Madam, - The turmoil in the Anglican Communion should be carefully watched by Roman Catholics as well. The issues dividing Anglicans are also troubling their sister church and could lead in time to the danger of institutional schism.
The acceptance of gay couples is indeed a major change in Christian understanding. Some see it as revolt against Bible and tradition; others, including myself, as a valid development that can be argued on the basis of the Bible. The same can be said for the issue of women priests and bishops.
Christians should be mature enough to avoid a suicidal split on these issues. Such splits generate much bitterness, leave both sides impoverished, and last for centuries or forever. We should become accustomed to articulating our views in open discussion and learning to disagree without mutual condemnation.
Since the US and Canadian Anglicans seem to be on the side of the future and of a more comprehensive and enlightened understanding of Scripture, they should be confident enough to be flexible, and they should be prodigal in imagining gestures of reconciliation that they can offer toward their opponents, without sacrifice of principle.
Meanwhile, we Roman Catholics can learn much from the honesty and courtesy of the Anglican debaters, from their patience in living with conundrums and unanswered questions, and from their openness to all the dimensions of Scripture. - Yours, etc.,
Rev JOSEPH S. O'LEARY, DD, Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan.
Madam,- Last Saturday's editorial, "Anglican liberalism and the gay issue", states: "Greater societal tolerance of homosexuality must find a mirror within the churches".
Why? Is tolerance an absolute virtue? Was Jesus always tolerant? Of course he wasn't. Nor was he always condemnatory of sinners. "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more", he told the woman caught in adultery.
We need leading and we need leadership about many things, including sin. We are all sinners and it is only by God's grace that we receive forgiveness and new life. Let us aim high, therefore, towards the Highest. Sexual standards are only one aspect of morality, but a pivotal one. If the church cannot give direction, who else can? Society? Of course not. We live in what has been described as an amoral - not simply immoral - society.
Some of the Anglican church, of which I, as Church of Ireland, am a member, appear to want to be "in the world" and "of the world", as Jesus put it, at the same time. We cannot have it both ways. That is why many of us Christians are looking for clear leadership at a time in history when moral standards in society have plummeted. Society needs clear teaching in order to enable it to be aware of what is or is not right or wrong.
Are the churches supposed to support societal tolerance or are they supposed to lead society into the truth about such things? Where do we discover truth? Christians believe that absolute truth lies in the Word of God, the Bible, and the Word become flesh, Jesus. Most Bible students, including me, consider that God's word is clearly against homosexual behaviour.
Let the churches boast in no one other than God, and seek direction from him alone, through his Word and his Holy Spirit. There lies our only hope. To rely on societal tolerance and try to mirror it would be madness. - Yours, etc.,
Rev TONY WHITING (Retired minister), Finnisterre Lawns, Dungarvan, Co Waterford.
Madam, - I want to make it clear, both as an individual human being, and as an Anglican priest - albeit, at present, without episcopal permission to officiate - that I recognise the potential for good in both same-sex and heterosexual relationships. I also recognise the potential for exploitation and harm in all these relationships. I do not accept that adult same-sex relationships are inherently evil or that, from a theological perspective, those who engage in them are necessarily committing sin.
I well understand the frustration of Dr Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and a former University don, who holds similar views to mine, and to those of many other people. I am glad he has made public these personal views. He has an unenviable role at present.
Female ordination is still not accepted in many Anglican provinces and the gay issue is divisive in them all. Theological education can make a difference, though the influence of culture must be taken seriously too. I note from the report of the primates' meeting, that "it is planned to hold a consultation for theological educators later this year in Canterbury, and it is anticipated that this work will be a significant item of consideration at the Lambeth Conference in 2008".
I wish the ex-university don well - and the educators too. - Yours, etc.,
Rev ANDREW FURLONG, Tubbermore Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin.