Prior to traveling to the United States to visit and preach at General Convention [TLC, Aug. 3], the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. George Carey, spoke strongly against same-sex marriages at the Church of England's General Synod July 14 in York. Archbishop Carey addressed the synod during a general debate on homosexual practice.

"The picture formed by many outside the church is that the Anglican Communion is hopelessly divided and rent asunder by furious debate about homosexual practice," the archbishop said. "I urge synod, indeed, all members of our church, to treat this description with great skepticism."

Archbishop Carey called the matter of homosexuality "an important subject which can give rise to much anxiety, pain and division. It will not go away and it is no good pretending that opposition to, and acceptance of, homosexual practice are reconcilable opinions. We are therefore left with two subjects for continuing dialogue: firstly, what is God's will? And secondly, what do we do as members of the church when we disagree about what God's will is?

"Anglicanism, with its rich theology of comprehensiveness, should be a good context in which to wrestle with these two questions honestly and openly. Neither question can be settled by campaigning tactics or sound bites. They need prayerful, respectful dialogue."

As he has done before, Archbishop Carey addressed the role of scripture.

"I do not find any justification from the Bible, or the entire Christian tradition, for sexual activity outside marriage," he said. "Thus same-sex relationships in my view cannot be on a par with marriage and the church should resist any diminishing of the fundamental 'sacramentum' of marriage.

"Clergy especially must model relationships that commend the faith of Christ. I know that this statement will distress some, and I understand the pastoral difficulties that come from working out the discipline of the church in the personal life."

The archbishop added that many persons would wish to challenge his view and he said "thoughtful debate" and prayer should continue.