VOLUME -71 NUMBER* 10 OCTOBER 1988 publication.

Oand n the road reuse

for again . . . required Permission DFMS. / Church Episcopal the of Archives 2020. The Rev. Barbara C. Harris, Executive Director Episcopal Church Publishing Company elected first woman bishop in the Anglican Communion Copyright

The politics of intolerance • Manning Marable 'Last Temptation of Christ' • Paul Moore, Jr. Lambeth's new face • Barbara C. Harris • Susan E. Pierce Letters

Maurice and Mosley ing classes were not yet ready to be which we can be sure. As such, his The rather moving testimony of Carter given the right to vote that the Chartists work for justice was flawed. But then, Heyward to Bishop J. Brooke Mosley in were demanding. Maurice and Com- so too was the splendid ministry of the May WITNESS employed a number pany defended the right to vote as a Brooke Mosley, and so is my own and, of metaphors and comparisons to illus- privilege that necessitated education I dare say, Professor Hood's as well. trate the several passions of the "bishop and superior intelligence because politi- Which is fine, as long as, in our own for all seasons," including one of the cal issues were so complex. historical moment, we are willing to 19th century Church of England social The misnomer "Christian socialism" build, gratefully and critically, on the thinker, Frederick Denison Maurice. actually comes from pamphlets and contributions of those who have gone before — attempting to continue the publication. The rhapsodic cadences of her attribute tracts written mostly by Maurice, begin- conveyed the continued myth about the ning with his Christian Socialism. good they have done without repeating and early Anglican Christian social thinkers Maurice, like many liberals, believed their mistakes. God knows, we shall like Maurice; namely, that they were that social injustices and evils were make enough of our own! reuse champions of the workers as founders founded largely on irrationality and an The Rev. Carter Heyward for of the Christian Socialist movement. ignorance of God's divine order. He Episcopal Divinity School On the contrary, F. D. Maurice was understood Christian Socialism primar- Cambridge, Mass. ily as a renewal movement within the required more of an "armchair liberal" whose vi- sion of society included what the Marx- existing Anglican church and British Joins UFW boycott ists rightly described as "Utopian social- society, not as a revolutionary move- ment for empowering the poor and The July/August WITNESS article by ism." In Maurice's plan of brotherhood Pat Hoffman on the United Farmwork- Permission and cooperation between the social women. Indeed, he defended private property as a cornerstone of British so- ers and their struggle against pesticide classes, the elite and educated main- poisoning is right on! tained the leadership roles and the ciety as vigorously as the socialists and DFMS. As a member of the National Farm- / working class movements attacked it as workers and less educated were ex- workers Ministry Executive Committee, pected to acknowledge dutifully their a chief source of social injustice in that same society. I was in Delano where we visited with Church inferior station. Charles Raven, who Cesar Chavez and attended the daily wrote one of the most definitive books However, having said all of this, it evening Mass on the 18th and 19th days on Anglican Christian socialism, de- cannot be denied that Maurice and of his Fast for Life (He went on for scribed some of these early Oxbridge Company did articulate theologically

Episcopal more than 30 days.) trained clerics and teachers of Christian the first social teachings of the Angli-

the Chavez explained his fast as 1) a pu- socialism as "squarsons — someone can tradition in a deliberate manner. of rification of his own body, mind and who exercised himself in oratory on The Rev. Canon R. E. Hood soul, and 2) as a strengthening of re- Sundays and in flyfishing and foxhunt- General Theological Seminary solve for him and for all of us to resist ing during the rest of the week," not New York, N.Y. Archives the scourge of poisons that threatens our unlike some of our current-day patrician people, our land and our food. liberals in the church. 2020. Heyward replies To be in his presence was very ener- Actually, Maurice and the other An- I appreciate Professor Robert Hood's gizing. He reminded us of the church's glican Christian socialists began in op- useful assessment of Maurice's limits. long history of support for justice for position to an indigenous workers' Copyright I'm in complete agreement with him the farmworkers. We rejoice in that — movement in England called the Char- that Maurice should not be interpreted but the time is now — for the church, tist Movement. The Chartists got their uncritically as a forerunner in the work and for us to declare non-cooperation name from the publication of a list of of justice. Like most Anglicans then with supermarkets who promote, sell reforms in 1838 called "A People's and now, Maurice was an idealist, and profit from California Table Charter," which called for opening up which limited the radicality of his com- Grapes. the political process to all classes. mitment to justice. His vision of the My own parish, All Saints, Pasadena, The famous "gang of three," (Mau- Kingdom (sic) of Christ and his praxis is in a process of education to ready rice, Ludlow, Kingsley) published a were limited by his class, race, gender, ourselves for the best plan of action. tract called "To the Workmen of Eng- culture, religion, nationality and gen- We are viewing the video, "The Wrath land" in which they said that the work- eration — to cite only those factors of of Grapes" in all grade levels and all

THE WITNESS adult groups. We are promoting dia- sus' words very seriously that "whoever chatted briefly and as we neared the air- logue, trips to Delano for NFWM Semi- harms one of these," his little ones, it port you made a comment about the nars, Forums on Pesticides, etc. We can were better for them that a millstone be church's discussion of homosexuality. do no less. hung around their necks and they be You said you were worried because Millie Moser thrown into the sea. your teenage daughter has a teacher Altadena, Cal. I just received my post-Convention who is openly homosexual. "This mailing from the Prayer Book Society. I teacher uses the same address as an- ask myself, if Jesus were alive today, other teacher. They don't even try to Union seal of approval would he be more concerned with a hide it." You were concerned about the On behalf of the Committee of Interns book of prayers, or the fact that at this message being given your child. publication. and Residents, I'd like to thank Susan very moment some little child is being I should have said something then,

and Pierce for the excellent and insightful forced into a sexual encounter with a but I chose not to. I'm sorry. Please al- article she wrote for the June WIT- poor sick adult? low me to say it now.

reuse NESS, "Union-busting at St. Else- And I am still left with one big ques- Homosexuality is not a choice. Your

for where." tion: Who, with money and power in child is already either hetero- or homo- The article was the perfect vehicle for sexual. Her teacher will not change publicizing what happened at St. John's this Episcopal Church, is concerned enough to do something about incest? It your daughter's sexual orientation — required Episcopal Hospital. Its presentation of but may save your child's life. both sides gave a very clear picture of is not just another women's issue — the issues and principles involved. though it would be a marvelous project If your child is a lesbian, the presence I'm following up on the people I met for bishops' wives. But please, who up of a happy, healthy role model could Permission at General Convention who said they'd there is listening? mean the difference between life and write a letter of protest to the adminis- An abbot said to me after he read my death. A disproportionate number of article in the April WITNESS, "Some- lesbian and gay teenagers attempt sui-

DFMS. trator of St. John's.

/ thing must be done!" I invited him to cide. Imagine the lesbian teen trying to Please give my regards and thanks to come to terms with her sexuality in a the Episcopal Church Publishing Com- remember both abused and abusers in his prayers daily. I ask the same of society that will not only tell her that Church pany and THE WITNESS staff for their readers of THE WITNESS. she is sick and immoral, but will also encouragement and support at the Con- suggest to her that she has no hope of vention. Again, thanks for standing with Roberta Nobleman Dumont, N J. ever leading a happy and fulfilled life.

