This week the Anglican Communion called on the Episcopal Church (the American wing of Anglicanism) to stop concecrating same-sex unions and to cease consecrating gay bishops. The Anglican Communion has given the Episcopal Church the deadline of September 30th 2007 to agree. What is not entirely clear is what the consequences are if the Episcopal leadership does not comply. It would seem that the Anglicans could completely sever ties with the Episcopalians which would lead to court battles over property and finances.
It is truly a sad time for Episcopalians. This is a church that has been at the forefront of social issues for decades. It is a church that has been an tireless advocate for civil rights. It is dedicated to eradicating poverty and supports living wages for all. It is one of the first churches to ordain women and in 2006 elected Katharine Jefferts Schori the first Presiding Bishop of the church.
That the Episcopal Church has such a history of progressive policies makes this divide such a shame. Some U.S. parishes have broken away and are under leadership of other Anglican Churches and I fear there is more of that to come. If the consequences of the Episcopal Church continuing to bless same sex unions and continuing to be a supporter of gay rights is the disassociation with the larger Anglican Communion then, as sad as that would be, it is worth it. The Episcopal Church needs to continue to be a beacon of progressiveness for people of faith. There is so much talk of the religious right that one might think that to be religious you must be socially conservative. The Episcopal Church must show the world that one can be progressive and a person of faith at the same time. Even if there is a high price to pay.