A Pastoral Statement to Lesbian and Gay Anglicans

The Pastoral Statement to Lesbian and Gay Anglicans from Some Member Bishops of the Lambeth Conference August 5, 1998

Dear sisters and brothers,

The Lambeth Conference has spent nearly three weeks deliberating issues of human sexuality, among many other vital issues facing our worldwide Communion. We have met in a climate of enormous diversity and have attempted both to articulate our views and listen carefully to those of others.

Within the limitations of this Conference, it has not been possible to hear adequately your voices, and we aplogize for any sense of rejection that has occurred because of this reality. Thsi letter is a sign of our commitment to listen to you and reflect with you theologically and spiritually on your lives and ministries. It is our deep concern that you not feel abandoned by your Chruch and that you know of our continued respect and support.

We pledge that we will continue to reflect, pray, and work for your full inclusion in the life of the Church. It is obvious that Communion-wide we are in great disagreement over what full inclusion would mean. We ourselves have varied views and admit, as the report of the Human Sexuality Sub-section of the Conference says, that there is much we do not yet understand. But we believe it is an imperative of the Gospel and our faith that we seek such understanding.

We call on the entire Communion to continue (and in many places, begin) prayerful, respectful conversation on the issue of homosexuality. We must not stop where this Conference has left off. You, our sisters and brothers in Christ, deserve a more thorough hearing than you received over the past three weeks. We will work to make that so.

Faithfully,

Inter alia
Laurie Green, Chelmsford - Bradwell
Edward Holland, Chelmsford - Colchester
Roger Sainsbury, Chelsmford - Barking

The 'phrase that pays' in this statement is clearly "full inclusion". The above bishops, by their signing this letter, have indicated they do not believe lesbian and gay people are 'fully included' in the Church. Notice also, the Lambeth Conference Resolution on Human Sexuality already says:

We commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual persons and we wish to assure them that they are loved by God and that all baptised, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ;

This should be compared to the last paragraph of the Statement above. Those who wish to know what these bishops mean by "full inclusion", and how this goes beyond the commitment of the Lambeth Conference Resolution, should write to or phone them. If you lack the addresses, please e-mail me.

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This page is maintained by Rev John Richardson, Anglican Chaplain to the University of East London
Last updated 3 October 1998