Episcopal us in solidarity against those who would turn back the clock on workers' rights. I grew up when people didn't talk the about homosexuality and teachers of Edna Williams Hawkins to Canada didn't admit to it. God, I wish they had. CIR Contract Administrator The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, Can- New York, NY All that silence meant that I had no role ada, would like permission to distribute models. So I grew up believing that I Archives (A glimmer of progress was noted in copies of the article, "Curing the sick- August when a member of Bishop Orris was destined to a life of isolation. I ness of homophobia" by Richard T. thought that I would never be able to 2020. Walker's staff conferred with CIR rep- Hawkins in the March WITNESS at a hold or be held by anyone; that I would resentatives to explore a future meeting Clergy Day where the main discussion of both sides in the two-year-old union- always live alone. I couldn't even touch will center on AIDS. Thank you for my friends, because if I did they might

Copyright busting controversy. — Ed.) your cooperation. guess my terrible secret and abandon Ann Day, Secretary me. A kid who thinks she'll never have Diocese of Ottawa a partner can't afford to lose her Incest neglected issue friends. I never attempted suicide, but I I was gratified to have Bishop John sometimes wonder why not. Spong's support, and to hear of one par- Silence can kill The Episcopal Church being what it ish (St. James, Old Town, Me.,) and Open letter to the nice woman on the is, and me being one of its hostages at one diocese, that is dealing with the is- airport shuttle: the moment, I'm not going to sign this sue of incest, as revealed in the July/ You may remember me. We spoke as letter. However, let me assure you, I August Letters to the Editor. But it is we boarded the shuttle to the airport at only a beginning. We have to take Je- the end of General Convention. We Continued on page 21

October 1988 EDITOR Mary Lou Suhor

ASSISTANT EDITOR Susan E. Pierce About our new bishop Our October issue was at the printer when news arrived that the Rev. Barbara Harris, executive director of the Episcopal Church SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Publishing Company, had been elected Suffragan Bishop of Mas- Robert L. DeWitt sachusetts and the first woman bishop of the worldwide Anglican Communion. At her request, THE WITNESS had not run a story about her candidacy because she felt it would be self-serving and publication. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS did not wish to prejudice the election. But after the fact, we Carter Heyward stopped the press and replaced our cover, editorial page, and and James Lewis pages 22-23 to give readers a glimpse of initial reactions and Manning Marable general mayhem which followed. More next month. reuse J. Antonio Ramos for William W. Rankin Table of Contents STAFF required Ann Hunter Susan Small The politics of intolerance 6 Manning Marable

Permission PUBUSHER Episcopal Church Publishing Company National Guard in Central America

DFMS. 9 Elizabeth Killough / ECPC BOARD OF DIRECTORS 'Last Temptation' not heretical

Church 12 Paul Moore, Jr. CHAIR J. Antonio Ramos Lambeth puts on a new face

Episcopal VICE-CHAIR 14 Barbara C. Harris Carman St. J. Hunter the of SECRETARY Weaving the dream Gloria Brown 16 Susan E. Pierce

Archives TREASURER Robert N. Eckersley 2020. John H. Burt Alice Callaghan Otis Charles v_^

Copyright Migdalia DeJesus-Torres Beth Seka; graphics p. 7 © Volk; graphics p. 10-11 AFSC; graphic p. 13 Robert F. William MacKaye McGovern; Boswell photo p. 20 Jerry Bauer; photos p. 23, Michael Heayn. Nan Arrington Peete William W. Rankin Chester L. Talton THE WITNESS(ISSN0197-8896) is published monthly except July/August by The Episcopal Church Chris Weiss Publishing Company. Editorial office: P.O. Box 359, Ambler, PA 19002. Telephone(215) 643-7067. THE WITNESS is indexed in the American Theological Library Association's Religion Index One Periodicals. University Microfilms International, Ann Arbor, ML, reproduces this publication in micro- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR form: microfiche and 16mm or 35 mm film. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 1988. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $15 Barbara C. Harris per year, $1.50 per copy. Foreign subscriptions add $5 per year. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please advise of changes at least 6 weeks in advance. Include your label from the magazine and send to: Subscription Dept, THE WITNESS, P.O. Box 359, Ambler, PA 19002.

THE WITNESS Cheers for the Bishop-Elect by Mary i_ou Barbara C. Harris — the first woman to tions, combined with her notable where a Conference of Anglican Theolo- be elected a bishop in the United States achievements in the national and local gians was in progress, many joyful par- and the worldwide Anglican Commun- church. ticipants ran to ring the seminary bell. ion — has a favorite anecdote about her Her Church of the Advocate in a de- As the news spread on campus, semi- great-grandmother, Ida Brauner Sem- pressed inner city area in North Philadel- narians lined up to take turns on the bley, who lived on a plantation in Mary- phia has long been a site of historic rope, tolling the bell for more than a half land. secular and church events. During the hour. Among the bellringers were an Af- General Ulysses S. Grant rode through '60s, under Paul Washington, it was the rican bishop and an English priest. Large one day and stopped at a well where he site of Black power meetings and Black numbers of women on campus wore spied Ida, then a child. He asked her to Panther rallies; Stokely Carmichael once purple to class the next school day. publication. rinse the dipper and bring him a drink of spoke there. • When the Rev. Mary Lucas of and water. In those days, Barbara Harris was in- Winthrop, Mass., announced the news to She told him, "You don't need to rinse volved in the Civil Rights movement, the 30-member board of Womenchurch reuse the dipper. It's clean." participating in the Selma to Montgom- Convergence, a coalition of Roman for Grant rubbed her close-cropped head ery march led by Martin Luther King Catholic progressive women's groups and explained that someone might be and serving in the Delta ministry in meeting at her Episcopal church, cheers, Greenville, Miss., to register Black vot- whoops and sustained applause erupted. required trying to poison him because he was a general. "You see, I've been away fight- ers. ARD German TV, which was filming ing for little boys like you." In 1974 church history was made at the event, caught the moment. "We Ida Brauner Sembley shot back, "I'm the Advocate when the Philadelphia 11, know her as a woman of great courage Permission not a little boy. And I don't need any- the first Episcopal women priests, were and spirit," said Ruth Fitzpatrick, head body to fight for me — I can fight for "irregularly" ordained. Barbara Harris of Women's Ordination Conference.

DFMS. returned for the event from a business "She spoke at our national Woman- / myself." Today that same feisty family trait, trip in California, to serve as crucifer church meeting in Cincinnati, and be- undergirded by a deep faith, sustains and lead the procession, after which she lieve me, she's no token." Church Barbara Harris as she prepares to be- turned around and flew back to finish • In Philadelphia, the new bishop's come Suffragan of Massachusetts. her business obligations. native city, "Miss Bea" — her octoge- While hard days may lie ahead, total At the 1974 ordinations, the words of narian mother — had to relay calls from Episcopal jubilation rocked the Church of the Ad- St. Paul were embroidered on the altar news services all over the country since the

of vocate, where she serves as interim rec- cloth: "In Christ there is neither male "Barbara is also listed in the phone book tor, the Sunday following her election. nor female, slave nor free, Jew nor at my address," she said. After handling (See pages 22 and 23.) Greek." her umpteenth call, she teased THE

Archives Adding to the festive ambience was That biblical quote proved prophetic WITNESS, "put me on the payroll." the presence of the Rev. Paul Washing- for the Philadelphia 11, who broke the In 1984, the Episcopal Church Pub- 2020. ton, former rector, who reminisced at the model of an all-male priesthood, and lishing Company's Board of Directors service how he had first put off her re- paved the way for the "official" accep- named Barbara Harris as its executive quest to become a priest. He knew her as tance of women priests by the Episcopal director to oversee a variety of social Copyright an outstanding lay leader, a church and Church at its 1976 General Convention. justice programs, to contribute to THE community activist and asked her to And it proved prophetic as well for the WITNESS magazine, and, as a by-prod- "pray over it." woman who served as crucifer, and will uct, "to raise the visibility of ECPC." "What Barbara didn't tell me was that now bear a pectoral cross. As one friend Four years later, the Diocese of Mas- God was calling her to be a bishop," he commented, "Barbara is the only person sachusetts has elected Barbara Harris as laughed. I know who could move from crucifer to its suffragan bishop. Ordained to the priesthood in 1980 at bishop in 14 years." THE WITNESS wishes her Godspeed, the age of 50, Barbara Harris brings to Here are some early reports about and is pleased and honored that this her new post skills from a longtime lay celebrations across the country: magazine and ECPC are standing with career in administration and public rela- • At Virginia Theological Seminary, her at this moment in history. US3

October 1988 The politics of intolerance by Manning Marable

B>y any criteria, Jesse Jackson's 1988 Britain's Labour Party represents the campaign successes will weigh far more trade union movement. One might call significantly in the history books than for a political schism from the Demo- the election of either Bush or Dukakis. crats, by developing a political organiz- Jackson didn't win the presidential ing committee of representatives from \ nomination of the Democratic Party. But minority, feminist, labor, farmer, envi- that was never the fundamental purpose ronmentalist, and other liberal constitu- publication. of his campaign. The electoral mobiliza- encies, and then establishing the frame- Jesse Jackson and tion represented a political protest work to launch a third party from a local bow is whether they will be able to rec- against the increasing conservatism and and statewide basis in limited areas. But reuse oncile the goals, aims, and objectives of neo-Reaganism of the Democratic Party. the odds of mounting such a strategy for this constituency with the electoral strat- It symbolized an effort to coalesce the successfully are admittedly slim. The broad, progressive forces within the lib- egy and strategic compromises they have last successful third party effort, which already made,with conservatives. required eral-to-left wing of the party behind a led to the formation of the Republican Dukakis really owes his current stature candidate. Party, was back in the 1850s. to Jesse Jackson, in at least two respects. Jackson's Rainbow coalition was also Jackson's convention speech was First, Jackson denied other candidates implicitly a critique of the bankruptcy of schizophrenic, in the sense that it was Permission the Black electorate and millions of ad- America's two-party system, which actually two speeches with radically dif- ditional liberal voters, limiting the avail- promises democratic choices but delivers ferent audiences and purposes. The first

