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Church Addresses Implications of Lambeth Resolution on Sexuality

Episcopal News Service. March 9, 2000 [2000-057]

(ENS) Dioceses of the Anglican Communion continue to address the implications of a resolution, passed at the 1998 Lambeth Conference of the world's Anglican bishops, that declared homosexual activity "contrary to Scripture" and advised against the ordination of openly gay and lesbian clergy or the blessing of same-sex relationships.

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Sydney in Australia passed a motion at its February meeting that asks the primates of the Anglican Communion at their meeting in Portugal to "take note of the recent consecrations of the Rt. Reverends John L. Rodgers and Chuck Murphy as an expression of the extreme frustration of orthodox and faithful Anglicans in ECUSA and in the worldwide Communion...."

The resolution affirmed the church's traditional theology on the "uniqueness of Jesus" and the "sufficiency and authority of Scripture," calling for a rejection of "heterosexual immorality and homosexual practice."

A special March 5 convention of the Diocese of Colorado, on the other hand, refused to curb its clergy who bless same-sex unions or call on the church to stop ordaining open gay and lesbian clergy. By a show of hands, delegates declined to endorse the resolutions passed by an overwhelming majority at Lambeth, leading some to warn that Episcopalians in this country were increasingly out of step with Anglicans in other parts of the world.

The special convention was scheduled at the end of a six-month study period during which congregations were urged to study the issues. The diocese postponed action on two resolutions endorsing the Lambeth position at its annual convention last October.

Other dioceses have also wrestled with the Lambeth issues:
  • A Diocese of California task force concluded, "We find that living out the Gospel imperative to love God and one another precludes the rejection of homosexuality, homosexuals or homosexual practices. We affirm God's call to include and accept all people as children of God."
  • The Diocese of Minnesota cited the baptismal covenant and said that this is "a particularly appropriate time to include, welcome and embrace its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender members and explicitly declare that in our diocese we continue to make available to them all of the sacraments and blessings of God's beloved church."
  • The Diocese of Maryland defeated a resolution that would have asked the church's Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to provide a liturgical rite for blessing committed same-sex relationships.
  • The Dioceses of South Carolina and Ft. Worth said that they "will be guided by the moral authority of the 1998 Lambeth Conference...."
  • The Diocese of Los Angeles affirmed its policy and practice of not restricting membership or ordination "on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or age."