Scottish Sunday: Life: People, Lifestyles & Living Today

Williams accepts split as traditionalists rail against historic consecration of homosexual man in US

By Jenifer Johnston

Introduction

The bitter dispute over the consecration of a gay bishop looks certain to tear apart the Anglican Church today, but the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said he believed the split would be healed ‘‘one day’’.

Dr Williams accepts a split in the Anglican church

Dr Williams yesterday said that he accepts a split in the Anglican church over the consecration of Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire is inevitable and that reconciliation is now the only way forward. In a service ironically designed to heal a 200-year-old rift between the Church of England and the Methodist Church, he stated, "As we celebrate this new mutuality, we as Anglicans face new tensions and divisions, with those on both sides of our current troubles believing that obedience calls them to a risky break with what we have thought of as orthodoxy and good order."

Potential reconciliation

Williams added that he feels a reconciliation between liberal members of the church who accept same-sex relationships and traditionalists who abhor them will eventually come. He said, "God will still teach us in our separateness and one day we shall be led...to share with one another what we have learned apart."

Consecration of Gene Robinson

Robinson will be consecrated in a service in New Hampshire today. The decision from the US Episcopalian Church to go ahead with adopting Robinson as a bishop has brought widespread condemnation from the worldwide Anglican communion from Africa to Asia. Robinson was elected by the congregations and clergy of New Hampshire from a list of 150 names, but when the national Episcopal Church upheld his appointment, the uproar began.

Formation of a church commission

A crisis meeting at Lambeth Palace last month resulted in Williams buying the Anglican communion perhaps 12 months to continue as a single body. In a year, a specially tasked church commission will report back on Robinson’s selection and on the decision by the Canadian Anglican Church to offer blessings for same-sex couples. The commission, headed by Irish Anglican leader Robin Eames, the longest-serving primus in the church, will seek some kind of consensus on same-sex relationships. If no consensus can be found, it is likely that the Anglican churches in Asia, Nigeria, South America, and possibly Australia will branch out on their own. The commission includes liberals and conservatives in order to gather the broadest spectrum of opinion.

Controversial consecration ceremony

Today’s service will be held at the University of New Hampshire’s ice arena, where 4,000 people will gather along with 55 American Episcopalian bishops for the ceremony late in the afternoon. A 300-strong choir will lead the gathered bishops in a laying of hands on Robinson. Security is tight as there are planned protests both inside and outside of the arena.

Schism in Episcopalian churches

The expected schism in Episcopalian churches around the world may begin immediately, despite Williams’s pleas to wait for the commission report. The Episcopalian communion thrives worldwide from New Zealand to Nigeria to middle England and is equally widespread in its views, from the liberal Episcopalian Church in the US and Canada, to the orthodox Church of Nigeria, which condemns same-sex relationships as evil. It has been one of the most vocal in threatening to set up its own communion based on the teaching of the Church of England and claims it will attract the majority of church members. There are 70 million Anglicans worldwide.

Main Article

Church Controversy and Its Impact on Hospitality

With the ongoing dispute over the consecration of a gay bishop, the Anglican Church finds itself at a crossroad. The divisions between liberals and traditionalists are threatening to tear the church apart, and this conflict is not without consequences for various aspects of society, including the hospitality industry.

Impact on Retreat Centers and Conference Venues

Retreat centers and conference venues that have historically been affiliated with the Anglican Church might face challenges in the coming months. With the potential schism, it is unclear how these establishments will align themselves and which group they will choose to support. The loss of support from one faction of the church could have significant financial implications for these venues.

Tourism and Church Pilgrimages

Church pilgrimages, particularly those that include visits to Anglican cathedrals and sites of religious significance, may also feel the effects of the division within the church. Pilgrims may hesitate to engage in tours or religious trips that are affiliated with a particular faction of the Anglican Church, fearing the potential for protests or disruptions.

Church-owned Hotels and Properties

Church-owned hotels and properties could face challenges in maintaining their customer base. The split within the Anglican Church could lead to boycotts or a redirection of support to alternative accommodations that align with a particular faction's beliefs. The management of these establishments will need to carefully navigate these uncertainties to ensure the ongoing profitability and viability of their businesses.

Interfaith Hospitality

Interfaith hospitality initiatives may also be impacted by the church dispute. Efforts to create spaces and programs that promote tolerance and inclusivity among different belief systems might face obstacles if the factions within the Anglican Church become more isolated and uncooperative. This could hinder the growth and success of interfaith projects that rely on collaboration and support from diverse religious communities.

Conclusion

The consecration of a gay bishop has sparked a divisive crisis within the Anglican Church, and its reverberations extend beyond religious circles. From retreat centers to interfaith initiatives, the impact of this split on the hospitality industry and society at large remains uncertain. As the future unfolds, stakeholders in these sectors will need to navigate the changing landscape and find ways to address the challenges and opportunities that arise.