DFMS. able electoral base which other candi-

/ predictably bland candidates of clone- speech, Jackson's initial remarks, called dates could develop. Second, running to like ideological hues. If we had an elec- for party unity between the progressive Dukakis' left, Jesse has allowed the gov- toral system similar to West Germany's, Church and conservative wings among Demo- ernor to present himself as a fiscal con- for instance, which permits parliamen- crats. He accepted the vice presidential servative and ideologically moderate lib- tary representation if parties obtain a nomination of Bentsen, a "Tory Demo- eral, appealing to Gore and Gephardt minimum of 5% of the total electorate's Episcopal crat" who is to the right of Bush in nu- voters. vote, the Rainbow would not be inside

the merous respects. Jackson acknowledged In the last analysis, there will never be of the Democratic Party at all. There would the necessity to close ranks against the peace between the two wings of the be no reason to compromise one's politi- GOP foes, and promised his allegiance Democratic Party. Either the conserva- cal principles with the likes of Sam to the Dukakis effort. These concessions Archives Nunn and Lloyd Bentsen, since the tives will purge the left, or the liberals were required if Jackson or his closest will be transformed into moderates and Rainbow would control its own organi- political associates were to exercise any 2020. zation, agenda and political destinies. will disavow their old agendas. In the future leverage within the Democratic near future, the Rainbow will be forced The problem with this scenario is that Party's hierarchy. Jackson is already to face this hard reality. within this country, one has a winner- Copyright looking ahead to 1992 or 1996. The U.S. political system is unique in take-all electoral system. There are two Jackson's second speech, was, of that it gives the electorate "selections massive electoral parties which are course, his prime message to the grass- without choices." The Republican con- largely dominated by corporate interests roots, Rainbow constituency. With tell- vention in New Orleans was a dreary and upper-class elites. The Democratic ing effect, the moving personal story — event, entertaining only in the sense that Party no longer pretends that it is a "la- "I understand when nobody knows your it showed that thousands of people can bor party" in the limited sense that name or when others call you outcast" dwell in political unreality, espousing — spoke for millions of the poor and dogmatic and dangerous slogans rather Dr. Manning Marable, Chairperson of the Black oppressed. But the real challenge for than serious issues, marching lockstep Studies Department at Ohio State University, is Jackson and the proponents of the Rain- a Contributing Editor to THE WITNESS. into the abyss of fear, war and intoler-

THE WITNESS ance. The Democrats are only superior The Hispanic vote for Dukakis, exclud- poor Whites, create the target of the so- due to the presence of progressive forces ing the Cuban electorate, should be at called lazy and shiftless welfare mother within their ranks, but even the least 75%. The unemployed will go for who buys choice steaks and drives pink Rainbow's stunning victories last spring Dukakis by 65 to 75%; union household Cadillacs. Pretend that the 2 million do not negate the intellectual and politi- voters should support Dukakis by homeless Americans don't exist. Blame cal poverty of the bulk of the Demo- roughly 60%. the Democrats for every environmental cratic Party's centrist and rightwing We can be fairly accurate in these pre- problem, from AIDS-infected needles on leaders. When the two parties compete, dictions, because of the previous elec- public beaches to toxic wastes in our personalities rather than issues generally toral trends in 1976, 1980, and 1984, as drinking water, despite the reality that dominate. Seldom is the average voter well as current opinion polls among seg- the Reaganites have done everything given an opportunity to make a viable ments of the voting age population. We possible to relax, if not entirely outlaw, choice between candidates who symbol- also know, conversely, that at least three environmental protection laws. This is ize fundamentally distinct policy alterna- quarters of all born-again Christian the politics of bigotry, ideological rigid- publication. tives. evangelicals will go for Bush; that 70% ity and national chauvinism. Many and The current presidential contest is a of all voters earning over $100,000 an- Democrats imitate the same rightwing good example of this dilemma. Michael nually will support the Republican na- strategy, but the Republican national reuse Dukakis and George Bush have had dif- tional ticket, and that a substantial ma- ticket has elevated the politics of intoler- for ferent political careers and experiences jority of homeowners and property own- ance to a dangerous level, building upon in public life. Dukakis is a three-term ers will endorse Bush. In effect, these the dogmatic and destructive foundations voters are not selecting one candidate required governor of an eastern state, who has ofReaganism. had considerable administrative experi- over another. They are voting their so- The political offensive against Blacks, ence. Bush is a former Congressman, cial class interests as best as they can Hispanics, Native Americans, small ambassador, CIA head — a political perceive them, within the limited and farmers, women, workers, environmen- Permission chameleon whose identification with contradictory framework of America's talists, civil rights advocates, gays and moderate Republicanism declined as his electoral system. lesbians and other groups assumes a dis- DFMS.

/ narrow ambitions for higher office Traditionally, presidential campaigns tinct form in each case. Nevertheless, the soared. Dukakis' record on Civil Rights don't begin until after Labor Day, and general trend is toward greater authori- does not equal that of Walter Modale, the majority of American voters don't tarian rhetoric, and an anti-pluralistic Church and Bush's record is at best pathetic. But pay too much attention to the candidates and intolerant attitude toward the rights given the conditions facing racial mi- until after the World Series begins. But of minorities. When it is possible to norities, farmers, the elderly, and indi- 1988 seems to be an exception. Dukakis blame feminists, people of color, union Episcopal viduals on welfare or other government declined in the polls in the wake of members, or "other greedy special inter- the

of programs, the selection between Bush Bush's dishonest assault against the ests" for one problem or another, with- and Dukakis is easy. Unquestionably, Democrat's public record. The Republi- out offering any serious or substantive Dukakis is the "better candidate." With- can mudslinging was persuasive, how- evidence, a climate which promulgates

Archives out fear of contradiction, we can easily ever, with many White working class public repression is inevitable. The predict that more than 90% of the Black Democrats and Southern Whites who scapegoating of minorities and op- 2020. electorate which casts ballots this No- had voted for Reagan in 1984. Bush's pressed social classes leads to the pre- vember will go for Dukakis over Bush. advisers have a single-minded strategy emptive dismissal of their legitimate to achieve victory for their candidate, a Copyright strategy which can be understood as the "politics of intolerance." The politics of intolerance, first, cre- ates political scapegoats who are suppos- edly responsible for all of society's prob- lems. For middle to lower class Whites who usually vote Democratic but who are fearful of crime, the Republican message is to conjure up the racist image of the Black and Hispanic criminal. For

October 1988 grievances; the intolerant politician loves to "blame the victim" for his/her exploitation, and argues that criminality Noted social activist dies among the poor is solely the product of individual choices, rather than largely the social and economic consequence of J. he Episcopal Church lost yet another poverty, poor schools, social deprivation prominent lay leader and social activist and class oppression. This elitist per- when Robert S. Potter died after a pro- spective reinforces the public's demand tracted illness in August. He was 68. for the death penalty, the expansion of The Rt. Rev. Paul Moore, Jr., Bishop prison construction, and the passage of of New York, and the Rt. Rev. John Co- repressive legislation which could limit burn, retired Bishop of Massachusetts, civil liberties. presided at the memorial service in thanksgiving for his life Aug. 24 at St.

publication. The Bush-Quayle ticket is based on a narrow, rightwing agenda which rein- James Church on Madison Avenue. and A partner of the prestigious law firm forces the politics of intolerance. If Bush m •*>, of Patterson, Belknap, Webb and Tyler

reuse manages to defeat Dukakis, Americans of New York City, Potter was especially for can anticipate a fundamental erosion of the democratic rights of minorities and known for his advocacy of social respon- the acceleration of a racial backlash sibility in investments, minority rights, required against affirmative action and civil and his counsel to the church in legal rights. matters. We need to be clear, however, about He served as Acting Chancellor for Robert S. Potter

