Rt Rev David Chillingworth
The Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Rt Rev David Chillingworth, has again commented on same-sex marriage. He said that “rapid change in social attitudes around these issues – particularly among young people – mean that there is a serious missional issue”. With regard to the Anglican Communion, he called for discussion on the “nature of our belonging together and about the limits of diversity”.
Bishop David concluded in his blog entry on ‘Human Sexuality – choosing in the context of Communion‘:
“We at present have a church wide process for ‘measured discussion’ on issues of Human Sexuality. When that comes to an end later this year, we shall have to enter into careful consultation about how we should respond to the new context in which we find ourselves.
“In thinking about that, we shall have to honour and respect two diversities.
“The first and primary diversity is that of the Scottish Episcopal Church itself. We have catholic, evangelical, traditionalist and liberal strands in our life. We know ourselves to be enriched by that diversity. It is expressed in warm relationships of mutual respect. We have to carry that diversity with us on whatever journey we decide to undertake.
“The second diversity is that of the Anglican Communion. Unhelpful patterns have been modelled for us. Strident voices in the Communion seek to prevent even discussion of the issues. Others have acted unilaterally without sensitivity to the strong feelings elsewhere in the Communion. Neither is acceptable. We are a Communion but we cannot be a Uniformity. What the Communion needs at this point is serious discussion about the nature of our belonging together and about the limits of diversity – given that we live in such different social contexts.”
