Dear editor,
The Oct. 29 statement by the house of bishops is troublesome for two reasons. First, it suggests the bishops are unable to find the mind of God. One would have thought that the past many years of church-wide education, consultation, prayer, and Scripture study would help our leaders discern God’s will in this matter. Second, the statement points to more years of posturing, fractious disagreement and division as we face General Synod in 2004. This offers little hope.
We seem to be at an impasse. But there may be a way forward. Rather than further study and political infighting, two ancient spiritual activities are helpful. First, a call to a time of nation-wide repentance, prayer and fasting would be one such activity. We no doubt have much to confess. Second, a concerted effort to hear God would be the other. It’s clear that we need our leaders to teach us how to discern the will of God for our day-to-day lives, and how to apply those approaches to the life of the church. If our previous years of study have done little to help our bishops resolve this issue, and if we must resolve it at the General Synod, let’s get God’s input – in spades.
R. White
Haileybury, Ont.