Permission what is at stake in the selection of Presiding Bishop John Hines from 1970 Dukakis vs. Bush. There is a distinct dif- to 1974 and Chancellor of the Diocese of salaries with the reluctant John Allin Ad- ference between the two candidates. But New York during that period as well. He ministration. Later, when Cueto and DFMS. / that difference will not culminate in any chaired the Episcopal Church's Commit- ECPC Board member Steven Guerra fundamentally different policy alterna- tee on Social Criteria for Investments were summoned before another Grand Jury, Potter was back in court, serving as Church tives in many areas of domestic and for- while serving on the Executive Council. legal counsellor for ECPC. eign affairs. His pro bono work frequently cast him in unusual roles, such as the juxtaposi- He also served as trustee for the Epis- Bush and Dukakis are opponents, only copal Divinity School and trustee for the Episcopal tion of his work as legal counsel for the in that the victory of one will mean po- NAACP Legal Defense and Education the litical oblivion for the other. But beyond Wall Street Journal and consultant for of the Episcopal Church Publishing Com- Fund, among many other community personality battles resides the heart of posts. politics, the question of power. And pany and THE WITNESS magazine. A THE WITNESS joins thousands across whether Bush or Dukakis win this com- longtime friend and supporter of ECPC, Archives the country in mourning his death, and ing November, the issue of empowering he served for two terms as a member of its board. celebrating his life. Our deepest sympa- 2020. the poor, minorities, working women, thy goes to his wife Isabel, and his five the unemployed and others who experi- When Maria Cueto, executive director children. ence racism, economic oppression and of the National Commission on Hispanic Affairs at the Episcopal Church Center, Copyright discrimination is not on the national agenda. E3 refused in conscience to testify before a Correction Grand Jury in the '70s, Potter filed an On the Short Takes page of the amicus brief on behalf of the National September WITNESS, the ordina- MOVING? Council of Churches and the Episcopal tion year of the Philadelphia 11 — Church Publishing Company in her sup- the first Episcopal women priests Keep THE WITNESS coming by sending a — was cited as 1984 instead of corrected mailing label from a recent issue port. When Cueto and her secretary, 1974. Also, Bishop Edward Welles' to: THE WITNESS, P.O. Box 359, Ambler Raisa Nemikin, were sentenced to jail PA 19002. Please send it at least six weeks correct middle initial is R., not T. for refusing to testify, Potter served as before you move. Sorry about the typos. negotiator for the women about their

THE WITNESS National Guard joins secret war

Vice Presidential nominee Dan Quayle propelled the National Guard into the headlines recently when it was revealed that he had pulled strings to join the Guard, thereby avoiding service in Vietnam. The issue provides an opportunity to explore implications of service in the National Guard today. For example, 90% of the U.S. military personnel being sent to Central America belong to the National Guard, as part of the Reagan Administration's Low Intensity Conflict strategy. Elizabeth Killough, co-director of the Central America Organizing Project in Philadelphia, has done extensive research in the area and authored a pamphlet for the American Friends Service Committee entitled Off Guard. Excerpts appear below, with AFSC's permission. publication. and w.hat is the purpose of the Na- warriors," unfit for combat. Air National mere training. For example, while train- reuse tional Guard? Guard pilots, for example, tend to have ing in Morocco, a crew of Air National

for National Guard units are state forces far more flight experience than those in Guardsmen from Washington state par- called out by governors to assist in the Air Force and other services. ticipated in the 1986 raid on Libya by emergencies such as natural disasters, refueling aircraft used in the operation required riots and strikes. They are also a federal What are the obligations of Guard from a tanker over the Atlantic; their reserve force and can therefore be called members? governor was told that the Guardsmen out in the event of a national emergency, About 557,000 people make up the "did not participate in any active capac-

Permission sent on training missions, or used in National Guard. A fifth of them in are in ity." Also while training, a crew from war. the Air National Guard (making it the Arkansas participated in the 1983 Gre- world's fourth largest air force) and the nada invasion. Other Guardsmen from DFMS. As the National Guard has increas- / ingly been called up to serve as a federal rest are in the Army National Guard. Arkansas trained in Chile in 1985 with reserve force, some governors have Most of these people hold civilian jobs the Chilean military, which has been

Church grown concerned that the Guard is being or attend school while participating in barred from receiving U.S. military aid used as a tool for foreign policy in dan- the National Guard on a part-time basis. since 1976 because of the country's hu- gerous situations and that they are losing They begin their obligation with 8 to 12 man rights record. While the Guardsmen Episcopal control over it as a state force. weeks of basic training (unless they are were in Chile their governor believed the veterans), often followed by 8 to 15 they were participating in NATO exer- of How important is the National Guard weeks of advanced individual training. cises and training for which he had given to overall U.S. military policy? Thereafter, most Guard members train authorization. one weekend each month, plus a 15-day

Archives Before the draft was suspended in Although not all training is a guise for 1973, the National Guard provided a period each year for an initial term of active participation in explosive or ille-

2020. backdrop for the active forces. Since eight years. Although much of this train- gal situations, a dangerous and deceptive then, the National Guard has been given ing takes place in the unit's home state, precedent has been set a more active role in national defense; from the 1960s onwards some training

Copyright National Guard and Reserve Forces are has taken place overseas. In 1987, for What about the National Guard train- now responsible for providing almost example, 54,000 National Guard mem- ing in Central America? half of all combat forces and two-thirds bers trained in some 52 countries. Since 1984, over 42,000 National of combat support and service structures. Guardsmen from 43 states have trained To carry out this role, the National Why be concerned about the National in Central America almost uninterrupt- Guard has made several changes in re- Guard training overseas? edly. In 1987 alone over 10,000 Guards- cent years, including nearly doubling its Under the guise of "training" and men trained in the region. This training number of combat-ready troops and re- without the knowledge of their state gov- is frequently coupled with that of other moving women from most of its units. ernors, some National Guardsmen have military forces, such as the May 1987 National Guard units are not "weekend taken part in missions that go beyond "Solid Shield" exercises, in which

October 1988 50,000 military personnel simulated a vention of the law occurs when equip- country like Honduras, whose economic U.S. response to a request from Hondu- ment used in training exercises is left and educational needs far outstrip its ras to help fight against Nicaraguan behind for the Contras. In 1983, for ex- military needs, will foster misunder- forces. Most National Guard training in ample, there is evidence that an inter- standing and aggravate any misgivings." Central America takes place in Hondu- agency "core group" aiding the Contras ras, the host nation of U.S .-sponsored despite congressionally imposed limits, What is the real purpose of the U.S. Contra forces. Recent National Guard had several planes used in exercises de- military presence in Honduras? training missions in Honduras have in- clared "excess" so as to make them Through National Guard "training" cluded 1) constructing a network of mili- available for the Contras. missions a constant U.S. military pres- tary bases and airstrips; 2) building mili- Many believe that U.S. military pres- ence is maintained in Honduras in order tary-standard roads; 3) implementing ence and activity, including that of the to send a clear message to the Nicara- medical training and civic action pro- National Guard, violates national and in- guan government and the resistance grams; 4) making embassy flight runs ternational laws. For example, "training" movements of El Salvador, Guatemala, with supplies into every Central Ameri- that supports the Contras (e.g., building and Honduras. publication. can country; 5) providing aerial intelli- airstrips for their use) violates the U.S. Making public a U.S. Army Audit and gence over El Salvador; 6) participating Neutrality Act and the charters of the Agency report on the Blazing Trails '86 in military maneuvers with the Hondu- United Nations and the Organization of exercises, Rep. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) reuse ran military within 18 miles of the Nica- American States because such actions stated that "the Pentagon was less con- for raguan border. support war against Nicaragua, a nation cerned with training than projecting a with which the U.S. and Honduras have military presence in the region" and that required Why have these training missions be- diplomatic relations. "there was no assurance that training, the come controversial? This training and military buildup in alleged purpose of the exercise, was ac- Much of the money used in the con- impoverished Honduras is generating tually taking place." Within this scheme hostility. Smaller than Pennsylvania, Permission struction of roads and base facilities is the National Guard units provide infor- earmarked by Congress as money for with a population for four and a half mil- mation for the U.S. military, leave weap- temporary structures. Although techni- lion people, Honduras is the second ons and other equipment in Honduras, DFMS. / cally they may be temporary, for practi- poorest country in Latin America. An help train local police and military force, cal purposes they amount to permanent average of 50 Honduran children die and assist the Contras — all without from preventable diseases every day. Church structures. Moreover, to circumvent a congressional approval. ceiling of $200,000 on construction proj- While U.S. troops have constructed or The National Guard is incorporated ects, the Pentagon has artificially di- upgraded 11 military-standard airstrips into a military scenario to invade Nicara- in this small nation, the civilian airstrips Episcopal vided projects into smaller components. gua, which President Reagan asserts is have remained unlighted and in need of the National Guard Units have worked on "an eventual option in the region, if of some of these projects. Further circum- resurfacing. Moreover, the training has other policy alternatives fail." The Na- resulted in the forced relocation of tional Guard is also incorporated into a countless Hondurans and the ecological policy of counter-insurgency or the Archives damage of thousand of acres (for ex- "winning of the hearts and minds" of ample, from accidental fires set by tracer

