Unity

Writing about the Lambeth Conference last week, I summarized the way the bishops of the Anglican Communion had found a place of unity despite widely differing views on human sexuality and marriage. I praised the compromise — essentially accepting the diversity of beliefs while respecting each person as a child of God — as both hopeful and historic.

Within hours of my letter being posted online, the compromise was on the verge of collapse. Some bishops, primarily from the global south, demanded a vote be taken in support of a traditional definition of marriage. Some said they would refuse to receive communion with married LGBTQ bishops. It appeared division, not unity, would be the outcome of this once-a-decade gathering.

After a few days of posturing, it appears the bishops have found a way back to unity. That unity is based not in agreement, which they can’t reach, but in relationship. Although I’m sure there are outliers, it appears the majority have decided that the relationships of the various provinces of the Anglican Communion are more important than deciding whose position on marriage is right.

All of this is far too complicated to summarize adequately here. But I do think remarks made by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby are helpful in understanding how the bishops have found a way forward. He addressed his remarks to the bishops as they prepared to discuss the revised Call on Human Dignity. Recognizing that the bishops “are deeply divided,” he reminded them that they “are called by Christ himself both to truth and unity.”

A large majority of Anglican Christians in the world stand in a different place from most Episcopalians in the United States. Most Anglicans accept only a traditional understanding of marriage as between a man and a woman. As the Archbishop said, “For them, to question this teaching is unthinkable, and in many countries would make the church a victim of derision, contempt and even attack. For many churches to change traditional teaching challenges their very existence.”

For a minority of Anglican Christians, including most Episcopalians, “we can also say the same,” he said. They believe “traditional teaching needs to change” and same-sex marriage should be blessed. “For them, to question this different teaching is unthinkable, and in many countries is making the church a victim of derision, contempt and even attack. For these churches not to change traditional teaching challenges their very existence.”

I find Archbishop Welby’s remarks very helpful. Reminding the bishops that the point of their gathering is not to change minds, he instead asks them to take a moment to see from another’s perspective, to find unity in listening and walking together “despite our deep disagreement on these issues.” (I encourage you to read the Archbishop’s full remarks on the Lambeth Conference website.)

None of this is perfect. LGBTQ Christians in the global south who must live fearfully in the closet will feel this is not strong enough, that they remain unaccepted. Traditional Christians in more progressive provinces will feel as if this is a step in the wrong direction. But in a time of such deep division in our world, it seems to me the bishops are setting an example for how to stay in relationship and keep working together. As the old song says, they won’t know we are Christians because we’re right, “they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”