by Matthew Davies

Never before have the terms liberal and conservative, orthodox and progressive, right wing and left wing, been so prevalent throughout the Anglican Communion. Times are tense, tempers raging and a serious call for us to question where we are as Anglicans has reared its ugly head. Some say that the elasticity of the Communion is about to snap: the "progressive" wing of the church is pulling out all the collegial stops; the traditionalists are rallying their troops.

However, the Primates' Meeting - beginning for two days on Wednesday - has prompted many lobbying groups and organisations to draft statements in support of an inclusive church.

Last week Changing Attitude, an organisation working for Lesbian and Gay affirmation in the Anglican Church, issued a Global Open Letter urging the Primates of the Anglican Communion "to avoid any course of action which might lead to schism or the fragmentation of the Anglican Communion", and similar statements have emerged since.

On 9 October, an Inclusive Church newsletter announced that "more than six thousand people, over fifty Parochial Church Councils, and over seventy organisations, have publicly committed themselves to support Inclusive Church's Declaration of Belief". The newsletter added, "No longer can any one claim that those of us praying and working for an inclusive Church are in the minority".

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM), an ecumenical group, also disseminated an open letter to the Primates warning that "the danger is from those who wish to force an outmoded method of biblical interpretation which takes no notice of scientific development and a totalitarian model of authority".

It is biblical interpretation that is the driving force behind the entire altercation regarding human sexuality, and the conservative debate is grounded very firmly in the belief that the Bible is the literal key to understanding our standards of existence on homosexuality, whereas others issues, such as divorce, appear to have been side-stepped.

According to an ICM poll commissioned by The Telegraph "more than half of all Church of England worshippers believe that practising homosexuals should be allowed to join the clergy and more than two thirds support the ordination of celibate homosexuals." (Sunday Telegraph 12/10/03)

The Revd Richard Kirker of the LGCM said, "This poll is amazingly good news. It shows the common sense of the ordinary Anglican woman and man in the pew. Many know lesbian and gay clergy and benefit from their loving and sacrificial service."

Claiming the Blessing is an intentional collaborative effort working together to promote wholeness in human relationships, to abolish prejudice and oppression, and to heal the rift between sexuality and spirituality in the Church. In a sermon preached on 28 September, the Revd Susan Russell, Executive Director of Claiming the Blessing, talked about the wideness of God's mercy and the importance of walking in love rather than fear. "We must catch the wave of the publicity that has pointed to the Episcopal Church as a place where everyone is welcome," she said. "We must offer a counter-voice to those seeking schism and promoting division and offer instead a proactive, positive vision of a church with Good News to tell and the will to tell it."

In its mission statement, Claiming the Blessing believe that "full inclusion of all the baptized into the Body of Christ is not an issue that will split the church but is an opportunity that will help grow the church...if we're willing to both claim it and proclaim it."

It has often been felt that global south provinces are the main players when it comes to denouncing homosexual activity throughout the Anglican Communion. Adding a more liberal voice to Uganda, however, a retired Anglican bishop has said it is wrong for the Church of Uganda to sever relationship with the Diocese of New Hampshire over the confirmation of Gene Robinson as its bishop. "Luckily, gays have now entered the annals of history as Bishops," he said. "They are now brought much closer to the love of Christ than they were before and we should not lose this chance."

The Rt Revd Christopher Senyonjo, retired Bishop of West Uganda Diocese, was immediately dropped as the assisting Bishop of Namirembe, for his pro-gay sentiments.

When asked in an interview whether other Ugandan bishops could be a member of Integrity Uganda, Bishop Christopher Senyonjo said, "We enjoy a lot of quiet support and prayer from [our] Bishops - unfortunately they are being intimidated into fear."

The American Anglican Council (AAC) held a conference in Texas last week and issued a text entitled "Call to Action", which repudiated the decisions of the Episcopal Church, USA, to confirm a non-celibate homosexual to be a bishop of the Church, and its acceptance of same-sex blessings as part of our common life. "These actions have broken fellowship with the larger body of Christ and have brought the Episcopal Church under God's judgment," the text stated. "We declare our commitment to the Lord's life-giving teaching about sexuality and marriage embraced by Christians throughout all ages, and as affirmed by the 1998 Lambeth Conference."

Furthermore, the suggestions of realignment and the redirection of funds "away from those structures that support the unrighteous actions of the General Convention" show a very clear message that, for the AAC and its supporters, there are few alternatives when the integrity of scripture is being questioned.

A letter from Trinity Cathedral, Portland, Oregon, sent to Presiding Bishop, Frank T. Griswold, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, affirmed another voice from within the Episcopal Church that is not represented in the recent proclamations and actions of the American Anglican Council. "We seek...to be as lavish with God's love as Jesus was and is. And so, we see the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion not as a place to make a stand, but as a Place to Love," the letter stated. "We value that within our church there is great diversity of opinion, not only on issues of sexuality, but along the ethical, economic, social, theological, and political lines that can so easily divide us as people."

As the Primates gather on Wednesday and Thursday to listen to provincial perspectives, reflect on the issues raised and explore ways forward, the real focus will be on maintaining the unity of the Anglican Communion. The Rt Revd Henry Parsley, Bishop of Alabama, recently wrote a letter to all clergy in his diocese saying that he feared the AAC are pushing for an "alternative province of the Anglican Communion in the United States". "I believe that we must work within the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion as presently constituted to express our views and work for what is right," he said.

Many messages of support for the recent actions at the General Convention have been voiced and a parishioner from Jacksonville, Florida, told the Anglican Communion Office, "I feel that is important for you to know that not all members of the Episcopal Church, especially those in the Southern United States, agree with the actions brought forth by groups such as the American Anglican Council. Most of us are one hundred percent supportive of the actions of the 74th General Convention, and we urge you to make NO changes in the Communion which would allow for such things as a separate province. This would be a travesty. Thank you for your time and consideration. This meeting will most assuredly be in my prayers."