2020. Hondurans. Through their activities, bullets). Plans to construct an airstrip such as medical care, the National Guard and military base in San Jose del Potrero provides the U.S. with a humanitarian involve taking over 1,320 acres of farm

Copyright image while acquainting Guard units land, leaving 1,200 peasants landless. It with the region and preparing them for is little wonder that Hondurans from all combat intervention. walks of life are speaking out against the In May 1987 The New York Times re- U.S. military presence despite the risks vealed that a group of government offi- of repression and physical violence for cials, including Lt. Col. Oliver North, doing so. Rep. Joseph Brennan, former had developed a plan several years ear- governor of Maine, comments on Na- tional Guard training: "Any military lier to send continuous training missions presence, regardless of its intent, in a to Honduras "so that the American mili- tary and infrastructure would be en-

10 THE WITNESS larged at a time when Congress ada- Central America. Citizens' groups such ica nor does it challenge overseas train- mantly opposed a permanent presence in as the Center for Constitutional Rights ing and preparedness in principle. The that country." The National Guard is not and the Christie Institute have used law- U.S. government, the main defendant in merely training — it could do that on suits as a vehicle for challenging U.S. the lawsuit, is arguing that because the U.S. soil. Rather it is playing an instru- disregard for law in Central America. National Guard is also a federal reserve mental role in a foreign policy rooted in One important check, however, has force, the relevant clause of the deception and illegality. been eliminated. As commanders-in- Constitution is that which empowers the chief of the National Guard during federal government to "raise and sup- peacetime, governors have had the port" (train) armies. Given the Central American Peace power to veto overseas training sites. Plan, isn't it alarmist to talk about the Governor Perpich's lawsuit has thus Because some governors refused to send possibility of national troops involved far been joined by six other governors. their National Guard Units to Central in combat? Dismissed by a Federal District Court in America, Congress, with prompting Minneapolis, it is on appeal to the 8th All evidence indicates that the U.S. from the Pentagon, passed the Circuit Court of Appeals. publication. does not have a commitment to the Montgomery Amendment in November In February 1988, Governor Michael and Peace Plan. The approval of continued 1986. This amendment prevents gover- Dukakis of Massachusetts filed a similar aid to the Contras in November and De- nors from vetoing training sites because suit in a Federal District Court in Bos- reuse cember 1987 not only violated the text of objections to the "location, purpose,

for ton. The Perpich and Dukakis suits will of the plan, but also the plan's central type or schedule" of the training. reinforce one another. purpose of encouraging combatants to make a transition to peaceful political required Haye any governors opposed the competition. The U.S. stance leaves the Montgomery Amendment? Where can Guard members unwilling plan's success questionable. Just after the Montgomery Amend- to train in Central America learn the

Permission ment passed in the House of Representa- options available to them? But don't we have a system of checks tives, the nation's governors voted Free legal counsel on these issues is and balances to prevent this sort of unanimously against the measure at a available from the Center for Constitu- DFMS. / thing from happening? meeting of the National Governors' As- tional Rights in New York City. Congress has been slow to use its own sociation. While governors disagreed as No Guard member has yet requested a

Church power to restrain the Administration. It to whether the National Guard should training exemption from Central Amer- took the shooting down of Eugene train in Central America, all agreed that ica duty for political and moral reasons. Hasenfus' Contra supply plane and the maintaining control over the Guard, in- However, a member of the Air Force

Episcopal revelations of a newspaper in Lebanon to cluding where it trains, was matter of has. Sgt. Daniel Cobos worked from a

the prod Congress into investigating the ac- states' rights guaranteed by the spy plane over Nicaragua transcribing of tivities of National Security Staff offi- Constitution. Republican Governor information electronically transmitted by cials. However, Sen. Jim Sasser, Chair Atiyeh of Oregon summed up the gover- the Nicaraguan military. He believes that of the Military Construction Subcommit- nors' unanimous stance when he said, the information he collected was given Archives tee, as well as other congressional lead- "We are telling the Pentagon, 'Keep to the Contras to assist them in preparing your hands off.'" their attacks on civilians and Nicaraguan 2020. ers, are beginning to hold hearings in or- der to make the Administration more ac- military units. countable for its policy and behavior in Are there efforts to rescind the Sgt. Cobos has filed as a conscientious

Copyright Montgomery Amendment? objector. If his application is denied his Governor Rudy Perpich of Minnesota court defense will be that it is his legal is challenging the Montgomery Amend- duty not to participate in military opera- ment in the courts. The primary argu- tions that violate international law. His ment of his lawsuit is that the Montgom- case could set a precedent for other mili- ery Amendment violates the "militia tary personnel. Updated information on clause" of the Constitution, which em- Sgt. Cobos' case and on similar issues is powers each state to train its National available through a free publication en- Guard. The lawsuit raises no questions titled On Guard (175 Fifth Ave., New about U.S. policy toward Central Amer- York, NY 10010). m

October 1988 11 'Last Temptation' not heretical by Paul Moore, Jr.

herever people bottle up their true claimed that he was a God disguised as a ten, 'You shall worship the Lord your emotions, there is anger. Whenever human being, much like the ancient God, and Him only shall you serve.'" people submit to domination of their Greek and Roman gods who would come This temptation was one of pride and souls by religious tyrants, hostility builds down to walk the earth. However, the power. Pride is the most serious of sins within them. They dare not become an- Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D. de- and the one at the very heart of evil, as gry at the true source of their rage — the fined Jesus as being fully man and fully illustrated in the Bible from the story of fundamentalist preacher, the Roman God in one person, a view accepted the Garden of Eden to Jesus' condemna- Catholic cardinal — and so, the anger down through the ages by Protestants, tion of the self-righteous Pharisees. Sins publication. occasionally breaks forth against surro- Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Ortho- of the flesh are considered far less seri- and gate targets. The targets are often indi- dox. ous. Saving the adulterous woman from cated to the faithful by those same lead- Although the film's camera work and an angry mob, Jesus says to her merely, reuse ers, who seem to be aware of settings have no prurient overtones, crit- "You are forgiven. Go, and sin no for repression's need for release. They ma- ics are enormously upset to see Jesus, more." nipulate their followers' hostility with even though only in a dream (and only Why then this hysterical mob reaction required the ulterior motive of strengthening their in a movie!), having sex. In The Last against showing a temptation of sex. If, power base. Temptation of Christ, during a sequence as the Bible states, Jesus was "tempted Flagrant examples of this have oc- on the cross, Jesus, in his delirium, hal- in every way, yet without sin," surely curred throughout history; the mobs lucinates that an angel, bearing a mes- Permission sexual temptation must have occurred at cheering as Joan of Arc was burned sage from his heavenly Father, tells him one time or another. alive; the crowd taunting as the "fag- he has suffered enough and may now re- Fundamentalists and Roman Catholics DFMS. / gots" were lighted beneath individuals nounce his destiny and lead a normal life have always feared the enormous power accused of being homosexuals; the on earth. It is not hard to imagine that of human sexuality. So powerful is the people of Jerusalem shouting, "Crucify any of us in a similar position might well Church sexual drive that even Jimmy Swaggart him, crucify him." have experienced such a temptation. Je- and Jim Bakker went astray. In the controversy over the movie, The sus yields, and in the following scenes, Often, when people are afraid of their makes love and has a family. Later, on Episcopal Last Temptation of Christ, no physical sexuality, they use religion to control it. violence has yet occurred, but irrational, his death bed, his disciples around him, the Religious emotion is as strong as sexual of even hysterical emotion has been loosed. Jesus is accused of betraying his destiny, emotion and comes from the same The most disturbing fact is that the film his God and all of humanity. He looks to depths of the human personality. When is being condemned largely by those the angel and at that moment the angel they are played against each other, the Archives who have not seen it. Some churches changes into Satan. Jesus wakes up, still result is hysterical behavior. are, ironically, using their worldly power on the cross, and cries triumphantly, "It One of the emotional dynamics of 2020. to crucify the film's director, Martin is accomplished." He has overcome the sexually repressive religion consists of Scorsese, and the producers, just as the temptation. building sexual guilt and then offering High Priests of old crucified their sub- In the Scriptures, Jesus experienced forgiveness — the "hook", as it were — Copyright ject. History repeats itself. far more serious temptation than sexual whereby salvation can be found only in Many of these critics have fallen prey desire. After his baptism, in the strange turning to institutional religion. Religion to the recurring heresy known as Do- spiritual state of a long fast, he dreamt remains in control and the institution cetism. Condemned by the early church, that Satan had taken him to a mountain- builds its power. Docetism denied Jesus' humanity, and top. Looking out over the whole world, Another criticism raised is that both Satan proposed, "All this will I give you, Nikos Kazantzakis, the author of the if you will fall down and worship me." novel on which the film is based, and The Rt. Rev. Paul Moore, Jr. is the Episcopal Jesus must have paused, but then he an- Bishop of New York, who, unlike many detrac- director Scorsese, portray Jesus as grow- tors, has seen the film. swered, "Begone, Satan! For it is writ- ing gradually into an understanding and

