FORMER CANADIAN PRIMATE PRESENT

Dear editor,

Hopefully the omission of Archbishop Ted Scott participation in the blessing of the civil marriage of deacons Alison Kemper and Joyce Barnett was mere oversight by the/ Journal/ (October). Archbishop Scott, the former primate, pronounced his archepiscopal blessing twice during the service first after the couple’s declaration of lifelong promises of commitment and again at the end of the eucharist. The 10th primate of the Anglican Church of Canada (1971-86) participated with the prior knowledge of Archbishop Terence Finlay and at the invitation of the couple. He was vested, walked in the procession and participated fully in the ceremony.

Hugh McCullum

Toronto

CONGO PROVINCE REJECTS ROBINSON CONSECRATION

Statement of the Bishops of the Anglican Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo on homosexuality and blessings of same-sex unions within the Anglican Communion1/5/2004

[Anglican Communion News Service] We, the Bishops of the Anglican Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (DR Congo) gathered in Kinshasa, its capital city, on behalf of the clergy and laity from the  DR Congo, take this opportunity to officially express our unhappiness regarding the issues which have recently arisen pertaining to the issues  of homosexuality and the blessing of same-sex relationships which we  believe are contrary to Holy Scripture, and to moral law in the Third World. We therefore strongly condemn  - the consecration of Canon GENE ROBINSON, a divorcee and an actively gay bishop of the US New Hampshire Diocese of the Episcopal Church on 2nd November 2003 - the access to priesthood of actively gay and lesbian people

- the use of the newly devised Prayer Book published by the Diocese of New Westminster/Canada for the purpose of officiating the blessing of same- sex marriages.

We believe that the above-mentioned acts clearly and deliberately

Misinterpret a) the Word of God b) the resolution 110,98 of the Lambeth Conference of 1998 prohibiting homosexuality, an act contrary to Christian calling in Holy Scripture.

In its position of moral keeper, the Church must do all in its power to  prevent immorality and itself avoid being corrupted and in turn corrupting the whole world.

c) the work of the Commission established to study in depth the issue of  homosexuality. The findings of this Commission initiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury to try and establish proper solutions to homosexuality in the Church is due in October 2004. The bishops from the Third World opposed the consecration of Canon GENE ROBINSON as bishop in their meetings at Lambeth Palace, London in October 2003.

We knowingly declare that -

1. The Anglican Province of Congo strongly condemns homosexuality  and wishes to disassociate itself from relations with Dioceses and Parishes involved in homosexuality. Therefore, it disapproves the confirmation and consecration

2. of Canon GENE ROBINSON, a man living openly in a homosexual relationship, as bishop in God’s ministry. The Anglican Province of Congo is in fellowship with all Parishes, Dioceses and Provinces of ECUSA and of the Anglican Church of Canada in opposition to homosexuality. It is happy to support both morally, pastorally and spiritually all Christians from every part of the world within the network of theologically orthodox churches and Dioceses in opposition to homosexuality.

3. The Anglican Province of Congo condemns every immoral act which promotes active homosexuality as a cultural norm. The Gospel purifies all culture and must be in agreement with Holy Scripture.

4. The Anglican Province of Congo rejects the newly published New Westminster Diocesan Book of Prayer promoting the blessing of same-sex union. It20 calls upon each and every women and man of God to think about God’s Word relating to marriage in Genesis 127,28 and encourages abstinence as the appropriate way for those who are not called to marriage. The Anglican Province of  Congo therefore invites any person knowingly involved in homosexuality to repent from his/her sin and return to the fullness of relationship with Chris t. (Lev.18:23 Matt.194-6 Romans 123-27).