Come and sign the petition for Kizza Musinguzi and Prossy Kakooza, a gay man and a lesbian woman, both active Anglicans, fleeing homophobic persecution in Uganda who are seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.
Visit The Lambeth Conference website for more information.
Click here for further details and to book your FREE tickets. Sponsored by LGCM, Hosted by Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales.
Also, read David B Taylor's essay, Compromise and Schism, as a personal view.
LGCM's exhibition, Seeing Christ in Human Rights, in a prominent place facing one of the entrances to the marketplace, includes an attractive array of pictures of lesbian and gay Christians with Bible verses on various aspects of the Christian faith, and a world map from the International Lesbian and Gay Association showing which countries impose penalties for same-sex partnerships. The human rights situation remains grave in many parts of the world for lesbians and gays among others, and human rights is a key theme of the LGCM display, which includes a powerpoint presentation. While international Anglican gatherings since 1948 have repeatedly affirmed the importance of human rights, many church leaders still have a long way to go in grasping the need to treat all God's children with care and respect.
The first of a succession of daily speakers was social commentator and journalist Theo Hobson, and today's is feminist theologian Linda Hurcombe, while on Wednesday Peter Francis of St Deiniol's Library will be the special guest. Throughout the two weeks that the marketplace is open, a range of issues will be covered.
Some of the sermons and talks since the conference began have had a welcome emphasis on the need for justice and inclusion (including mention of sexual orientation), and careful listening, and the structure encourages bishops to spend time listening to one another. But the regrettable exclusion of Bishop Gene Robinson - though he is present on campus - has weakened the ability of bishops to hear first-hand what it is to lead an openly gay life in the context of a loving and supportive relationship, ministering to a diocese. And (probably not only for security reasons) communication by groups, and contact with the outside world, has not been made easy for the bishops. This is particularly hard on those from less prosperous dioceses who do not have their own laptops and perhaps are not even on email, or reliant on diocesan staff to facilitate communication for them. This does not foster listening to the wider people of God, so important if bishops are to be truly servants not masters.
There is also the prospect of a Covenant which would undermine such attentive listening in the future, especially if this leads bishops to feel moved by the Spirit to act to include those previously pushed to the margins.
Ongoing work and prayers will be needed if the 2008 Lambeth Conference is to be most fruitful in advancing the realm of God on earth, and witnessing to Christ's self-giving love for all.
Savitri Hensman
Gisela Mann
Gisela Mann Photography
See also: Gisela's LGBT Christian gallery. 'Gods Glorious Riches'
Today, Anglican bishops attending the Lambeth Conference took part in an anti-poverty walk with other faith leaders through central London. They called on world leaders to keep the promise to deliver the Millennium Development Goals and halve poverty by 2015. This is a goal which many people share, but there are huge challenges.
The bishops assembled in Whitehall Place, and walked past the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. The London Borough of Westminster is a borough of contrasts, where wealth and power can be found side-by-side with hardship and insecurity. In imposing buildings, bankers, business leaders, politicians and civil servants are busy making decisions which will affect the lives of millions whom they have never met. Meanwhile low-paid workers - many of them migrants - are also at work, often scraping together their meagre savings to help support family members and friends ‘back home’, while near-destitute asylum-seekers wait fearfully for officials to decide on their future. Many are survivors of political purges, ethnic cleansing, brutal sexism (often including rape) or homophobia, and must struggle to convince the authorities of the reality of their experience, so far removed from the glossy façade found in promotional films and travel agents’ brochures. Statues of military heroes loom above passers-by, a reminder of the horror as well as heroism of war, and the violence which underpins much of the status quo.
All too often in this part of London, deals are done which favour the shareholders of huge corporations as well as some members of the elites of Asia, Africa and Latin America but do few favours to the most oppressed and marginalised in these countries. For church leaders in the West as well as the South, there is a tension between not offending the most wealthy worshippers and donors or alienating the authorities which control a range of functions from taxation to planning permission, and which can assist or obstruct faith communities, and prophetically challenging the systems which impoverish and repress so many. It is all too easy to agree to intentions with which few would disagree - a cleaner environment, drinkable water, better child nutrition and so forth - without delving too deeply into the causes.