12 THE WITNESS acceptance of his Messianic role. This the night before his arrest, he prayed to interpretation is not new. It lies well have "this cup of suffering" taken away Back Issues Available: within the boundaries of church teaching from his lips. "Yet not as I will, but as • God and Mother Russia: Epis- and can be found in the Gospels. Ac- thou wilt, shall it be done." Even on the copal priest William Teska inter- cording to Matthew, "... when Jesus cross he experienced doubt, the fear of views Konstantin Kharchev, USSR came into the district of Caesarea Phil- ultimate desolation, as he felt deserted Councillor for Religious Affairs, on ippi, he asked his disciples, 'Whom do by the very power which drove his life how perestroika affects religion; men say that I am?' And they said, towards that cross, crying "My God, my major articles by Sovietologist Paul 'Some say John the Baptist, others say God, why have you forsaken me?" Valliere, Bill and Polly Spofford, Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the St. John states in his Gospel, "The Mary Lou Suhor on their visits to prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do Word was made flesh and dwelt among the USSR; statistics on major reli- gious bodies in the USSR; Dr. John you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, us." The Last Temptation of Christ ex- Burgess' assessment of the 1986 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living plores, in the most penetrating way I Human Rights Seminar sponsored God.'" Jesus, uncertain of who he was, have experienced in drama or on film, publication. by the National Council of is finally assured by his disciples. the terrifying consequences of such an Churches in Moscow. 28 pages. and Let us go deeper and try to compre- event. And though I have reservations Must reading for pilgrims going to hend the complexities, the struggles about some aspects of the film, I believe the Soviet Union this year. reuse within Jesus' human soul. The film por- for it accurately portrays a profound truth on trays Jesus' growing sense that he was a which our faith is based. • Eleven myths about death: teacher of divine truth, a prophet, the We believe that the Mystery of Being, Lead article by the Rev. Charles required Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of from whom flows our universe in all its Meyer discusses: Pulling the plug is suicide/murder; To die of dehy- God, with a mission which would ulti- light years of wonder, is the same Mys- dration or starvation in a hospital is mately destroy him. This mission drove tery behind love, beauty, and truth be- inhuman; Dying Is 'God's will';

Permission him to confront the power of religion yond words. We believe this love al- Where there's life, there's hope and and the power of the state. Yet again and lowed a world of freedom to exist — seven other myths about death again, he cringed before his destiny. On though it be filled with pain — within which serve as impediments to de- DFMS. / which we work out our destiny. And we cision-making concerning life-sup- believe that, since this Mystery called port systems. In this issue also: the

Church God does not prevent the pain, God is Rev. Glenda Hope's reflection, willing to take it on. Whenever we are in Why fast for Lent — or any time. pain, in doubt, in grief, in despair, we

Episcopal know that God, in the flesh of Jesus, has To order, fill in coupon below and mail to THE WITNESS, P.O. the been there too. We know that Jesus, hav- of ing been victorious over his own tempta- Box 359, Ambler PA 19002. tions and agony, will lead us through ours to final victory. And whenever we Yes, please send me the back is- Archives sues I have checked at $1.50 each. experience or give love, we experience (Pre-paid orders only.)

2020. and are part of God's love. In our own suffering, we find a believable Savior in D God and Mother Russia Jesus' humanity and pain. In our own • 11 Myths about Death

Copyright loving, it is Jesus' message of love by which we are led to God. The Last Temptation will reach thou- Name sands of people who would never come near the church, which they view, rightly Address or wrongly, as too clean, too moralistic and too hypocritical. Because of this City film, more people than ever before will be thinking and talking about Jesus. In State Zip this we must rejoice. aa

October 1988 13 Lambeth puts on a new face by Barbara C. Harris

he fact that the 12th Lambeth Con- world economic system and Third World opening and closing meditations by ference would be different from any pre- debt. Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The African vious decennial gathering of bishops of In a special plenary devoted to African Anglican provinces are Burundi, the world-wide Anglican Communion concerns, Western nations received se- Rwanda and Zaire, Central Africa, the was evident long before the majestic vere criticism of their aid and economic Indian Ocean, Kenya, Nigeria, Southern procession for the opening Eucharist in policies. Noting that Africa's six million Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Canterbury Cathedral began to form. For refugees are principally the product of The Conference also received "The publication. the first time in Lambeth history, White, dictatorships and one-party governments Cambridge Declaration," a statement is-

and English-speaking bishops would not supported by nations in the West, Bishop sued by approximately 50 Afro-Anglican dominate the assembly. And five years Henry Okullu of Kenya asked: "Why bishops from Africa, the Caribbean and reuse of pre-Conference planning would result don't your nations supply us with food to the United States, who gathered for for in more than a few significant firsts: feed our starving children, instead of prayer, joint reflection and dialogue at a women having major roles in the pro- supplying us with guns to kill each pre-Lambeth meeting outside London. ceedings, the concerns of youth being other?" The consciousness-raising document required presented by their own representatives, The plenary opened with a report from threw a spotlight on Third World con- and an expanded ecumenical dimension. a 1987 meeting of African bishops, at- cerns similar to those discussed in ple- More than half the bishops assembled tended by 57 representatives from nine nary, and was circulated among Confer- Permission at Canterbury were persons of color and of the 10 African provinces. Key among ence study groups. representatives of so-called Third World the report's recommendations was a call Meanwhile, nuclear testing, bicultural-

DFMS. countries, with 175 from Africa alone. for the Anglican Communion to create ism, mission and Western churches' ne- / Although English is the lingua franca of an Eminent Persons Group to seek the glect of crucial local issues were among the Anglican Communion, for many par- assistance of the governments of Can- a variety of topics discussed during a Church ticipants it is not a first language. Ple- ada, West Germany, France, Britain and special plenary on Asia and the Pacific. nary sessions, therefore, provided simul- the United States in bringing pressure on Western political and economic interfer- taneous translations in Swahili, Japa- South Africa to withdraw from military ence and preoccupation with what were Episcopal nese, French and Spanish. and political occupation of Namibia. The perceived to be Western church issues the With the British press determined to report noted that 1988 marks the 10th were again strongly criticized by a panel of make ordination of women the issue, it anniversary of United Nations Resolu- of bishops from the Provinces of New was understandable that many bishops tion 435, which urged such withdrawal Zealand, Japan, Burma and from dio-

Archives from African nations and other belea- and was guaranteed by the five Western ceses in East Asia, Korea and the Philip- guered areas of the world were initially powers. pines. 2020. fearful that the devastating political, Also among concerns discussed were The region's small Anglican popula- economic, peace and justice issues with mounting tensions between Christians tion in relationship to other parts of the which they wrestle daily, as well as their and Muslims in the Sudan due to the Communion was cited by the Bishop of Copyright deep spiritual concerns, would be lost or imminent re-imposition of Sharia (Is- Polynesia, Jabez Bryce, as a reason for fail to be fully heard amidst the head- lamic law) as the law of the land, and its always being "grouped as another line-grabbing oratory on women. For the failure of Western nations to honor region's appendix" (his diocese is part of some present, ordination of women was an agreement made with Africa and the the Province of New Zealand). Regional not even a matter for consideration. For Caribbean and Pacific nations on lower- life and death issues were never heard by others, it was a troublesome item low on ing international debt. the West, he claimed, "but you blame us a long list of survival priorities that has The Conference joined in solidarity when we turn to people (like the USSR to do with famine and hunger, refugees, with the African bishops and their and Libya) who listen to us." Question- terrorism, racism, political repression, people by observing a day of fasting and ing the need to "test nuclear weapons for AIDS, violation of human rights, and the a Prayer Vigil through the night, with the security of France on the other side

