|
|
Gay activists greet Synod delegates
|
Church Synod Leaves Door Open
on Gay Clergy
The Church of England's General Synod has voted to commend a
report on human sexuality, which said that homosexual relations were
acceptable among the laity but not among clergymen. The vote
followed a two-hour debate on the church's policy towards
homosexuality -- the synod's first major discussion on the issue for
a decade.
However, the motion in the General Synod accepted that the 1991 House of Bishops report was "not the last word on the subject." All bishops supported the motion, proposed by the Archdeacon of Wandsworth, David Gerrard, who said gay people "are no longer prepared to live in silent, hidden shadows."
The motion was carried in all three Houses.
The votes were:
- Bishops: 44 for the motion, and zero against.
- Clergy: 186 for the motion, 38 against.
- Laity: 150 for the motion, 88 against.
Gay and lesbian clergy and their supporters outside the Synod meeting in York welcomed the vote as a small step forward.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, said the Church would consider a suggestion that an international commission be set up to examine the issue of human sexuality. But he did not believe any major change in the Church's position was likely in the foreseeable future.
Dr Carey said: "I do not find any justification from
the bible or the entire Christian tradition for sexual activity outside
marriage. Thus, same sex relationships in my view cannot be on a par with
marriage and the Church should resist any diminishing of the fundamental
`sacrimentum' of marriage.
"Clergy especially must model relationships that commend the faith of
Christ."
Church Accused of Hypocrisy
According to a survey by the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, about half of the Church's 44 diocesan bishops have knowingly
employed, licensed or ordained actively gay priests.
The group's general secretary, the Rev Richard Kirker, said: "This is contrary to
the formal policy of the church. It is hypocrisy and double standards."
"It's obvious that the Church now has no option but to drop the damaging
and dishonest pretence that it is not ordaining practising homosexuals in
considerable numbers."
But traditionalist Gerry Locke, chairman of the church's Evangelical Group,
has tabled an amendment calling on the Church to reaffirm heterosexual
marriage as "God's standard".
Former Conservative MP and Synod member Peter Bruinvels said he would be
spearheading moves to stop the ordination of known homosexuals.
He said: "Bishops have a moral responsibility to safeguard marriage and
family life and by ordaining known homosexuals, they are sending out the wrong
signals."
|
