Traditional Anglicanism in America
Greg Griffith
(DioND): +Smith Reiterates Policy on Ordination and Licensing
In a follow-up to this story, Bishop Smith reiterates his policy:
...I will not ordain or license any clergy member who is unable to promise faithfulness in marriage or to abstain from sexual relationships outside of marriage.
While Episcopalians in North Dakota are not of one mind on these matters, at our annual convention in 2005 a resolution was overwhelmingly passed which “commended the Windsor Report as a way forward together in spite of the differences which threaten to divide us” and expressed our desire for the Diocese of North Dakota “to remain both a member of the Episcopal Church and the worldwide Anglican Communion.”
Good for Bishop Smith. Notice he said nothing about sexual "orientation" or attraction. This is exactly the way to handle people like Gayle Baldwin at this stage of the "dialogue": Quote the Windsor Report, cite diocesan action, and deny them the opportunity to characterize your position as having anything to do with homosexuality. Instead, turn it back on the matter of the Christian standard for sexual morality: Faithfulness in marriage, celibacy for those not called to marriage. Don't let them put the cart before the horse. Tell them that once they are legally married in North Dakota, you'll consider their request, but not a moment before.
Bishop Smith needs to be prepared to handle one possible reply of Ms. Baldwin: That she has - mirabile dictu - decided to become celibate, thereby eliminating any obstacles to ordination. Bishop Smith should remember that as bishop, he may decide whether or not to ordain someone, and he is not required to give any reason. Candidates all over the country - and all over England, Canada and Australia as well - are refused ordination every day for their orthodox theology, or just because the bishop doesn't like the cut of their jib. He should remember that someone's wanting to challenge his authority on the standard for ordination is as good a reason as any (and a better reason than most) to refuse to ordain them. Stand firm, bishop. This is one of your little stone bridges.
Posted March 24, 2008 at 7:32 pm
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