14 THE WITNESS of the world at the expense of a few na- Thatcher, urging her to "sit down and graphs in your reports," as if women tives in the Pacific," Bryce rhetorically talk with those who represent the major- were an afterthought. asked if testing was safe, why didn't ity of South Africans." Signed by more Youth also had their say. The first- France test its weapons in France? than 200 of those attending the Lambeth ever Youth Presentation gave reports on The concerns of Asian provinces were Wives Conference, the petition resulted the Young Anglican Conference at Bel- also aired. Bishop K. H. Ting from the from discussions during which the par- fast, Northern Ireland, held in January, People's Republic of China spoke of ticipants agreed that racism is one of the 1988. Unfortunately, it took place in a "The Three-Self Movement," an indige- most disruptive influences on family life small open forum rather than before a nous Christian church involving self- and that the South African system of larger audience in the Plenary Hall. Four government, self-support and self-propa- apartheid makes women and children the young Anglicans from around the world gation. Ting said it was important that victims of "appalling repression and vio- — Australia, Chile, South Africa and the Christian church not be looked upon lence." The delegation was led by Anne Ireland — urged, as did the women, that as Western; "No more should people Booth-Clibborn, wife of the Bishop of their concerns be seriously reflected say, 'one more Christian, one less Chi- Manchester, England, and included Leah upon by the Conference. publication. nese.'" Tutu, wife of the Archbishop of Cape While a sense of history and tradition and The Archbishop of Burma, the Most Town and Ann Jones, wife of the Bishop pervaded the Conference, and was partly Rev. Andrew Mya Han, said Burma's of Indianapolis. responsible for the commitment to its reuse churches were growing, even though the A presentation on women's issues continuance, Lambeth 1988 was new, for country is predominantly Buddhist and which focused on concerns other than exciting and different even for some who the government strictly limits contact ordination evoked strong and mixed re- had previously attended. What began in required with the outside world. Han noted that it action from both men and women. A 1867 as an Anglican-only assembly was was the first time since 1958 that all of panel including theologian Dr. Sarah this year marked by a much wider than Burma's bishops, who are virtually iso- Coakley from the Department of Reli- ever participation of representatives

Permission lated from the rest of the church, have gious Studies, Lancaster University; Dr. from other branches of Christendom. been able to attend a Lambeth Confer- Mercy Oduyoye, Deputy General Secre- These included the churches of South ence. tary of the World Council of Churches; India, North India, Pakistan and Bangla- DFMS. / Human rights struggles in other parts and Vanessa MacKenzie, youth officer desh, which are in union with Anglicans; of the world were not forgotten. During for the Diocese of Johannesburg, pre- there were also bishops from churches in

Church a festival Eucharist in St. Paul's Cathe- sented a series of reflections designed to full communion with all or most of An- dral, London, celebrating the 200th anni- show that the concerns of women are glicanism — Mar Thoma of India, the versary of the arrival of the first Euro- global. The speakers called for a "total Philippine Independent and three of the

Episcopal pean settlers in Australia, the Primate of reevaluation" of traditional perceptions Old Catholic Churches: the Netherlands,

the Central Africa, the Most Rev. Khotso in the church and "redefining of roles." Germany and Polish National Catholic of Makhulu, struck a sobering note in his Featured speaker Dr. Mary Tanner, a in North America. In addition, more than sermon. He lamented the plight of the consultant to the Conference's section a score of Orthodox bishops and other Aborigines, whose much longer history on Ecumenical Relations, observed that ecumenical observers were significantly Archives had been largely ignored in the bicenten- "matters perceived as concerning women involved. Their presence gave credence

2020. nial observance and whose multiple only are not taken seriously as having to a series of 13 resolutions outlining an grievances about land rights, ancestral theological import. They are viewed as Anglican ecumenical stance and agenda homes and deaths while in police cus- being simply sociological, economical for the years ahead.

Copyright tody "have not been addressed." and political, as if these can be divorced As the opening procession wound its Following the Eucharist at St. Paul's, from our God-centered approach to life." way into the 12th-century Cathedral, it and in a dramatic departure from tradi- Tanner concluded by urging that the was clear from the presence of women tion, a group of bishops' wives delivered presentation be taken seriously by the and youth and the multi-hued complex- a petition to No. 10 Downing Street, Conference and noted: "We are not ions of bishops marching behind banners home of Prime Minister Margaret looking for any compensatory para- naming far corners of the globe that Lambeth '88 had, indeed, put on a new face. Ha Weaving the dream by susan E. pierce

In the English summer of 1988, women from all over the women's rights in their home provinces, found encourage- world traveled to Canterbury to make their mark on the Lam- ment from pioneers like the Rev. Li Tim Oi, the first woman beth Conference — the once-in-a-decade meeting of the bish- priest in the Anglican Communion, who provided a "mother- ops of the Anglican Communion. ing spirit" for the women's community. Ordained in 1944 in There was really no "place" for women, though a few had Japanese-occupied China, Li Tim Oi survived 40 years of been invited to be observers and consultants with voice but war, revolution, hardship and isolation, and now lives with no vote. Ironically, this all-male gathering was discussing her sister in Canada. The strength of her faith as she re- issues which affect women, such as poverty, polygamy, hu- counted her experiences left an indelible impression. man rights and ordination — but the women could only The Women's Presence at the Lambeth Conference had publication. watch from around the edges. great personal meaning for me. I went to honor the memory

and Because of this, the Episcopal Women's Caucus (EWC) in of my mother, Jan Pierce. The women dedicated their witness the United States launched a concerted effort to bring to to her. reuse Lambeth women from Central and South America, the Pa- She was one of the main driving forces for gathering the for cific, Asia, the Philippines and Africa, to assure a formidable women at Lambeth, but never lived to realize her dream — lobbying presence. These women and U.S. Caucus members she died suddenly in January. were housed at Spring Grove Oast in nearby Wye, and joined In 1987 she had traveled to Australia to ask members of required with the Movement for the Ordination of Women (MOW) in MOW how U.S. women could assist them and encourage Britain and Australia as witnesses for the concerns of the them to make the long, expensive journey to Lambeth. larger church. As I walked the streets of Canterbury and the country lanes Permission They prayed together, cooked meals, washed clothes, of Wye, I know she was there in spirit; I could feel her shared jokes, comforted each other and told their stories. In presence. But it was little consolation, especially for those

DFMS. the end, what happened among the women themselves will who looked for her to make some sense out of the whole / last long after the pronouncements of Lambeth are forgotten. mess, to pull everyone together, to find the absurdity and the Those who came to Lambeth weary from the struggle for fun, and bring out the Gospel in it all. Church

The challenge of Christian women is of the same hopes, sorrows and joys. It rested." Episcopal not basically about the ordination of seemed that the al)-encompassing church Helen Keller Oneka, a deacon from the women to the priesthood or the epis- was a reality. Uganda, thought it wonderful that in of copate, or storming the places of The women from the developing coun- England she could go from place to power and decision-making. At the tries proved to be teachers and spiritual place without being stopped by people

Archives heart of the matter is a challenge to guides to Western women. Rosemarie with guns. "I can return to my country our vision of God. The central ques- Maliaman, a church worker and commu- and tell them people can live in such a

2020. tion to the church is — whatever nity organizer from the Northern Philip- way," she said. you mean to do, are you in fact pre- pines, often made her daily rounds at Sue Britton from South Africa, who senting to the world a vision of God home by swinging across jungle rivers has been arrested for counseling young

Copyright which is too small? on ropes. It was her first trip to the West White male draft resisters, talked about — Sarah Coakley and the affluence amazed her. surviving in solitary confinement. "The English theqlogian The stories of these women clearly il- walls were gray and depressing, so I My mother's life was devoted to the lustrated the anguish and uncertainty of took my brightest clothes and hung them creation of the greater church, with a vi- living in countries torn by war, places round my cell. And I sang lots of sion of God that encompassed every- where to be labeled a communist or an hymns." thing and everyone. Sitting around the anti-communist can be a death sentence, The extent of the anguish these kitchen table at the Oast or at commu- and teaching people to read is a political women face every day was apparent one nity worship with women from all over act. About her work, Maliaman said, "I morning in worship when they made in- the world, I found that we shared many never know each day if I will be ar- tercessions for their homelands.

