Lambeth's options are severely limited
The truth that has emerged following the consecration of Gene Robinson as the first ever gay bishop is that homosexuality is an issue the church has to learn to live with.
The move by many Anglican leaders across the globe to sever links with Robinson is justifiable. However, the rush with which they did it exposed their own folly of ignoring a veritable problem that has haunted the church for over three decades now.
Back in 1967, it started becoming apparent that homosexuality was being practised in the church, albeit quietly. The church's stand on homosexuality, according to the 1998 Lambeth conference, was a good attempt to address the issue.
But merely stating that "the church cannot advise the legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions" without taking appropriate measures against the culprits is hardly the way to solve an insidious problem.
The only thing making Robinson's case serious is that it has set a precedent. While his installation is a real blow to the conservatives, it is a milestone for the liberals whose number continues to rise. There is now a good number of gay bishops both in the United States and other countries in the West who are not just bold enough to speak openly as Robinson did.
About a week before his consecration early this month, Robinson supported his own cause by saying: "There are enormously gifted Episcopal priests around this church who are gay and lesbian, some of whom are partnered. They would make wonderful bishops and they are going to be nominated and elected."
Many gays and lesbians see Robinson's installation as the first fruit of their fight for their rights. In fact, Robinson, after his ordination, didn't mince words in reiterating this position. His new position in the hierarchy, he said, symbolised that the church was reaching out to "people who find themselves at the margins just as Jesus did".
The liberals feel that their conservative counterparts are making homosexuality too central an issue for the denomination. They consider relegating lesbians and gays to second-rate class Christians anathema to the Gospel which preaches equality of treatment for all. This claim may call for a re-evaluation of the church's doctrines.
Unfortunately, this is not within the mandate of the commission appointed last month by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Considering the audacity with which liberals are doing things, the findings of such a commission might not help anything.
Here, we are dealing with a people who, despite the church's official position on the issues, still feel they have a right to do things the way they like. They cannot be cowed because they have their own platform � The Christian Lesbian and Gay Movement � to advance their agenda in the communion.
That Rowan possesses no disciplinary powers makes him toothless. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church where the Pope has such forceful powerful weapons as excommunication. The best he can do is to withdraw recognition of a certain diocese or leader.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is only a spiritual head with no power "to wave the big stick". As has been said, he is "First Among Equals" whose main duty is to offer spiritual guidance. Having a head without powers is the biggest weakness of the Anglican Church.
Rowan's decision to name a mix of conservative and liberal church leaders to the commission, whose mandate is to examine the crisis over homosexuality, was a move meant to achieve consensus.
But with more than 50 million conservative Anglicans in Latin America, Africa and Asia having either cut or contemplating to sever links with the liberal Episcopalians, the relevance of the commission remains steeped in great doubt.
The best option that Rowan has now is to wait until the commission finishes it work and presents its finding to him in September 2004. After that, he can appoint bishops to cater for hard-line clergy working in liberal dioceses.
Even if all conservative dioceses cut links with the liberals, it doesn't seem lesbians and gays in the West will be stopped. Only God Himself can stop them.
Mr Ayieko is the editor of 'EndTime News', a monthly Christian newspaper
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