Never may the theological and the pastoral be separated.
I know, never say never. But the above stated rule is an exception. Why? Theology is inherently pastoral, and the pastoral is by definition theological.
The recent upheaval within the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA) about “gay Anglicans” stems from ignoring this rule. It was sadly unnecessary, for recent history is strewn with ecclesial examples of exactly the same thing. Invariably, the path to a liberal sexual ethic begins with the argument: “We know the theology. But let’s be pastoral about this.”
The “but” is the problem. It’s just not the case that theology is hard-nosed theory, while concrete circumstances demand gentle pastoral implementation. On such a view, the pastoral tail invariably ends up wagging the theological dog, and the theology gets adjusted to the pastoral setting. The outcome, in terms of sexual morality, is invariably the same.
Anglican leaders condemn Archbishop of Nigeria s anti-LGBTTQ+ message
ANDREW RYAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES
Citing concerns for the safety of LGBTTQ+ Anglicans and others in Manitoba, Geoff Woodcroft, the Bishop of Rupert’s Land, has written a letter of concern to Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the global Anglican Communion.
Citing concerns for the safety of LGBTTQ+ Anglicans and others in Manitoba, Geoff Woodcroft, the Bishop of Rupert’s Land, has written a letter of concern to Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury and head of the global Anglican Communion.
The letter from Woodcroft, sent Thursday, was in response to one issued Feb. 26 by the Anglican Archbishop and Primate of All Nigeria Henry C. Ndukuba, in which he criticized Anglican bishops in the U.S. and Canada for the toleration of same-sex persons within their fold.
05/03/2021
The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria, the Most Reverend Henry C Ndukuba, issued a statement on Friday 26 February 2021 which referred to “the deadly ‘virus’ of homosexuality”. The statement goes on to use phrases like, “[homosexuality] is likened to a Yeast that should be urgently and radically expunged and excised lest it affects the whole dough”. It also states that “secular governments are adopting aggressive campaign for global homosexual culture.” (sic)
I completely disagree with and condemn this language. It is unacceptable.
It dehumanises those human beings of whom the statement speaks.
I have written privately to His Grace The Archbishop to make clear that this language is incompatible with the agreed teaching of the Anglican Communion (expressed most clearly, albeit in unsuitable language for today, in paragraphs c and d of resolution I.10 of the Lambeth Conference 1998). This resolution both restated a traditional view of Ch
Welby Responds to Nkuduba – Episcopal Cafe episcopalcafe.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from episcopalcafe.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Archbishop of Nigeria has issued a statement saying ACNA is following the path of The Episcopal Church in welcoming LGBTQ persons. Adding to the significance of the dispute, the Archbishop of ACNA, Foley Beach, is also the chairman of Gafcon.
ACNA, the Anglican Church in North American, is the affiliation of churches that broke away from the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church and are therefore not members of the Anglican Communion.
Gafcon, the Global Anglican Fellowship Conference, is comprised of groups like ACNA and several conservative provinces of the Anglican Communion alienated from provinces like The Episcopal Church that accept the full and equal rights of LGBTQ persons.