There's never a dull moment, especially when it comes to Church, faith and the numerous personal and collective interpretations of Sacred Scripture. 

The storm we heard across the "big pond" was the voices of the Anglican Primates who had gathered in England to discuss a number of matters, in particular, the Episcopal Church in the U.S. and our decision to create a religious service for same-sex weddings in conjunction with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to allow same-sex marriage as the law of the land.  We heard our Anglican kin loud and clear.  However, our disapproval and disappointment is just as palpable and audible. 

My fears came to fruition.  My heart wanted to believe one thing but my mind was telling me that rather negative news was to come our way from this Anglican gathering.  Do note:  this was not an official gathering of the Anglican Communion.  Rather, it was an invitation by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Primates to come to England, pray and "talk about" some issues that the Church is facing.  The years of hard and demanding work that was invested by our U.S. Church in response to the call of embracing our LGBT community who wish to marry the person they love -- fully and without exception -- was at the center of the storm.  The issue of sexuality and the role of women in the Church has been a sticking point between ourselves here in the States and Canada and our Anglican family in parts of Europe, Asia and Africa.  Now, know this:  we -- the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and St. Nicholas in particular -- are not going to change our stance.  We are not going to retract our practice, our commitment, our decision of inviting a couple who wishes to marry, regardless of who they may be to marry in our Church.  We will openly and loving welcome all God's people to our community and encourage our sisters to aggressively and actively engage in all facets of ministry, including ordination.  We are not inclined to go backwards after so much progress and forward movement has been made.  Our belief is that we are in keeping with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ that all are to be welcomed into the faith; all are part of the body of Christ and members of His Church, Our Church and the Sacraments are our active expression of our Faith and are available for all to share and receive.

Remember, it was not too terribly long ago that a black person could not marry a white person in this country.  Logic and compassion overwhelmed and over-rode the ignorance of such bigotry and hateful thinking.  Our sisters in faith, they who believed they were called to active ministry in the Episcopal Church and sought ordination was long in coming.  Eventually and with the Holy Spirit which guided and directed, the Church opened her doors and these women paved the way and began the march to the altar for our sister clergy today.   I have no doubt that in time and in communion with what our U.S. Episcopal Church has ordained, the Anglican Communion across the ocean and throughout the world will come to see the Light and join us in our belief, in our practice and in our commitment to truly welcome all God's people, without reservation, without hesitation and without restriction...period.

Let us pray that this decision does not cause any additional pain to so many of our sisters and brothers who already endured years of rejection because of sexual identity.  Let us continue to pray for our Anglican Church throughout the world for their well being, growth and survival.  Let us pray that the Anglican Church throughout the world take serious the mandate of welcoming all people who wish to engage in the Sacraments without any prejudice measured against them because of who they are. 

The U.S. Episcopal Church dwells in a life-sustaining Light.  Let us hope that the Light in which we are bathed leads the Anglican Church out of the darkness they have chosen. The flood gates of compassion and full acceptance has been opened.  Let the waters flow freely and let us all ride on in peace, unity and harmony.  This is what God wants of God's children: that discrimination in any way, shape or form is defeated, once for all, is it not? 

Lastly, I wish to thank all who vocally and in prayer joined in the rather lively conversations we had at our weekend liturgies.  Again, the St. Nicholas family spoke loudly, clearly and with compassion.  We stand united.  How wonderful is that!

Amen.

 

-Manny

Every family has internal disagreements.  Some of these disagreements are minor and are resolved quickly and permanently.  Other issues are harder to resolve and take far more time because of the serious nature and matter of these disagreements.

We are experiencing -- the Episcopal Church in the U.S. and the Anglican Church of which we are part -- a rather serious disagreement on the issue of same-sex marriage, Church teaching and Scriptural interpretation and the role of women in the Church.

I've attached a video from our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, an article directly from the BBC, and our diocesan bishop's response.  I hope these will help explain and clarify just what has happened and how it will affect the Episcopal Church in America and in particular, the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. 

As Reported by the BBC:

Anglican leaders have barred a liberal US branch from decision-making for allowing same-sex marriage.

Anglicans have been divided on the issue since the US Episcopal Church ordained an openly gay bishop in 2003.

Leaders said the church's stance was a "fundamental departure" from the faith of the majority in what is the world's third largest Christian denomination.

But Episcopal leaders said the three-year bar, which aims to prevent a formal schism, "will bring real pain".

'Fundamental departure'

The decision - made at a four-day meeting of 39 Anglican primates in Canterbury - means the Church will be suspended from participating in the life and work of the Anglican Communion, the BBC's religious correspondent Carol Wyatt said.

A statement from the primates at the meeting says that the church should "no longer represent us on ecumenical and interfaith bodies, should not be appointed or elected to an internal standing committee and that while participating in the internal bodies of the Anglican Communion, they will not take part in decision making on any issues pertaining to doctrine or polity".

More than 100 senior Anglicans had urged the Church of England to repent for "discriminating" against lesbians and gay Christians in an open letter.

However, the Anglican leaders in Canterbury said the Episcopal Church's approval of gay marriage was "a fundamental departure from the faith and teaching" of the majority of Anglicans.

'Uphold marriage'

The Church leaders added that the majority of those gathered at the meeting - which was described as "really tough" - would "reaffirm" the teaching of scripture that "upholds marriage as between a man and a woman".

Those who sent the open letter to the primates ahead of the meeting have expressed "deep hurt" at the result.