CANADA: Orthodox Anglican Theologians Weigh in on ACC Sexual Ethics Resolutions
New Westminster Bishop Michael Ingham Singled Out

Pentecost 2007

Dear General Synod Delegates,

We are a group of academic theologians serving in parishes or theological institutions who are committed to the welfare of the Anglican Church of Canada, and we are writing to you out of grave concern for the integrity of our Christian community. We are disturbed by the proposed motions coming out of the Council of General Synod's March meeting. We believe that these motions do not reflect the implications of the St Michael Report, and that even to treat them as legitimate options is to neglect the kind of discussion the Report encourages and our Church deserves. In particular, we affirm the following:

1. Sexual ethics is a doctrinally serious matter. Bishop Ingham has recently said, 'Christianity as a religion stands in need of a better theology of sexuality, a better understanding of the complex role sexuality plays in our human nature, and of the purposes of God in creating us as sexual beings, [. . .]' (address delivered in Ottawa on 7 March 2007). The St Michael Report could have been cited in support of this statement, and the question of 'the purposes of God in creating us as sexual beings' is the subject of over half of the Report. Indeed, the Report identifies six central doctrines that must be engaged in any discussion of sexual ethics, and it classifies the matter of the blessing of same-sex unions as doctrinally 'important' (§ 3). We submit that a matter of this gravity should not be dealt with in the manner of a simple resolution.

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