What if a schism occurs?
There are a couple of pieces in the Guardian today asking about why the idea of schism in the Anglican Communion is too awful to conceive, or if it did happen, what the practical consequences would be.
The latest in the Guardian's series, The Question:
"If the Anglican communion reinvents itself around a new set of committees, why should anyone care who just wants to go to church? Even without the issue of openly gay clergy, Anglicans already disagree about whether women can be priests; whether in fact priests are needed at all; whether union with Rome is desirable, or possible; which translations of the Bible to use; whether to baptise infants; whether God can be said to exist; whether the resurrection could have been filmed with a video camera … and many other questions, all of which on their own could split churches, and have done. You could probably find all these disagreements within any single congregation, too. The people in the pews are notorious for not believing what they officially believe. But the question isn't 'Why split over gay clergy, rather than anything else?' The question is whether the split, all formal as it soon will be, will actually make any difference at all to churches in their parishes, and, if so, what.
From here.
H.E. Baber responds churchgoers like her don't care:
Members of the Episcopal church are highly educated and well-informed. There is no reason why they should look to the church for moral guidance. As for prophetic proclamation and witness to the world, the church's efforts are pointless. Christendom is over: the world does not recognise the Anglican communion as a moral authority and pays no attention to its statements on matters of public concern.[...]
Laypeople who see church as nothing more than a local congregation, which maintains a building, provides Sunday services and rites of passage, and functions as a venue for community activities are not short-sighted. They are right. The institutional church has nothing else of interest to offer its members or anyone else that isn't provided by secular organisations.
Even after exploring the Anglican communion's website I fail to see what bad consequences would ensue if it fractured into two or 200 pieces.
I'm not sure what a schism in the Anglican communion will mean for me as an Episcopalian. Will I still be officially entitled to receive communion in the CofE or Anglican churches elsewhere? It hardly matters since Anglican churches don't issue communion tickets or check credentials, and I don't see any other way that the schism could affect me.
I agree, but it's hard to believe there will be a schism. Perhaps if there is, it will be the Southern (worldwide including already unhappy southern US churches)section that breaks off from the northern churches.
Posted by Coralie Jensen![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2009 10:11 AM
I believe that many people have been saying all along that this isn't really about theology or church or even GLBT issues but about power and fear. We keep addressing ourselves to the diversions rather than to the real issues. Let's talk about the Reign of God and what that looks like. Let's talk about justice, mercy, and compassion and how they fit into God's vision of things. Let's talk about orthodoxy versus orthopraxis. Let's talk about our FEAR.
Posted by Peter Pearson![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2009 10:12 AM
Let´s specifically talk about grandstanding Bishops instigating fear and hate smear/political campaigns/pogroms against LGBT Anglicans in Uganda, Nigeria, Jamaica, Sudan, Egypt, Kenya and beyond...who needs this dangerous ¨spiritual¨ involvement? Not emotionally/spiritually stable people.
Posted by Leonardo Ricardo![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2009 11:51 AM
Ms. Baber is very wrong about something, and very isolated in her point of view. She must not be gay, first of all, and second of all she probably lives in a very liberal and secular area of the US. First of all, GLBT folk care a great deal about a religious organization with a real hierarchy and deep traditions coming down on the side of inclusion and equality, because it has never ever happened before outside of some branches of Judaism.
Second of all, in the South and some parts of the Midwest, it is very important what a church says about issues and people care very much. In some parts of the country is it very fashionable to say things like "I don't like labels", etc. but in the South your labels are very important, because they say a lot about you and to whom you belong, and this is not only so people have a starting place with conversation and introduction, but you also know who's got your back, and how they have your back, and why.
Posted by Clint Davis![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2009 12:07 PM