Dec 16 2006
What Would George Do?
Today’s New York Times reports on the continuing struggle within the Episcopal church in the United States over the issue of homosexuality. After consecrating an openly-gay bishop last year and electing a woman as its head this year, some conservative churches are voting to remove their parishes from the national church and align with dioceses in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The realignments are not without their problems, however. The Nigerian bishop some churches are moving towards may be too conservative — Archbishop Peter Akinola supports legislation in his country that would make it illegal for gays to even eat together in restaurants. Who owns the church property may require litigation to straighten out.
To their credit, the Episcopalians have been remarkably transparent about the whole thing, apparently believing that being open and affirming truly means that, contrary to some of their counterparts in other traditions in the United States who conveniently forget the “open” part while skimming the surface with their affirmation.
George Washington once served on the vestry of Falls Church, one of two large Virginia congregations that have voted to secede. One wonders what George would have to say about all this. Chances are, he would wonder what the fuss is all about.
