To the Clergy of the Diocese of
Springfield
A Pastoral Direction
You are aware that the 74th
General Convention of our Church, recently concluded in Minneapolis, made
headlines in this country and abroad as a result of its taking at least
two very controversial actions – giving consent to the election of V. Gene
Robinson, a non-celibate homosexual, as the Bishop Coadjutor of the
Diocese of New Hampshire, and recognizing and supporting the blessing of
same-sex relationships. I opposed these actions, as did the majority in
both orders of our Deputation.
The case is being made that, by taking
these actions, the meeting in Minneapolis acted beyond its authority and
over against the Constitution of our Church. I agree with that analysis.
The Constitution specifically defines the Episcopal Church as “a
constituent member of the Anglican Communion, a Fellowship within the One,
Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.” It is rightly expected that a
member province of the Anglican Communion will faithfully uphold the
doctrine, discipline and worship Anglicanism holds in common.
The Episcopal Church decided to take
unprecedented, unilateral actions on issues of human sexuality contrary to
the position and counsel of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Anglican
Primates meeting a few months ago in Brazil, the Anglican Consultative
Council meeting in Hong Kong earlier this year and the Theology Committee
of our own House of Bishops. The accusation is being made that, as a
result of what took place in Minneapolis, we are now an apostate Church,
having officially departed from the traditional teaching of the Faith once
delivered to the saints. This is not an irresponsible labeling.
Because of the outcome of General
Convention, the Archbishop of Canterbury has called an unprecedented
special meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion. I ask your
prayers for this meeting as I ask your prayers for the Episcopal Church.
The Church has traditionally taught that
sex outside of a marriage of a man and a woman falls short of the standard
God sets for all His people. This remains the position of the overwhelming
majority of Christians worldwide, and it remains my position and the
teaching of the Church in this Diocese.
Moreover, as you are all aware, the
conduct of worship and the spiritual jurisdiction exercised by a member of
the clergy are “subject to the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer, the
Constitution and Canons of the Church, and the pastoral direction of the
Bishop.” (Canon III.14.1(a).) The Bishop’s permission is required under
rubric (BCP, p. 13) for any service not included in the Book of Common
Prayer or in the Book of Occasional Services. No member of the clergy of
this Diocese shall use any liturgy not contained in the Book of Common
Prayer or the Book of Occasional Services without my express permission.
This requirement for permission includes usage of trial liturgies
contained in any of the publications referred to as Enriching Our
Worship. Failure to comply with this direction shall result in
appropriate disciplinary action.
What I perceive as drift in our Church is
not limited to the much-publicized sexuality issues. As we discussed at
the clericus in July, proposals were to be considered at the General
Convention calling for study of the practice of “open communion,” which,
in this context, is the administration of Holy Communion to persons who
have not been baptized. By action of Convention, a study of this practice
will be undertaken. Although the practice is apparently going on in a
number of places, it is prohibited by Canon I.17.7. No member of the
clergy of this Diocese is to administer the Sacrament of Holy Communion to
a non-baptized person knowingly. Failure to comply with this direction
shall result in appropriate disciplinary action.
The only exception to the prohibition on
communing the unbaptized set forth above would be in the most sensitive
kind of pastoral situation. In such situation, the Sacrament would be
administered once only. The member of the clergy so administering would
immediately move to counsel and teach the person about the Sacraments of
Baptism and Holy Communion and must immediately report the incident to me.
In conclusion, let me say that, in these
difficult times, I am most grateful for your faithfulness in our Lord’s
service. I ask your prayers for our Church, this Diocese and me, that we
may above all seek to know the mind of Christ who is the Head of the
Church and the Author of our salvation.
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Peter H. Beckwith
Xth Bishop of Springfield
September 5, 2003
