A moaning in the Roman

On the Bonnie banks of the Tiber!

I have had a superb email outlining all the many ways that the C of E will be made to pay for its 'anti-Church unity' attitudes such that any hope of an Anglican Roman Catholic reconciliation is now, and forever, dashed. Those 'droves' of members and priests that will be off for swimming lessons will leave the Anglican 'ecclesial community'  weakened and without any proper substance.

Oddly, another email has told me that those who oppose the ordination and consecration of women and those who have difficulties accepting that God honours and blesses homosexual relations and fail to see that this is the future are but a hindrance to the Church and its mission.

Ooo'er mother! Two extremely polarised views (for which I thank the authors) and views which I have to say I do understand but actually disagree with.

In the first position, I understand that for many, homosexuality is merely a matter of discipline (being personal sin) and the ordination of women is an ecclesiological matter and is therefore to be considered a divisive, 'Church Splitter' of an issue! BUT - leaving and taking bat, ball and thiruble appears to cause more pain and damage to those who have left than those who return (a sad exercise in self-harm perhaps?).

 In the second position I can't see how revisionist thinking (or perhaps that should be wishful self-serving thinking) can actually claim to be supportive of a traditional or orthodox Christian faith. Another issue is that, if, we are really concerned with Church unity it doesn't do much for that either! After all, most of the churches and fellowships around me would cut us off as apostate should the revisionists have their way with regard to their liberalities!

Two extremes and as someone who finds himself to be quite central (surprisingly) I have to say that I think that both are wrong positions and both do damage to themselves, the Church and the mission of the Church.

Both see their 'choice' as a right and see themselves as right without concern for others, the church, The universal Church and the will and Word of God.

The Church should be one as the father, Son and Holy Spirit are - putting off selfish desires, passions and ambitions and following Christ - a tough call indeed, but the call that we have before us!,