The Windsor Report Flop Flap

CT editorial on the loss of Canterbury control of the Episcopal hierarchy.

To paraphrase a bit, the world's top Anglicans (known as "primates," and yes, do insert evolution joke here) chose in October 2003 to instruct the Lambeth Commission to recommend how the full church or "Communion" (appx. 70 million baptized members worldwide) might hold together. The problems? The American (Episcopal) church had just elected an open and partnered homosexual, Gene Robinson, as bishop, and some American and Canadian dioceses were going ahead with official ceremonies to bless same-sex couples. The Commission produced what is known now as the Windsor Report.

So, what happened?

Taking up CT here:

The Windsor Report tried again. Revisionist American and Canadian bishops were "invited to express [their] regret that the proper constraints of the [Anglican] bonds of affection were breached" by their actions. They were asked to immediately cease and desist from further actions. They were also "invited to consider" withdrawing from international Anglican gatherings until they could agree to do the above.

Not surprisingly, these flaccid suggestions [as opposed to erect? - SL] were stillborn. Within three days, though a few revisionist bishops had expressed regret, they did so only for the emotional fallout of their actions—not for the acts themselves. Most defiantly supported ECUSA's Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, who said that the church would "continue to exercise its own freedom and judiciousness in how it chooses persons for ordained ministry." Griswold also said he had no intention of absenting himself from international meetings. So much for the experiment in voluntary church discipline.

The Windsor Report tries hard. It begins admirably, with a sound theological section. And it concludes by recommending that Anglicans commit to a "covenant," whereby they can be more accountable to one another. But it has an inadequate mandate at this stage in Anglican history. It all feels too little, too late.

A large part of the problem has been the very terms of debate. The Windsor Report is symptomatic. The report spends many a word lamenting the "hurt and alienation" felt by Anglicans, and little on the profound theological issues that have caused not just bad feelings but an objective crisis. The commission members said they were reluctant to chastise anyone with biblical admonitions because that wasn't in their purview.

Whatever the reason, to believe that Episcopal protocol is the key to holding things together in this crisis is as foolish as a builder believing that fixing the plumbing will shore up a sinking foundation. In less tumultuous times, Episcopal plumbing is important, but when the building teeters toward collapse, something else needs attention. The house may be a little stinky for a while, but at least it won't collapse.

I see no easy solutions here.