Guest Voices

Communion by Invitation Only

The announcement this week that New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson will not be receiving an invitation to the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops was a sad day for the Anglican Communion and a new low for the beleaguered Archbishop of Canterbury.

It is sad that the once proud-of-its-diversity Anglican Communion has allowed itself to be blackmailed into bigotry by those unwilling to accept into their midst a duly elected brother bishop solely because of his sexual orientation. And it is clear that Rowan Williams’ failure to exercise differentiated leadership has enabled the Communion he leads to continue to spin out of control.

The Archbishop had an explanation for his decision not to include Bishop Robinson: “I have to reserve the right to withhold or withdraw invitations from bishops whose appointment, actions or manner of life have caused exceptionally serious division or scandal within the Communion.”

What he doesn’t have is an explanation for the stunning hypocrisy of excluding the Bishop of New Hampshire because he is gay while including the Archbishop of Nigeria who supports legislation criminalizing gay and lesbian people so draconian that it has been condemned by the international Human Rights Watch.

What he doesn’t have is a response to those who increasingly use the word “irrelevant” to describe a church more interested in how many bishops will attend the elite gathering at Lambeth Palace in 2008 than it is in how we can help end the AIDS pandemic by 2008. Or stop the spread of malaria. Or find a way to end the genocide in Darfur.

“Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these,” is the only criterion Jesus gave for being on his invitation list. Both the Communion and the Gospel would be better served if the Archbishop of Canterbury would go and do likewise.

Rev. Susan Russell, an Episcopal priest, is president of Integrity USA.

By Susan Russell |  May 23, 2007; 6:12 AM ET Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
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Dear Norrie Hoyt

I would have you know that I always enjoy reading your posts - so full of compassion, insight and wisdom.

Best,
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Posted by: Soja John Thaikattil, Sydney, Australia | May 26, 2007 5:51 AM
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Good point, Norrie.

I would really like to see the whole American contingent bail out.

Why prolong the misery?

Posted by: E favorite | May 25, 2007 4:01 PM
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'The Archbishop had an explanation for his decision not to include Bishop Robinson: “I have to reserve the right to withhold or withdraw invitations from bishops whose appointment, actions or manner of life have caused exceptionally serious division or scandal within the Communion.”'

Then he should withdraw his invitation to himself - his behavior is truly scandalous and unChristian.

Posted by: Norrie Hoyt | May 25, 2007 9:48 AM
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SOK7,

"Is winning this battle worth losing our friends in the Communion?"

I'm afraid that with friends like that, you don't need enemies - or monsters.

Regards.

Posted by: Norrie Hoyt | May 25, 2007 9:43 AM
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Sok7, Mark, E Fav
You all make good points. Bishop Robinson has offered himself as a sort of sacrifice for the statement the liberal wing of the church was ready to make. I don't know whether he would prefer a quieter or more private life, but he's swimming in the deep end now.
Although I disagree with what I saw as the coercive agenda of those who engineered his election, I do think it took personal courage and strong conviction to put himself out there.

Posted by: Viejita del oeste | May 25, 2007 1:38 AM
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Maybe all the American bishops should not go to Lambeth? After all, Bishop Robinson could not have been elected without them.

They're all at fault, Damn it! Throw the bums out!

Posted by: E favorite | May 24, 2007 10:35 PM
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Aren't we treating Lambeth as an idol? Render to Ceasar that which is Ceasar and to God that which is God's. Bishop Robinson can now stay in Manchester NH and spend more time fighting for peace and justice.

Posted by: Mark | May 24, 2007 10:10 PM
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i dont think we should try to force our opinions on anyone. nor they on us. we have a duly elected bishop who they dont like. i personally dont care that much for some of them, but i wouldnt vote to exclude them. as much as i try, i honestly do find it difficult to love them though.
not so with susan russell, who is fantastic. thank you
may God bless us all
bigots, gays, poor insignificant parishoners, namby pamby archbishops and all
doug puryear
santa fe

Posted by: douglas a puryear | May 24, 2007 9:13 PM
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The problem facing the Episcopal Church is that the farther you go from Scripture, the harder it will be for the Church to find a consensus of opinion. And know before you quote “inasmuch…” that not everyone sees homosexual marriage as being the same level of oppression as the starving children of India or AIDS ravaged Africa. Know that Paul and Moses would say that it is not.

Just as the liberal Episcopal majority has used its numbers to step on the concerns of the conservative Episcopal minority, the conservative Anglican majority has begun to step on you. You speak of tolerance but practice it unevenly. Surely you knew that there would be no consensus of opinion on this matter.

My mother taught me that how you do a thing is as important as the outcome. This is true especially in relationships. The Anglican Communion is upset because the Episcopal Church blatantly disregarded the consensus agreed to at the Lambeth Conference of 1998. The consensus we got wasn’t the consensus we wanted and so we said ‘the hell with it’ and did what we wanted. I think an arrogant attitude like this would make me mad too. It does not sound like the action of someone who wants to be my friend or respects my opinion.

Susan, the other things you mention are the AIDS pandemic, malaria, and Darfur. Surely you know that disagreements concerning human sexuality have diverted the Episcopal Church’s focus away from these issues for over a decade now. Episcopalians are not and will not be welcome in many parts of Africa and Asia so long as our focus is on forcing the issue of homosexuality against the consensus. The conservative world majority does not like to be forced from their opinions any more than the liberal American minority does. And if you are not welcome, you will not be a part of the solution.

Can we be civil to one another?
Is winning this battle worth losing our friends in the Communion?

Posted by: sok7 | May 24, 2007 9:05 PM
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Truly a sad day for our beloved Anglican Communion. Will it get any worse before things turn around and get better? Or is it the beginning of the end? I wish I could feel more optimistic!

Posted by: Donald M Stitt | May 24, 2007 7:42 PM
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Amen. What a simple, powerful, and eloquent statement.

Posted by: Steve | May 24, 2007 5:49 PM
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I feel sickened by the exclusion of Bishop Robinson. It is such an assault. I cannot imagine how people can understand the Gospel and the teachings of Jesus in a way that is so hurtful. I pray for all of us now at this time.

Posted by: Dina Fulgoni | May 24, 2007 5:43 PM
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As usual, Susan hits the nail (or would that be "mitre"?) right on the head. Couldn't be said better.

Posted by: The Rev. David Charles Walker | May 24, 2007 4:57 PM
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The Archbishop deserves the Jerry Falwell Award for bigotry.

Posted by: Jim Patterson | May 24, 2007 4:54 PM
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