Church of the Word
PLEASE DEAL WITH REALITY

TLC this week

Please Deal with Reality
05/08/2005

By James Workman

A recent New Yorker cartoon has one woman saying to another, “I’m doing much better now that I’m living in denial again.” Humor noir! I believe our Church is in desperate need of overcoming denial about our situation. The editorial, “Bishops’ Statement Buys More Time” [TLC, April 10], apart from five words in the last sentence, was the most realistic one-page analysis I’ve seen.

The five words — “change of mind and heart” — seem to reveal TLC’s prescription for resolution, but any candid, clear-thinking person would have to agree that the covenant, at its effective best, only “bought some time.”

If we truly hope to remain in the Anglican Communion, the language of compliance in the covenant may turn out to be distinctly unhelpful at General Convention 2006. If we do not hear reality clearly described by our leaders, we will be ill prepared to face it. The editorial’s critique shows that the covenant may leave us stuck in neutral straddling the railroad tracks. Most of the bishops issuing statements on the covenant have glossed over the depth of the crisis in regard to the Communion. Our Presiding Bishop cites a “diverse center” and continues to assure us that all will be well. Are the people in the center, especially General Convention lay deputies, being adequately prepared for the choices we face?

The Diocese of Virginia has shown its people the gravity of our situation. The report of its Reconciliation Commission is a stark contrast to most statements by bishops on our situation: “... profound differences have arisen ...” “... two markedly different worldviews at either end of the spectrum ... are not likely to change significantly.” “... many in the church are stuck in a ‘level 5 conflict’ [definition supplied].” “... we cannot avoid the difficult question: ‘Can we continue to live together?’” “... the answer may ultimately be ‘No’....” (The Virginia report). This was from a balanced commission in a centrist diocese.

We are possibly facing the traumatic break-up of congregations, dioceses, the national Church, and the Communion. The human toll among those who are not warriors at heart could be immense. While some militants at both ends of the spectrum may be saying, “Bring it on,” thousands would be shattered by conflicts at every level.

If a bookmaker laid odds on our crisis, as many did on the election of a pope, I wouldn’t put money on our General Convention meeting the requests that would let us remain in good standing with the vast majority of the Anglican Communion.

I could just wait for the fallout from what will likely come and try to help pick up the pieces in my parish. But my fading hope that the Episcopal Church will find an effective way to reconcile with the Anglican Communion moves me to plead for clarity and stark honesty now.

The Rev. James Workman is the rector of St. Michael’s Church, Easley, S.C.

© Copyright 2003 The Living Church Foundation. All rights reserved.

This article comes from The Living Church
http://www.livingchurch.org/

The URL for this story is:
http://www.livingchurch.org/publishertlc/viewarticle.asp?ID=968