The article by Brian Cox on reconciliation was certainly amusing. Fr. Cox's own position is not hard to see, although he never mentions it. The article is filled with sociological jargon, but not a word of theological jargon can be found. In fact, Fr. Cox blithely misses the whole issue. Leaving apart the fact that there are other points of division just as important as the homosexuality issue, his failure to comprehend the situation is revealed by his contrast of those - the conservatives - who value truth above unity, and those others - the liberals - who "see a more nuanced relationship." But no one in his right mind would value unity above truth if he was sure of the truth. The liberals are happy with a "nuanced relationship" because they don't believe in any absolute, or they don't believe it can be known.

Fr. Cox thinks the liberals are concerned with a care for people and for justice to individuals. Liberals - and I call myself one - can be amazingly indifferent to human suffering if those humans fail to abide by liberal principles. The Anglican Communion has survived without schism because neither side has attempted to impose its views on the entire body. The blessing of same-sex marriages, the ordination of open homosexuals, the establishment of a female priesthood, are attempts of the liberal wing to make the church in its own image. If they succeed, schism is inevitable, and in fact proper. The conservatives would have to reject their own faith to accept it.

(The Rev.) Robert Lancaster

Paso Robles, Calif.