| Bishop Daniel Richards Part One: The Old Republic |
“Together in Love” was the theme of the 81st General Convention and by the end, it felt true. There were moments of transcendent worship, joyful reunion, and deep affection and nostalgia as we said thank you and goodbye again and again to the Most Rev. Michael Curry for his ministry of evangelism, revival, and love. The Presiding Bishop’s grade school teacher, Mr. Sanders, said, “A gentleman should always be ready to give a word.” Bishop Michael certainly took this proverb to heart. Several times over the last two weeks, he quoted Maya Angelou’s wisdom book title, “Wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.” His tenure gave shape to the worship of the Convention until the election of our new Presiding Bishop. Worship at the General Convention The first worship service of Convention was a revival the night before the Convention’s business opened. The service was held at a large indoor stadium in Louisville called the “Yum Center.” It was as much a retirement celebration as a worship service. Bishop Curry’s sermon on evangelism turned to rejoicing in family and friends and the ministry of the Church. Every sermon offered this week had moments of giving thanks for his ministry, which arose naturally because of his evangelism on behalf of the Episcopal Church and its focus on Christ and the Gospel. He was moved and constantly refocused the praise to “the God who is Love.” All week, worship was fronted by a jazz worship group led by clergy and by the chaplains from both the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. While there are always reasons to quibble about some moments in large services, there were far more reasons to rejoice. Music that stirred the soul and preaching that focused on the Gospel had us all praising God together. Resolutions on the Israel-Hamas Conflict Not every issue discussed at General Convention kept us in unanimity, however. By far, the most difficult debate was around statements regarding Israel, Hamas, and Palestine. When statements were finally ratified, and not all were, the words “apartheid” and “genocide” were removed. The use of this language is a contentious issue that engenders strong feelings on both sides, something we saw clearly in the perspectives people brought to the work of discernment. It is important to remember that we are both a church called to pray and work for the peace of Israel and part of the larger Church and Anglican Communion that has many Palestinian members and churches. Our final statements attempted to find a balance that reflected both realities and the complex perspectives people brought. Increased Support for Diaconal Ministry On a far less controversial topic, the role of deacons in the Episcopal Church was revived decades ago, yet we have not had a particular group supporting their work and ministry. The Association of Episcopal Deacons was recognized by Convention, but its request for funding was initially eliminated by the House of Bishops, only to be partially reinstated later. This was part of a trend of cutting the funds requested by resolutions. Requests were often cut by 80% or 90% in recognition that there were limited funds available, and that the requests were often for costly and unnecessary in-person gatherings. The Deacons Association received one of the largest resolution designations in recognition of the increasing role the order plays in the Church. Title IV (Clergy Misconduct) Changes Title IV changes and clarifications were finally voted on at the General Convention. Our current Title IV system is meant not as a legal system, but rather as a system of reconciliation. Functionally, it operates as a quasi-legal system to address instances of clergy misbehavior and to prevent future abuse. Controversies around how it has been understood and transparency in the process have led many to question its fairness, especially when bishops are the recipients of complaints. This was not the overhaul that is ultimately needed, but small necessary tweaks to make the current process more transparent and time-bound. For the most part, these were positive changes, even if most of us expect that larger overhaul in the next few years. Title X and the Book of Common Prayer At the last General Convention, we voted to change the definition of the Book of Common Prayer in the Constitution and Canons to include all texts designated as having “Prayer Book status.” This seems contradictory to the word “Book” in “Book of Common Prayer,” and it took a long time to reach the current rewritten Title X language. I have argued about the wisdom of this, but ultimately, the change accomplishes a great deal and was passed almost unanimously. It allows the Book of Common Prayer to be amended in smaller steps by the same constitutional process, with the same time for discernment, and with more clarity about the status of texts currently floating around the Church. This will allow us to make smaller changes to the BCP, but those changes will be as difficult and take as long to pass as a new book. It allows for the marriage rite for same-sex couples to be given Prayer Book status without having to reprint all the current 1979 Books of Common Prayer we have in the pews. To accomplish finding a balanced way forward for a Church that longs to stay together, a task force known as Communion Across Difference met over the last six years and proposed a number of resolutions to protect those of conscience holding a traditional view of marriage, as well as those holding a progressive view of marriage. Most of these passed, but two did not. Functionally, the ones that failed to pass do not change the current practice of the church, but it was dispiriting to see that while we get closer to mutual respect embodied in the systems of the Church, we are not quite there yet. While this may all seem like “inside baseball,” the Episcopal Church’s overall message was that we are moving forward together, if sometimes a little uneasily. Tomorrow, in Part Two, we will come to the moments that lifted the Convention from saying goodbye and finding consensus, upward to hope and a new way forward: elections and new leadership, dioceses finding union, and justice for one diocese that was long overdue. |