THE P RTAL
April 2014
AU Page 3
What are we doing?
Where are we going?
asks J. T. Stockman
Today we
have ideas foisted on us by the
media, often adeptly socially engineered by
loud and persistent voices. It is understandable for
some (particularly the young and impressionable)
to believe that rights predominate and
responsibilities are afforded inferior weight.
It is simple to accept this as the progressive mindset
for today. Little consideration appears to be given to
the effect on traditions, shibboleths and teachings,
which, for centuries, have bound the community’s
moral fibre.
perturbed to read
Our laws and relationships owe an incalculable
debt to these traditions; we tamper with them to our
detriment. I was therefore perturbed to read, in “The
Melbourne Anglican”, a transcript of the Archbishop
of Canterbury’s thoughts that essentially lessens,
in society’s eyes, those who hold firmly to biblical
teachings as rule and guide to their faith. In his
presidential address to Synod on 12 February 2014,
“There is great fear among some, here and round
the world, that that will lead to the betrayal of
our traditions, to the denial of the authority of
scripture, to apostasy”. “There is also a great fear
that our decisions will lead us to the rejection of
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people to
irrelevance in a changing society, to behaviour that
many see akin to racism.”
I wonder if any thought was given to what influence
“The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby
spoke of the need for ‘massive cultural change’ this may have on the young and gullible and similarly
within the Church of England so that people can on church unity.
flourish together despite deeply held differences on
“go and sin no more”
issues such as sexuality and women bishops.”
The love of God is not withdrawn from any who
incalculable debt to tradition
repent and seek forgiveness. Christ forgave the woman
His speech further stated that “churches should be caught in adultery, commanding her to “go and sin no
part of the society in which they live”. To my mind the more” - not, I understand, keep on going down this
Anglican Church has always been part of that society path it if it makes you feel good!
– providing a beacon of light and guide for the moral
direction of our lives and the formulation of our laws. compassion
He further advised that,
We must show compassion and acknowledge human
weakness, but also hold to biblical teachings and trust
“The Church of England is not a closed system, nor in God’s promises.
is the Anglican Communion, and most certainly
nor is the Church catholic and universal. It is not a
We should heed the words of William Inge [1860closed system because God is involved, and where 1954], Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, London:
he is involved there is no limit to what can happen
and no limit to human flourishing. His abundant
“Whoever marries the spirit of the age will find
love overwhelms us, when we make space, to flood
himself a widower in the next”.
into our own lives, into institutions and systems.”
We need our Church leaders to provide true guidance
In reference to the Pilling report he declared,
in these turbulent times.