hypocrisy or Prejudice or Homophobia?

Today has seen the publication of a memo written by the late Very Rev Colin Slee, Dean of Southwark, in respect of the meeting of the Crown Commissioners in 2010 to select a new Bishop of Southwark.

Benny's blog at http://bit.ly/l48IJB has given a reasoned reflection on what happened, in particular the alleged temper outbursts by Arch Bishop Rowan Williams and Arch Bishop John Sentu, which are described as reducing some of those there to tears.

I don't comment on the alleged outbursts of temper or even the procedure for the selection of Bishops, which seems to me to be an oddly outdated and non-sensical way of conducting selection. My main concern is the apparent cause of the outbursts which is the ongoing, running sore of the treatment of LBGT people by the Church.

The Church's position is made clear in their 'Issues in Human Sexuality' at http://t.co/72pn3gs where the thinking is that while they respect all individuals, gay or not, those who are gay, partnered and sexually active, are not eligible to assume a leadership position of any sort within the Church. The critical thing for me in this is that laypeople are not asked the question, while clergy are. Again, it doesn't seem to make sense to me to apply such a double standard to any position in the church, whether as a member, leader or in a representative position.

If you are Gay, you can get around the rules by prevaricating, hiding your sexuality or plain lying. This appears to be accepted very much on the position held by the US Military of 'Don't Ask - Don't Tell', but if you are caught out, you're in big trouble, and the church will deny any prior knowledge.

If you are gay and have integrity, you will be open and clear about your status and exclude yourself from serving in any capacity of responsibility within the church.

This hypocrisy has been sustained over generations, and the church appears to be willing to fight tooth and nail to defend the unjustifiable, without seeking to discern whether there might just be another way to move as the Spirit takes it.

The USEC has been very clear in its discernment of the position of Gays within the Church. It has selected and placed them in leadership positions. It has moved faster then is comfortable for some, and is set to be punished by the strictures of the Anglican Covenant for daring to break the stifling mould of hypocrisy which surrounds the whole area of sexuality across the Anglican Communion.

In my view, the integrity of the church in dealing with sexual orientation is in question. The reasons for continuing to discriminate appear to be spurious, unsustainable and plain illogical in their application and impact. The exclusion of Jeffrey John from Episcopal Ministry due to this is a scandal, a much larger scandal then would arise if he were selected and appointed.

The church wishes to appear united in issues of sexuality, but the events disclosed by Colin Slee, show how disunited and dysfunctional it is seen to be. Struggling to justify the unjustifiable.

Time for Change ans Ben says in his blog, and not before time.