Bishop Chane writes to the diocese
A Pastoral Letter to the People and Clergy of the Diocese of Washington
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus,
I write to you as we begin to close the Spring Session of the House of Bishops, meeting in Navasota, Texas, March 16-21. I am pleased that the House of Bishops was finally able to craft resolutions that seem to best describe how we see the state of the Episcopal Church at this time in its life. The resolutions that were passed did not please everyone, yet there was clearly a shift in the way we have worked together.
This meeting of the House was prayer-centered, with almost two hours each day spent in prayer and in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Bible study at our small table groups took place each morning and was a wonderful way to re-connect with one another and to prepare for the work that was before us.
Discussions and debate on the floor as we crafted the resolutions (available here) were respectful, thoughtful. There was none of the mean-spiritedness or “hostage taking” that has occurred on occasion at previous House meetings. We were deliberate in our actions and we spent over three hours in debate to craft what you now have before you.
The first resolution, “Mind of the House of Bishops Resolution Addressed to the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church” passed in the House by a simple voice vote after several hours of debate. The second resolution, “To the Archbishop of Canterbury and the members of the Primates' Steering Committee” passed unanimously. The third resolution, which puts forth “A Statement from the House of Bishops-March 20, 2007” passed by a standing vote after some modifications in language.
These resolutions make clear that in spite of our differences on human sexuality and other issues, a solid majority of the House viewed the recommendations contained in the Primates' communiqué from Tanzania as offensive to our Church and disrespectful of the way that we discern and respond to God’s will. Our democratic polity is not universally admired within the Communion, but I was encouraged to see so many bishops resist the Primates’ call for our House to act unilaterally. We are a hierarchical church to be sure, but in our governance, the voice of bishops is balanced by the voices of the clergy and laity.
It was the hope of the bishops that the statement we have released will be a helpful teaching tool for the Church as we continue to discuss how best to respond to the Primates’ ultimatum by their September 30th deadline. As always I ask your prayers for the Episcopal Church, our Presiding Bishop Katharine, and all of our brothers and sisters throughout the Anglican Communion as we seek ways to walk together during these times of great challenge and change.
In Christ’s Peace, Power and Love,
The Rt. Rev. John Bryson Chane
Good for them.
Posted by Richard III | March 21, 2007 12:04 PM
When I read that some bishops would not share the communion table with others, I discovered tears in my eyes! This has happened in other churches; I hoped it would not happen in mine!
God seems to give every generations both challenges and wisdom: how far we have come! We have learned that black skins (the justification for slavery) did not indicate black/sinful souls, and that women could contribute as much as men to societies and churches. It is only in the last 100 years that parents could expect all the children born to them to live. We have been able to cure diseases formerly called uncurable, and to prevent plagues. Now it is time to remember that Christ told us to love one another---he did not say how, and he did not place any conditions in that order. Christ himself selected only men as apostles---is this an order or a reflection of his culture and its times---how many women did Christ ever chase away? Loving one another is not always easy, and understanding and valuing gay people and their needs may be God's challenge to our times!
Posted by MNwoman | March 21, 2007 3:12 PM