Update from Bishops’ Conference, ‘Human Sexuality in the context of Christian Belief’
The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Conference ‘Human Sexuality in the context of Christian Belief’ for members of the Church’s General Synod began today (Friday 9 March 2012) at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co Cavan.
The intention of the conference is to examine the teaching of scripture, the current stance of the Church of Ireland, and contemporary understanding of the nature of human sexuality. (The conference is not a meeting of the General Synod and no formal decisions will be taken at it; to facilitate a free exchange of views and to encourage respectful listening it is not open to the public or media.) Approximately 450 Synod members are attending, along with a number of ecumenical guests.
Following introductions to the conference by the Archbishop of Armagh, The Most Revd Alan Harper, and the Archbishop of Dublin, The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, the conference began at 4.15pm with the first of a number of round–table discussions and a biblical exploration of an Old Testament text, led by The Most Revd Richard Clarke, bishop of Meath and Kildare (Genesis 2. 15–25). Further biblical explorations will be held tomorrow by The Rt Revd Harold Miller, bishop of Down & Dromore, on Gospel texts (Matthew 5:17–48; Matthew 19:3–12; Matthew 25:31–46; John 4:1–54), and by The Rt Revd Ken Clarke, bishop of Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh on Pauline texts (Romans 1:8–32; 1 Corinthians 1:1–20).
Following a period of worship and an evening meal, storytellers conveyed generously their personal experiences from gay perspectives, in an effort to bring first–hand clarity to the debate in hand, followed by the running of seminar sessions (which will continue tomorrow to allow delegates to participate in a number of these).
Seminars:
Handling conflict in the Church The Revd Doug Baker – who was a consultant to the Church of Ireland’s Hard Gospel Committee and who teaches on reconciliation at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute on handling conflict in Church contexts – led a session on this theme. He said: ‘In our church structures at denominational, diocesan and parish level we need to find safe and helpful ways to open up dialogue on contentious subjects. As individuals we need to recognise some of the factors which limit our ability or willingness to understand and exist with those who see issues differently to ourselves. In particular, we need to explore the difference between debate and dialogue – and learn how to move more toward dialogue ourselves and, as leaders, adopt practical skills to help others in doing so. Above all, we need to affirm and live out the understanding that the church is a place where we can disagree and hold hands at the same time.’
Legal aspects relating to recent legislative changes Mrs Ethne Harkness and Judge Catherine McGuinness led sessions on legal aspects of the issue involving recent changes and to define ‘where we are’ in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Mrs Harkness reported that since 2005 some 600 civil partnerships have been registered in Northern Ireland. She outlined the relevant legislation and current proposals for change in the law applying in other UK jurisdictions. In addition, human rights and equality legislation were discussed with particular reference to recent cases involving civil partnership and sexual orientation.
Judge Catherine McGuinness outlined how the legislation providing for civil partnership in the Republic of Ireland, the Civil Partnership Act 2010 which came into force on 1st January 2011, is broadly similar to that in Northern Ireland, the main difference being that it provides only for same–sex couples. While it is a relatively recent development it has met with general public acceptance, she said. By 14th February 2012 536 couples from 25 of the 26 counties had entered into civil partnerships. At the seminar attention was drawn to the differences between the two jurisdictions and to the context of the enactment of the 2010 Act in the general framework of the Constitution of Ireland. The rights of civil partners and persons of differing sexual orientation under Irish equality legislation were considered, together with general human rights issues. Reference was made to the possibility of provision being made for gay marriage.
Scientific perspectivesBishop Jana Jeruma–Gringberga, bishop of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain and co–moderator of the Anglican Lutheran Society, and the Revd Dr Andrew Goddard led a seminar on the science and psychology of same–sex attraction and gender determination.
Theological/Hermeneutical backgroundThis seminar was led by The Revd Dr William Olhausen, rector of Killiney Parish, Ballybrack, and the Very Revd Dr Stephen White, Dean of Killaloe in Co Clare. Dr Olhausen offered the reflection: ‘Hermeneutics is concerned with understanding. Christian belief has its own sources for reaching understanding. These include the witness of Scripture, the successive interpretations of Scripture through time, the history of theological reflection and the nature of the world as understood by science. There has been a presumption that the received wisdom from these sources points towards the belief that sex belongs properly within the context of a marriage between one man and one woman. The opportunity before us is to revisit the tradition and renew our conversation with one another in a spirit of love and truth.’
