Note 65 (of 92) by MICHAEL INGHAM on June 8, 1995 at 23:22 Eastern (4835
characters).

Thursday was a much gentler day. Perhaps the power and emotion of the
homosexuality resolutions yesterday have released some tension and allowed
the church (assembled here, at least) to declare its basic theological
stance.

After our usual daily worship and Bible Study (8:30 - 9:30 am each morning)
we heard from the BAS Evaluation Commission. This is a body established six
years ago by the General Synod to review the use of, and response to, the
contemporary liturgies introduced by the Book of Alternative Services. The
Commission produced a major report, assessing the theological and pastoral
issues raised by the rites, and including several recommendations about
further liturgical revision.

These included the extension of authorization of the use of the rites for
another six years (they are technically experimental); the preparation of
new liturgical texts to employ inclusive language and imagery of God; a
eucharistic prayer reflecting a more Reformed Protestant understanding of
the atonement; texts reflecting the spiritual and cultural traditions of
native people; and a French translation of the eucharistic rite.

Debate was raised about two main issues: whether the church was moving
towards "interest group worship." And the language used to name God.

The recommendations were easily passed. Although some were anxious about
theological fragmentation and the growth of liturgical options, most were
persuaded by the Commission's argument that diversity in liturgy is a
reflection of the church and is not disunity. On the language issue, a
Calgary priest asserted that 'Father, Son and Holy Ghost' are the "revealed
names of God." A lay woman from Vancouver Island declared the masculine
identity of God to be the "orthodox" faith of Christians. But these were
voices in the wilderness, and the recommendations were affirmed by a wide
margin.

A similar skirmish was held over the adoption of texts for a new hymn book.
Although there was an attempt to put the project on hold for another three
years, and criticisms were again heard about 'pagan imagery' and 'heretical
doctrine' because some of the hymns use gender-neutral terms for God, the
hymn book was approved to the next stage of development by a large
majority.

After this, the Synod patiently and without demur agreed to enter a new
covenant relationship with native people in which we would journey together
toward self-determination by aboriginal people within our church. After the
moving presentations earlier in the week from the Council on Native
Ministries and the Residential Schools Working Group, and the absolutely
outstanding contributions of many native people in the debates of Synod,
there was a mood of real desire to begin again with the first nations
peoples and put the painful past behind us. It was a quiet but profound
moment in the life of our church.

The rest of the day was spent on a variety of issues presented by
individual members, mostly on social justice concerns. The Human Rights
Principles for the Anglican Church, first proposed over a decade ago and
deferred, tabled and referred at every opportunity since, were again
referred since some members thought we were rushing into things and had not
had a chance to think about them. But this was the only disappointing
moment in an otherwise constructive day.

My sense is that the Synod has passed its crisis, and some interesting
things have been revealed. While the forces of discontent are passionate
and real, there is nevertheless a strong centre to the church and the
centre is holding. Although there are loud voices warning about the dangers
of further change, the mainstream membership of the church is moving
gradually along in a spirit of courage and confidence. And while there is
real pain in the church, no one has a monopoly on it, and there is a deep
compassion and determination to care for minorities and those who feel
disenfanchised, whether theologically or pastorally.

And yet compassion for the theologically disaffected does not appear to be
preventing the church from appropriate adaptation of tradition. Fear of the
future has not featured strongly in the discussions here. There has been a
sense of respect for history and doctrine, but also a realization of the
unfinished character of the church and our knowledge of God. The
willingness to accept a radical restructuring of the national church
reveals both a sense of realism about the current situation and also a
sense of opportunity. Discouragement and retreat have not been evident in
the mood or the actions of the Synod. There has been a very positive
spirit, even in the midst of difficult issues.

+ Michael Ingham, Bishop of New Westminster
  Vancouver, BC
  Written on Thu, Jun  8, 1995 at  5:20 pm PDT at General Synod, Ottawa,
  Internet: MICHAEL_INGHAM.parti@ecunet.org