The latest is instructive indeed. Gauleiter Akinola, witch-doctor superior of Nigeria, that well-known country marked by its awareness of womens equality, freedom from government corruption, and peaceful co-operation, has suggested that the Church of England should be suspended from the Anglican Communion.
Now, in itself, this is amusing indeed. The ANGLICan Comnunion is defined simply by being affiliated to Canterbury, and if your church looks towards Canterbury, then it is Anglican. If it splits from Canterbury, it isn't Anglican. Nothing much more to it that that.
This is the latest in a series of threats and promises that a significant number of provinces, probably a majority of the world's Anglicans, will be moving away from Canterbury and starting their own denomination. This time, the CofE's inadequate and cowardly response to civil partnership legislation and its application to clergy members has been swooped upon. I don't think I have met anyone on any side of the argument who sees this as anything other than a dog's dinner. Its a compromise which will please no-one.
Isn't it clear that the Anglican Communion would be better off splitting - and , indeed, the Church of England too? But there is a lot of pride involved. Perhaps if people sat down and looked honestly at the situation, some sort of agreed split might take place, but it looks as if some are planning to walk in any case.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
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2 comments:
Hi Mike
> "It makes me sick. They have to explain what they mean by being married and having no sex. This is the final nail in the coffin of the entire Anglican Communion".
hmmm
my understanding is that under church law and indeed the laws of england a marriage has to be consumated, though only once.
perhaps you are right Mike, maybe it will prove to be a comprimise that suits no one.
lets go down the spanish route, total homosexual/hetrosexual equality and call the civil partnership a marriage.
and have other legal structures as well for couples who did not want a marriage.
though it might have to be consumated. Hopefully much more than once.....
blessed be
Bluebell
Of course, colloquially, it will be called marriage, because that is what it is. And I feel sure this will, in time, be reflected in the civil law.
The church may take longer to catch up, but at least if Gauleiter Akinola and the rest of the fundies decamp to their own church, it might at least give us some chance of progress.
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