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August 14, 1998
A letter to the Episcopal Church
My brothers and
sisters in Christ:
As your Presiding Bishop and Chief Pastor
I write you as the LambethConference of Anglican bishops has just
concluded in Canterbury,England. On one of the final days of the
conference, I called together our House of Bishops for a time of
prayer. Our chaplain, the Rev. Martin Smith, Superior of the Society
of St. John the Evangelist, observed that it is as if the bishops
have each taken mental photographs of the conference that have yet
to be placed in the developing solution. Our negatives must be
processed. During these next days of quiet I will
begin to put in
perspective and process in prayer the gathering of bishops. I will
have more to say in the autumn, and also look forward to
sharing
impressions with other bishops after they too have had time
for
reflection.
However, I write now with a pastoral word,
knowing that many in ourchurch are concerned about the vote of the
conference on sexuality. Iwant to assure you all of my continuing
concern for and commitment toall members of the Episcopal Church who
recognize themselves as gay and lesbian.
For me,
homosexuality is not primarily a cause or an issue: it is a matter
of men and women I know, respect and love, and whose lives bearample
witness to the fruits of the Spirit as enumerated in Galatians 5:22.
It is about people with whom I have shared ministry and friendship,
whose many gifts have enriched my life and continue to bless and up
build the Church.
Though the Lambeth Conference is not a
legislative body, each of thefour subject "sections" brought forth
"resolutions" which were debatedand voted in plenary. A resolution
on sexuality was brought forward bythe section working on this
topic.
Their resolution was based on the careful report they
had crafted overmore than two weeks of intense conversations. This
group of persons ofwidely diverse opinions opened themselves to show
one another the deep sense of the action of God in their lives and
particular circumstances,and offered to the conference the fruits of
their efforts. Their resolution was amended during the plenary
discussions.
I chose to abstain during the vote. I did so
because I found parts of the resolution positive both in tone and
content, particularly when considered in relationship to the nuances
of the report on which it is based. At the same time, I took
exception to other parts and believe that we must explore more fully
the whole question of what is compatible and "incompatible with
Scripture." It must be noted that faithful persons in our church,
who see themselves as under the authority of Scripture, do not all
interpret the Bible in the same way.
It is my hope and prayer
that the Lambeth resolution commitment "tolisten to the experience
of homosexual persons" will lead to a broaderconversation which will
more fully reveal God's lived word of grace atwork in the lives of
gay and lesbian Anglican Christians.
In the days ahead, I
will do everything I can to foster a climate of frank and respectful
conversation which will allow different points of view to address
and hear one another, not only within our own Episcopal Church, but
more widely in the Anglican Communion.
With the prayer that
the Spirit of Truth will guide us, and with gratitude for the life
we share as members of Christ's risen body, I am
Yours in
Christ,
Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
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