So, really, are
we here again? The homosexual debate in the church rearing it's head again, largely thanks to the media. And I don’t mean that to sound derogatory to those fighting
for gay-rights either within or outside of the church, but this latest statement is
not news, as has been reported by many, except for the general media who think
it is some kind of major step….
So, for
the confused (including myself), here is a round up of where I think the church
stands on the issue of homosexuality within the Clergy (Vicars & Deacons) and
episcopate (Bishops).
(And if I’m
wrong, please correct me…!)
So, some
years ago the church issued a report entitled ‘Issues in Human Sexuality: a
statement by the House of Bishops’ which covers various aspects of sexuality. Part
of it, relating to Homosexuality can be seen here. Or the full
booklet can be ordered online here. The report includes
a detailed and thoughtful look at the issues surrounding homosexuality and
whether it can be deemed acceptable within the Christian tradition as a whole. The report
basically says that as Christians we should love and embrace each other,
whatever our sexual orientation and that people should not be defined alone by
their sexual orientation. It states that God clearly uses people and gifts
people who are homosexuals and we should value them equally with heterosexuals. However it also
states that the church cannot accept a homosexual relationship on the same
level as a heterosexual one, as God intended a man and woman to come together,
according to the bible.
In terms of
clergy (as a summing up) it says this:
We have therefore to say in our considered judgment the clergy cannot claim the liberty to enter into sexually active homophile relations. Because of the distinctive nature of their calling, status and consecration, to allow such a claim on their part would be seen as placing their way of life in all respects on a par with heterosexual marriage as a reflection of Gods purposes in creation. The church cannot accept such a parity and remain faithful to the insights which God has given it through scripture, tradition and reasoned reflection on experience.
However it
also says that we cannot assume that two people who chose to live together are
therefore in an erotic relationship. And that it is the practice of the Church
to trust its members and therefore it would not carry out intrusive
interrogations. And that whilst the church would wish to avoid scandal so long
as there is no occasion for scandal, people will be left alone. And on those
in the clergy who do come out:
We call upon all clergy to live lives that respect the churches teaching and we shall do everything in our power to help them do so…
So there we
are. You can be a homosexual within the church (practicing or not) and be
embraced. You can be a homosexual in the clergy (not practicing, ie: celibate)
and be embraced. But you are not allowed to be a practicing homosexual within
the clergy. However you can live with another person of the same sex (including
a partner) so long as you are not in an erotic relationship with them.
In 2005 with
the invention of the Civil Partnership a further statement was made which can
be seen here. The Press
Release includes this paragraph:
The ambiguity over the nature of a commitment in a Civil Partnership also informs the statements attitude to clergy. ‘The House of Bishops,’ it says, ‘does not regard entering into a civil partnership as intrinsically incompatible with holy orders, provided the person concerned is willing to give assurances to his or her bishop that the relationship is consistent with the standards for the clergy set out in Issues in Human Sexuality.
And this:
What needs to be recognized,’ says the House of Bishops’ statement, ‘is that the Church’s teaching on sexual ethics remains unchanged.
In July 2011
the House of Bishops announced that a review of the 2005 statement would be
undertaken.
The review will include examination of whether priests in Civil Partnerships should be eligible for appointment as bishops....
Secondly, the House has committed itself to a wider look at the Church of England's approach to same-sex relationships more generally in the light of the listening process launched by the Lambeth Conference in 1998. The Bishops will produce a consultation document in 2013. The House's decision is motivated by a desire to help shape the continuing debate constructively and not by any view about what the outcome should be.
So at this
stage clergy are ‘allowed’ to be in civil partnerships but will not be eligible
to be considered for the episcopate (Bishops) until the review has taken place
but the report did say this:
This latest statement (4th Jan) as far as I can see, just clarifies that the position laid out in the existing statements from the House of Bishops, is the same for those in the episcopate as the clergy.
So there we are. Clear as mud?
The General Synod decided to amend the clergy pension scheme to improve the provision for the surviving civil partners of clergy who have died.
Which shows an official acceptance of
clergy in civil partnerships if nothing else.
The January 2013 statement can be seen here. The Press Release says this:
The House of Bishops' Pastoral Statement on Civil Partnerships issued in 2005 did not address specifically whether clergy who entered such partnerships should be considered for the episcopate. What the House has now done, following the work undertaken by the group chaired by the Bishop of Sodor and Man set up last year, is to look at the matter again last month...
The House has confirmed that clergy in civil partnerships, and living in accordance with the teaching of the Church on human sexuality, can be considered as candidates for the episcopate. There had been a moratorium on such candidates for the past year and a half while the working party completed its task.
The House believed it would be unjust to exclude from consideration for the episcopate anyone seeking to live fully in conformity with the Church's teaching on sexual ethics or other areas of personal life and discipline.
All candidates for the episcopate undergo a searching examination of personal and family circumstances, given the level of public scrutiny associated with being a bishop in the Church of England. But these, along with the candidate's suitability for any particular role for which he is being considered, are for those responsible for the selection process to consider in each case.
So what does
that actually mean? Well, actually it means that really nothing has changed
since the 2005 statement ‘Issues in Human Sexuality’. Which states that if you
are within the clergy or episcopate the church does not allow you to be in a practicing
homosexual relationship. Of course
there are clergy who are openly gay and in long term relationships who will
undoubtedly continue to challenge the churches position and as the 2005 report
states they are quite entitled to do so. (point 5.15 in 2005 statement) although
it also says that they are not free to go against it in their own practice. However,
to my limited knowledge I don’t think anyone has been removed from their post
because they have gone against this – but feel free to correct me.