Moreover, few bishops are specialists in social science or economics. Attention to the findings of those who have researched these issues, as well as to the voices of the poor and displaced (largely women), and recognition of the ways in which people’s position in society affects their viewpoint, are also needed if effective action is to be taken. Being a good teacher and pastor sometimes means being a good student, and unfortunately this is not a quality that all in the Anglican Communion value. Yet some bishops have done excellent work in drawing attention to issues of justice, at some risk to themselves as well as the church’s standing among the most prosperous and powerful, true followers of the way of the Cross, and this deserves to be acknowledged.
The bishops and others walking with them crossed the River Thames to Lambeth Palace. While it is common to assume that all in the West are prosperous, some parts of the London Borough of Lambeth are among the most deprived in England. There have been various schemes to try to tackle urban poverty in this densely-populated borough, yet all too often the involvement of disadvantaged people themselves in decision-making has been more tokenistic than real, and schemes have had little long-term effect. Nevertheless there are some examples of excellent practice, where commitment, patience and humility by those in positions of authority have paid off and real achievements made.
Lambeth and neighbouring boroughs also home to large numbers of Londoners of African (largely African-Caribbean), Asian and Latin American descent, and the high streets as well as side-alleys display something of the diversity of this city’s population. There are also numerous lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, many of them black, living within half an hour’s walk of Lambeth Palace. The divisions between North and South, East and West are not absolute, and this is evident in much of London, where many people are still deeply engaged with the issues affecting communities ‘back home’. The importance of love for all, involving justice for the despised and oppressed, and willingness to go beneath surface appearances and bland slogans to confront the causes of the poverty and violence that blight the world, will hopefully be reinforced by the walk across London, and the lessons learnt taken back to Canterbury.
Savitri Hensman
Our exhibition Seeing Christ in Human Rights has been widely noticed.
Having this presence is at least some progress. Ten years ago at the last Lambeth Conference LGCM was forbidden any official presence - now we have the best position and the largest space of similar bodies. There are now a multitude of these, in various networks and informal coalitions, taking their message to the Anglican Communion, and we are working closely together.
The irony of this is that although we and similar bodies are, for the first time, inside the metaphorical tent the Archbishop of Canterbury’s exclusion of Bishop Gene Robinson from the formal proceedings has done far more to damage Anglicanism than it has to heal it’s factions. Most of those who did not want him invited are not attending the conference in any case. And the main reason he was not invited was to try and ensure a full attendance. That strategy clearly backfired. The defiant and remarkably good-natured Gene is of course the centre of attention, quite rightly. What else would happen to someone made into a scapegoat?
There are some Bishops present who were also in Jerusalem last month. They can be seen meeting and lobbying to continue their work of undermining the Anglican Communion and could be dubbed the GAFCON-in-Exile caucus, as they are very much where I expect they would wish not to be. But at least they have taken the trouble to attend, unlike 200 others. Although their intentions are malign and divisive, and most try to avoid having any serious conversations with us, they will leave having observed the influence and numerically significant presence of the inclusively minded which should give them pause to reflect on their attempt to take over Anglicanism. It is not there’s for the taking.
Large numbers are signing the petition for Kizza Musinguzi and Prossy Kakooza,in support of their application for asylum in the United Kingdom. Kizza and Prossy are gay Anglicans from Uganda fleeing homophobic persecution and we are supporting their applications.
An increased awareness of human rights policies and their abuses in the Anglican Communion - the large global map at the exhibition making it clear where there are legal penalties and the absence of full human rights affecting lesbian and gay people, and our special Briefings make all this clear.
Reactions to the photo-gallery by Gisella Mann have been very enthusiastic
All Bishops have been sent a copy of Rebuilding Communion: who pays the price? thanks to donations to the Buy a Book for A Bishop campaign.
The daily Special Guests programme got off to a good start on Monday with Theo Hobson on the BBC4 Today programme and a piece in The Guardian The Anglican Communion has never been stranger.
Today we have Bishop Paul Marshall of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA and tomorrow Donn Mitchell and Savi Hensman who have done so much to create the resources for the exhibition.
Distribution by LGCM of the review by Prof Michael King of the sadly flawed book edited by Philip Groves Homosexuality and the Anglican Communion is helping people understand how misguided most of the book is. Some have described it as dangerous; particularly as the objectivity of the editor cannot be beyond question. Michael King suggests that with the exception of two chapters (the stories from lesbian and gay people) readers can 'safely disregard the rest'. The full review is on our website - see below.
Michael King is our guest on 31st July.
