Sir, —
Congratulations on your inspirational editorial this month (November).
What a comfort and consolation it was to read the statement of Archbishops John McDowell and Michael Jackson. In that statement and in your editorial I recognised the Anglican Church I have known and loved all my life (I am 81) in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as in Brussels, Strasbourg, Madrid, and Rome. Whereas, the harsh, pharisaical communiqué of GAFCON and the reflections of the Bishop of Down and Dromore seemed totally alien to the Anglican spirit.
On the eve of the day he offered his one complete and all sufficient sacrifice on our behalf, the Lord Jesus told his disciples (and us): ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.’ (John 16:13).
In the course of her history there have been many paradigm shifts in the life of the Church, starting with the decision to welcome Gentiles into the Church (Acts 15) and in more recent times decisions such as the re-marriage of divorced persons, the ordination of women, and the blessing of same-sex couples.
All these changes have incurred resistance from some believers, but eventually become part of the mainstream life of the Church.
It seems to me that all these paradigm shifts are examples of the Holy Spirit leading the Church in the way of truth as she wends her way through history to the parousia (second coming). So to resist them without patient discernment, and going through Synod, and the Instruments of Communion, is to sin against the Holy Spirit — and the Lord was very clear about the consequences of sinning against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31).
Yours, etc.,—
The Reverend Paul Symonds
(Retired cleric of another denomination and member of the congregation of Belfast Cathedral)
