can the church do to show that this relationship is not simply something between my partner and I but that somehow God is in our midst as well and longs for our wellbeing". It is a discussion we need to have.
It's slightly embarrassing - though a compliment to Sarah Waters(!) - that he thinks "Nightwatch" is from 1947, but that's a minor point, and I am happy that ++Barry has set out the terms of debate in the way he has.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-18 02:22 pm (UTC)I like the idea that God longs for our wellbeing.
(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-18 02:32 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-04-18 06:43 pm (UTC)