Although poorly attended, two seminars by Redeemed Lives and Living Waters UK. These are widely discredited ‘ex-gay’ ministries, with roots in the USA, whose presence in the Market Place, at a University supposedly committed to anti-discrimination and equal opportunities has angered many people, not least as a result of their being targeted by virtue of wearing a rainbow ribbon. Complaints were made and hopefully these predatory ‘healers’ and pedlars of lies, will have learnt to conduct themselves with more respect to other human beings.
Please make a donation to the costs of all this work and hospitality, and come to Peterson Toscano next week if you can.
Richard Kirker at the Lambeth Conference, in Canterbury reporting for LGCM
To some, this may be a sign of the carnality and emotional self-indulgence of Anglicans. Among some ecumenical partners, bishops (and sometimes priests) are required to stay celibate (or pretend to be). But the emotional and sometimes spiritual cost to those clergy without a special calling to celibacy has often been high, and the congregations and dioceses they serve have had to deal with some of the consequences.
The care with which the spouses’ programme has been arranged, and its prominence, is an acknowledgement that, for many Anglican church leaders, their partners are important in their lives and play a crucial role in supporting their ministry. And, as some may recognise, bishops’ own calling may involve supporting that of their partner too.
‘Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?’ (Ecclesiastes 4.9-11). Friendship and intimacy are important themes in the Bible, including the Gospels’ portrayal of Jesus. Loving everyone does not mean not loving and relying on some people in particular ways. This applies to single people and those in monastic or equivalent communities, but for many Christians a close one-to-one partnership with a ‘significant other’ is of great importance.
At times of great joy and sorrow, in sharing the responsibilities of caring for one another and children, sick or frail relatives and neighbours in need, in praying and growing together, partners may turn to and nurture one another. Church leadership can be a lonely place, also sometimes with the risk of being placed on a pedestal, without someone who can speak the truth in love and be a trustworthy companion in the journey of life and faith. It is not only wealthy and secure people for whom this matters - for those who live amidst poverty or persecution, tenderness and intimacy may be even more important than for those who are materially secure.
It is all the more surprising that, in discussions of human sexuality, those who emphasise the importance of family life often speak as if, for lesbians and gays, this is a trivial matter. After all, Christians are called to love God and neighbour - why should such a big deal be made of never enjoying the closeness others take for granted, or having to conceal such a relationship? Yet, as the Lambeth spouses’ programme signifies, such things do matter - and isolation and misery not matters to which the God whose nature is love can ever be indifferent.
Certainly theological debate on what forms of relationship are most conducive to emotional and spiritual growth, and mutual support in seeking God’s realm on earth, are important. But, when some people appear to dismiss lesbians’ and gays’ wish for openness without even considering the impact of enforced celibacy (or the pretence of this), let alone all the in-depth work that has gone on around what Scripture, tradition and reason can teach about how human and divine love are connected, this is out of keeping with what is best at Lambeth.
Savitri Hensman
Above left, is Peterson Toscano, and right, LGCM's Sharon Ferguson
This was brought home to me powerfully by Peterson Toscano’s performances, as part of the Fringe programme on the campus at Canterbury where the Anglican Bishops are gathered for the Lambeth Conference. In a very funny, and at times deeply moving, one-man show, he shared something of his spiritual journey, bringing to life some of the characters he met on his way. This included seventeen years in the ‘ex-gay’ movement, where he tried all manner of ways to rid himself of his sexuality, sometimes profoundly damaging. In the end, like so many other ‘ex-gay’ survivors, he came to realise that he was on a futile quest. Fortunately his profound love of God meant that he could not let go of Christianity, and he moved on to a deeper, more mature faith grounded in a more authentic relationship with the Divine and with his neighbours.
The Bible too featured prominently in his show, and there was an amusing reminder of the role of sexual minorities, so often overlooked. There were opportunities for questions and answers afterwards.
A former leader in the ‘ex-gay’ movement, Jeremy Marks, has brought out a short, carefully-argued and sometimes painfully honest book just in time for Lambeth, Exchanging the truth of God for a lie (published by Courage UK). Jeremy himself has been present on campus, including being a special guest at the LGCM exhibition Seeing Christ in Human Rights. A sensitive pastor who remains a committed evangelical Christian, he came to realise that his attempts to help lesbians and gays to become heterosexual were doing more harm than good.