The Very Revd Dr Stephen White offered: ‘The hermeneutic problem is two–fold. First, given that our theological thinking is rooted in scripture, how do we regard those scriptures – as an eternally binding set of texts or a cultural–specific texts which may need to be re–interpreted in any given generation? And secondly, along with scripture, what thing, things, or combination of things are we trying to interpret – doctrine, modern psychology, genetics, cultural and relational factors? Also, how do we interpret such things as the fall, original sin and guilt? Importantly in all of this we will need to find a theological hermeneutic of listening and valuing the ‘other’ – perhaps the person of Jesus might help us here, and also the input of philosophers such as Simone Weil and Iris Murdoch with their concept of “attention” to the other.’
A pastoral response to welcoming gay people in churchThis seminar was led by the Revd Dr Bryan Follis, rector of All Saints’ Church, Belfast and the Revd Brian O’Rourke, rector of St Anne’s Church, Shandon in Cork (recognised as an ‘inclusive church’ by Changing Attitude UK and Changing Attitude Ireland).
Dr Follis described how he believes that homosexuality ‘is wrong as it is contrary to nature and to God’s revealed will’. However, in his church, he seeks to care for and support people with homosexual orientation in a way which reflects the love of Jesus Christ and is also faithful to God’s truth. Thus, while he publicly opposes the agenda of the gay lobby, he and his wife minister in friendship to individual gay people.
The Revd Brian O’Rourke said: ‘I think the most important pastoral concern is for the church to work out that gay people require exactly the same level of pastoral care and human dignity as any other human being. This means the same level of respect for their spirituality and faith and for their loving relationships based on moral and sexual ethics equal to marriage. The implication of this for the church is a re–examination of teaching and theology to examine those parts which explicitly or implicitly treat LGB&T people as less than others.’
Parental perspectivesTwo sets of parents spoke from their own experiences. One set, Dr Paul and Mrs Margaret Rowlandson, talked about their experiences as parents of a gay daughter. Margaret spoke about the experience of what it feels like for parents when a child ‘comes out’, and the concerns that parents feel for their child’s future, whether gay or straight. Paul talked about how their daughter’s homosexuality did not pose any sort of challenge to their Anglican religious beliefs, and discussed the issue of ‘picking and choosing’ from the Scriptures.
Gay clergy – ‘can we agree to disagree agreeably?’The Revd Barry Forde, Church of Ireland Chaplain at Queen’s University Belfast, and the Revd Canon Virginia (Ginnie) Kennerley, editor of the Church of Ireland Journal Search and chairperson of Changing Attitude Ireland, led a seminar on this theme.
Canon Kennerley reflected: ‘If we are to disagree agreeably, we have to recognise that those from whom we differ are conscientious fellow Christians, trying, as we all are, to discern God’s will in this area. But if we seek to impose our will and our limited understanding on those who see things differently we are “playing God”. Gay clergy have been ministering effectively in the Church of Ireland for many years, but mostly in secret for fear of expulsion. The hypocrisy involved is intolerable. Only by agreeing that, as we work towards deeper discernment of God’s will, such clergy can be accepted by parishes without interference from other dioceses, can we hope to learn to disagree agreeably.’
The Revd Barry Forde said: ‘Genuine differences on human sexuality have, unfortunately, produced very fractious and hurtful divisions across the Anglican Communion. What does this mean for the Church of Ireland, not just within the Communion, but within itself? The seminar title admits to disagreement, and we must consider how deep this goes. It begs us to consider the implications for the church, with the integrity of an “imperfect peace” being stretched possibly beyond breaking point. It is our honest, open, and heartfelt plea that the Church affirms its current teaching, and that with compassion, patience, and a willingness to listen, we all seek the love and support of one another on the journey of bringing the whole of our lives, including our sexuality, under Christ.’
The conference will conclude tomorrow (Saturday 10th March) at 5.00pm.
(This article first appeared on the Church of Ireland website)