A changing church

Well done Alice Goodman! (“Giving a same-sex blessing was the ultimate joy”, Jan/Feb). As Cardinal Newman suggested, how can we be sure that the Christianity of today is the same religion as that envisioned and developed by Jesus Christ and the apostles? Unless you are blindly textcentric, doctrine is always evolving. As poet and songwriter Sydney Carter put it, “Your holy hearsay is not evidence, give me the good news in the present tense.”

We have to engage with new understandings in culture, in language, in science and so on in dialogue with our best understandings of the mission of Jesus, “that they might have life in all its fullness.”

Ian Stubbs, via the website

It is great to see that priests in the Church of England have already experienced more freedom of conscience, not only to pastorally affirm and welcome same-sex couples but to be able to offer “prayers of thanksgiving, dedication and for God’s blessing for same-sex couples”, as the bishops proposed.

The Church is not alone. Several churches within the global Anglican Communion have already approved either blessings for same-sex couples after a civil marriage or civil partnership or chosen to legally perform the same-sex marriages themselves.

JC, via the website

It is clear why this is important for the people involved, and for Alice. There are three difficulties here, though. First of all, the decision not to put the words “gay”, “marriage” and “blessing” together in the prayers was deliberate. That formulation is not what the General Synod—the Church’s legislative body—voted for.

Secondly, the Church of England has a doctrine of marriage, and it is expressed in Canon law (which is also the law of the land) and its liturgy. No clergy have the authority to edit that to suit their own ends.

Thirdly, Alice took a public vow, stating she believed the doctrine of the Church—including on marriage—and that she would faithfully uphold, teach and expound it, and offer it as a model for others to follow. Does this vow, made in a cathedral before clergy and congregation, now mean so little?

Ian Paul, via the website

Simply ask yourself what Jesus would have done. Where he would have been. Which action he would have approved of. Me? I’m willing to face God for loving and accepting people too much. I feel that’s better—and far more likely to be forgiven!—than the alternative.

As for what God would say about rejecting people simply because of hierarchical rules…

Gillian Wallace, via the website