The book details his journey from a faith marred by self-deception and conformity to human-made norms to one of truthfulness and trust in the living God, even if this results in the disapproval of former associates and church leaders. As in Peterson’s performance, humility, profound spirituality and the desire to know and do God’s will despite the cost come across vividly.
There have been many opportunities at the Lambeth Conference for bishops to learn more about the reality of the lives of LGBT people on which some pronounce so confidently, including those outside the West. For example copies of Rebuilding Communion: who pays the price? were sent by LGCM to all bishops beforehand; Integrity USA and Claiming the Blessing volunteers organised screenings of Voices of Witness: Africa and Changing Attitude Nigeria has worked with others to organise African drumming and dancing on a lawn a well as offering opportunities for dialogue. Those bishops and others willing to listen have perhaps learned something about a spiritual quest shared by all Christians wishing to draw closer to God and be more compassionate to and truthful with those around them.
Savitri Hensman
Communication in a spirit of fellowship and openness is one of the ways the Holy Spirit has been at work in this Conference. It has still sometimes been overly clerical in focus, without enough recognition that heterosexual male bishops cannot generally speak for women, young people, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people and others in their dioceses whose experience is different from their own. The pain of those who suffer not only poverty, and maybe additional insecurity as a result of war or communal conflict, but also exclusion because of their sexuality has not been fully acknowledged. And some ‘conservatives’ are deeply entrenched in their positions. Nevertheless, there have been noteworthy moments over the past couple of weeks when bishops have moved outside their comfort zones to engage with those they might previously have sought to condemn or ignore.
Yet today’s focus was on the development of a Covenant which might rein in some of the diversity within the Anglican Communion, replacing the give and take, healing and challenge of discussion with more rigid structures for ruling on what is permissible and dealing with those who dissent. Archbishop Drexel Gomez of the West Indies, chair of the Covenant Design Group, who for many years has sought structures which would keep the more ‘liberal’ provinces in check, tried to assure the media that the approach being put forward was not really legalistic and that provinces would not lose their freedom. But he failed to convince, and did not fully explain why this kind of Covenant was better than the Covenant for Communion in Mission, commended by the Anglican Consultative Council in 2005 but mysteriously ignored by most primates.
The replacement of dialogue in a spirit of mutuality with legal wrangling, charges and counter-charges and the centralisation of power would be a backward move. It is to be hoped that bishops (including those who are ‘conservative’) recognise the pitfalls of such an approach. Instead, stronger mechanisms to foster understanding and respect despite difference could help to hold Anglicans together and enable churches to live out the good news more effectively.
Savitri Hensman
The front page story in the Guardian on Monday 4 August 2008 was headlined "Archbishop blames liberals for church rift". Here a husband and wife team, both LGCM members respond:
To The Editor, The Guardian,It is hard to see the justification for the Archbishop of Canterbury's allegation that liberals are to blame for the current rift in the Anglican Communion (The Guardian, 4th August). Liberals have come to their current conclusions because they have heeded the calls of previous Lambeth Conference resolutions. The crisis is because many traditionalists have refused to do this. Rather than listen to gay people (Resolutions 1978, 88 and 98), the Church has silenced them. The Resolutions in 1978 and 88 called for deep and dispassionate study 'which would take seriously both the teaching of Scripture and the results of scientific and medical research', yet the Anglican Communion office in London only contacted the Royal College of Psychiatrists for information last year when we personally urged them to do so. Is it any wonder then that some bishops in the Anglican Communion still deny the existence of gay people in their countries? Liberals study the Scriptures but also recognise that the Scriptures have been used to oppress as well as liberate human beings in the past. And whatever happened to the call to Anglican Provinces to assess human rights in relation to homosexual people? - Gloucester Cathedral's memorial to the victims of the Nazi holocaust includes a remembrance of homosexual people alongside others who were targetted, but the targetting of gay victims continues and the Anglican Communion is silent, and some bishops even support such laws in their countries. Only last week a gay Christian from Nigeria was given political asylum in Britain because his life was at risk in his own country.
The admission of Gentiles to the church before official permission was granted was a hotly debated dispute in the early Church, but thank God the Archbishop did not chair the meeting in Jerusalem that discussed it - we might not have a Church at all today!
Rev Gillian Cooke and Dr Alan Sheard [This letter was published on 6 August 2008 more or less as submitted]
This campaign is now concluded - with much appreciation to to those who contributed.
We had two PowerPoint presentations running at the stall: one on "Famous Anglicans" and the other on "Proclaiming Human Rights".