Homosexuality

I write from South America and it is my privilege with colleagues in the Southern Cone to serve Christ among people of widely varying but mainly traditional background.

For us here the issue of the church and homosexuality, as it is reported in the Anglican press in Britain, Canada and the United States, makes strange reading.

We want to learn about sensitive pastoral care and authentic outreach in mission to homosexual persons and communities. What concerns us is the disproportionate influence of single pressure groups in the 'North' and the apparent willingness in some areas of Anglican influence to accept, without reference to the understanding and convictions of the whole Communion as a whole, innovations in teaching and discipline relating to homosexual practice.

This can have negative consequences for Anglican churches in other societies.

As a representative of one Province with a strong commitment to our world-wide relationships and witness to the Gospel, I plead the cause of internal unity on this issue, based upon loyalty to Scripture and its proper applications to this aspect of sexual behaviour.

Those most influenced by the cultural an philosophical assumptions of the modern and post-modern 'North' badly need the corrective of Christians less conditioned by the idea that this can be treated merely as a matter of private choice, human rights or equal opportunity.

The issue of the Church's teaching on homosexuality is bound to feature in the 1998 Lambeth Conference. What I believe is required before this event is a careful and balanced inter-cultural study on sexuality in the light of Scripture, and then patient and thoroughly orthodox definition and guidance relevant and adequate for the whole Communion. Is it too late to ask for this? I don't think so.

In any case, unilateral and less measured alternatives will ultimately help no one, whatever their theological or pastoral view on sexuality may be: neither those who minister no those who seek and need ministry.

The Most Rev Maurice Sinclair
Presiding Bishop,
Province of the Southern Cone of America