Rowan Williams' letters
Update, Aug 8 - You can read a statement issued by the Archbishop of Canterbury about the pitt letters here.
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There's mention in the news, and in America magazine's blog too, about some letters (the Pitt letters)written in the past by Rowan Williams that tell of his feelings about homosexuality .... basically that he doesn't think same-sex relationships are bad (Williams once believed gay relationships comparable to marriage at the Episcopal Cafe). This is not really news, given his paper made to members of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Association when he was Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford University in 1989, on the subject of human sexuality ... The Body's Grace (see my post of 2 years ago).
What I find hard to understand is the discontinuity between his beliefs and his actions ... his Lambeth Conference shut down of the same-sex friendly Canadian and American churches, though he doesn't see same-sex unions as sinful. Maybe I'm being too hard on him, or I just don't understand, but if a person of his calibre can't be counted on to speak truth to power, then who?
***
There's mention in the news, and in America magazine's blog too, about some letters (the Pitt letters)written in the past by Rowan Williams that tell of his feelings about homosexuality .... basically that he doesn't think same-sex relationships are bad (Williams once believed gay relationships comparable to marriage at the Episcopal Cafe). This is not really news, given his paper made to members of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Association when he was Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford University in 1989, on the subject of human sexuality ... The Body's Grace (see my post of 2 years ago).
What I find hard to understand is the discontinuity between his beliefs and his actions ... his Lambeth Conference shut down of the same-sex friendly Canadian and American churches, though he doesn't see same-sex unions as sinful. Maybe I'm being too hard on him, or I just don't understand, but if a person of his calibre can't be counted on to speak truth to power, then who?
posted by crystal | 6:04 PM
6 Comments:
Hi Crystal,
I think all of us at one time or another get caught in a situation where we believe one thing, but our job requires us to act against that belief. I think a lot of priests fall into that category, they believe one thing, but find that their position requires them in public to follow the Church line. One would not be teaching Catholic doctrine if they were simply supplying their own beliefs.
I think Rowan Williams is caught in the same position. Part of his job is to keep his Church together, and he might well believe that comes before his own beliefs and desires.
I once received a traffic ticket from a state trooper. He told me that he had to give me a ticket for running the red light despite the fact that he thought that it was justified under the circumstances. He strongly suggested that I go to court because the judge would have the right to dismiss the ticket. I did and the judge did. I think the trooper was honest.
I think that maybe Rowan Williams has been more honest than many of us would be in his place.
And yes, we have survived the fires and now have to worry about flooding from the bare slopes. And I am finally beginning to feel better after the radiation, life is slowly becoming worth living again.
Hugs,
Mike L
Mike,
I'm very glad to hear that you feel better :)
I saw a story in the TimesOnline about Rowan and this subjec that siad ...
The Church will miss the lead that an archbishop should offer on matters of practice and belief. Simply waiting for time to ease divisions and persuade his opponents is naive: they are ready to push their agenda hard. The great archbishops have been men of spiritual courage. Dr Williams has views that are important for the Church. They should be aired.
I agree with this guy. I don't think his job is to hold the Communion together, it's to lead it, via the "good news".
I feel sorry for Williams. I can see where you're coming from, and it's sad when someone caves into intransigent elements (Paul VI and Humanae Vitae comes to mind), but part of leadership is often compromising even with people who are very wrong. I haven't been following it enough to know what his real options are and whether he has much choice, but I'm glad I'm not in his shoes.
Liam,
I do feel a little sorry for him. But staying together can't become more important than the reason people came together in the first place, I think.
In some of the countries of the Anglican communion, homosexuality is a captial crime, and even here, by people who aren't even christians, the bible is used as justification for prejudice and hate against gays/lesbians.
Being in the position of power and respect that he is, if he really believes the bible does not mean to say homosexuality is an abomination, I think he should act on his belief.
Easy for me to say, I know.
We can speak and be trusted and we will.
I don't share the expressed sympathy for poor RW, who has such a difficult path. I have a hard time standing up to bullies, but sometimes you must suck it up and force yourself.
The Primates of the "Global South" have been forcefully clear that they aren't at all interested in understanding or compromise, but only in abject surrender. They have chosen to divide, not Christ's garments, but His body, over this issue. There can be no compromise with such evil, which comes from "the Father of Lies." They have already divided the unity RW seeks to preserve, more than a decade ago. "Let the dead bury their dead."
Hi johnieb,
Thanks for visiting. Yes, the Global South seems totally uninterested in compromise.
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