16 THE WITNESS "Your people are driven into the bush, streets singing, "their voices rose up and to each other. Women forced out will they are naked, they have nothing to echoed off the tall buildings into the sky; have no home and no income. The bish- cover them — watch over them, Lord," it was the most beautiful sound you ops decided that a polygamist who con- prayed Helen Oneka. could imagine," she said. verts "will not be compelled to put away Sue Britton included her prayers for At the Conference itself, a group of any of his wives, on account of the so- "the children in detention, in pain and Australian, British, New Zealand and cial deprivation they would suffer." afraid, separated from their mothers and U.S. women gathered one afternoon near The sun has already risen for fathers." Beatrice Graham from Haiti the plenary hall holding placards de- women — let it shine in the church. prayed for an end to the drugs and vio- nouncing oppression of women and be- — Vanessa MacKenzie lence destroying her country. gan to sing. Passersby stopped, caught South African youth worker But perhaps the greatest gift the by the sweetness of the sound. A bishop The sun that should have shone for women from the strife-torn countries from an Eastern church, bearded and women was often eclipsed at Lambeth. brought was joy and an unshakable faith. wearing flowing velvet robes, came up To show their support for women in publication. Worship for them was unthinkable with- and stood enraptured, as hordes of bored England, U.S. clergy women and many

and out singing, dancing and laughter. journalists, longing for photo opportuni- bishops had agreed not to celebrate the The healing aspect of the Community ties, swarmed around. Eucharist while at Lambeth. But it was reuse was most important to women deeply Logistically speaking, being a witness also a way to quell controversy and not for scarred by what they had been through to the Lambeth Conference was chal- antagonize the anti-women factions be- in their home churches. Australian and lenging. The Conference took place at fore the vote on the women bishops reso- British women in particular had suffered the University of Kent at Canterbury, on lution. The U.S. women, the first stage required many defeats in their efforts to win equal a hill about two miles from town. Get- of struggle behind them, wanted nothing rights. ting there required long waits for a bus, to hurt the chances of the first woman It was not always sweetness and light. or taking a healthy walk, or spending bishop. The struggles of the British and Permission There were disputes, anger and conflicts cabfare. The bishops were in dormitories Australian women were much more fun- among the women. But it was important and could not be reached by phone; damental — after years of frustration

DFMS. not to deny that these were valid feel- tracking down a bishop took tenacity and and oppression, many of them are at the / ings, too. The Rev. Suzanne Fageol, a patience. point of deciding whether they will stay U.S. priest studying in Aberdeen, Scot- People who were neither accredited in the church or leave it Church land, who comes regularly to London to press nor official conference participants An English deacon, the Rev. Bernice minister to women, acknowledged the were not allowed into the plenary hall. Broggio said, 'There's a real drain on amount of pain and frustration when she Therefore, the women were, for the most church membership in England. Think- Episcopal said, "Don't deny the fact that you are part, required to go halfway across cam- ing people are seeing the church as ir- the wounded, that you have been hurt." of pus to an auditorium and follow the pro- relevant to the majority." Being wounded and keeping silent is ceedings on closed-circuit TV. It was The Rev. Betty Bone Schiess said, an experience familiar to many women. like watching "Phil Donahue" without "Diminishment of women is the issue of

Archives Dr. Patricia Brennan, head of Australian being allowed to call in comments. our time. The next wave is the full en- MOW, was a medical missionary in Af- Groans, boos, hisses, cheers, laughter franchisement of women." She spoke 2020. rica, and remembered the pain and hu- and applause were frequent. these words in the nave of the Canter- miliation of returning to Australia and Sharing knowledge with women from bury Center, a former church and Lam- going to churches only to stand silently other cultures was instructive. While beth headquarters for MOW, while Copyright as the men preached about the mission- watching the discussions on polygamy, struggling to hold back tears of frustra- ary experience from the pulpits. Eugeniah Adoyo, a Kenyan living in tion and anger. On July 29, the Feast of However, the Women's Presence was England, explained that traditional Martha and Mary, 14 years after she and anything but silent. Even the protests Christian/Western teaching says a man 10 other women had defied the Episco- were rich with song. Sally Bucklee, one should have only one wife. But forcing a pal Church and were ordained priests, of the coordinators of EWC activities at man to get rid of his other wives causes she was unable to share the bread and Lambeth, went on the MOW march in great hardship. Polygamy continues to wine in a planned celebration of her or- London the same day the bishops gath- exist, said Adoyo, and women accept it dination. She said, "I received two godly ered to worship at St. Paul's Cathedral. because the wives can share the consid- admonitions not to celebrate the Eucha- As the marchers wound through the erable amount of work and give support rist from my bishop and the Presiding

October 1988 17 Bishop." Ignoring the warnings could church. Women have to be able to do have put her priestly status at risk, she more than just live with the bishops, be said. disgraced by them. Men have to say to It seemed curious that one woman's each other, 'Woe unto you,' be less of a actions could be perceived as threaten- club, rebuke each other." ing; after all, the bishops were making A British MOW member, the Rev. Pa- decisions while blithely ignoring half the tricia Pinkerton, rose and said, "I was human race. A line from a skit presented ordained in the States, came back, got a by the Australian women later that eve- job in a parish, and then was refused a ning echoed the absurdity: "How can license — the bishop said the lay people you play when the rules keep changing?" wouldn't understand. I must work as a Mary Rose Wilson from Auckland, lay person, but my parish knows I'm a New Zealand, who was attending the priest." She added, "I will not celebrate publication. Bishops' Wives Conference, eloquently the Eucharist until women are ordained." expressed the feelings of many when she and moted over him. It was odd to attend so many services said during a subsequent panel discus- "When he retired," she said, "the and never receive Communion. Many reuse sion at the Center, "I'm quite an ordi- other, younger Black men would come went to area churches, but I opted not to, for nary woman asked to do things beyond and say, "Thank you; your being there and soon realized how central the Eu- me, so please be kind. I represent rea- made it easier for us.' We pave the way charist is to the Anglican experience and sonable, intelligent women who find the for the others, we must remain faithful. I how denying women access except as required church difficult. I want to do tonight might not live to see it, but if I keep my passive participants is clearly a power what the men didn't — honor the eyes on the prize, others will get it." issue. I attended Evensong at Canterbury women that brought us to this place. The accumulated, unexpressed, un- Cathedral and after the immediacy and Permission "I think of brave women like my relieved anger and anguish of genuine emotion of worship at the Oast, great-great grandmother, who left these women, is an invisible but danger- The Cathedral service with all its ornate,

DFMS. shores for a new land. I have her exer- remote grandeur seemed to me a beauti-

/ ous cancer that eats up human com- cise books, filled with poems and songs munity and prevents us from reach- ful, lifeless museum piece. of a place that she'd never see again. I ing the goal of full humanity, male But even during my short time in the Church honor the pioneers, the women who ran and female . . . It has eaten up the Community, I found that issues of power so I could walk. I honor women on wel- theology that links all human beings and male authority and what was going fare, women who are victims of incest. to God, engulfed and rendered im- on up on the hill amongst the princes of Episcopal "There is a deep and unacknowledged potent all our talk of "Christ came the church to be of less and less impor- the issue of power among the men. It is and died for all." It has fractured tance. of more difficult for those men who haven't the face of the church. The "marginal" group I was involved come to terms with their dark side. But —Mercy Oduyoye in was a place where feelings, good or

Archives they know their time is coming to an Deputy General Secretary bad, were not denied, where the daily end. If the church is to be whole, this World Council of Churches business of life was lifted up, where a 2020. can't go on. It's important to have equal shared joke or a backrub offered was a partnership." After the panelists spoke, many in the sacrament, and where the power to trans- Another panelist, the Rev. Nan Peete, audience expressed their anger and an- form and redeem the church will Copyright who bore a heavy responsibility as the guish. "Women are made to bear the emerge. Someone offered a tribute to my first woman priest ever asked to be Con- shame," said Patricia Brennan, head of mother at a memorial service at the Con- sultant General at Lambeth, told how the Australian MOW. "The men are still act- ference, saying she was "a weaver," a struggle for women's rights' in the ing like a club; they're embarrassed by person who could always find a way to church touched her. She talked about her emotion, the idea of repentance. The bring people together. At the Women's late father, the first Black engineering boys meet to discuss the girls. They're Presence at Lambeth, other hands picked graduate at the University of Michigan, not girls — they're theologians. I'm up where she had left off and wove all who had to struggle to get a job and ashamed of the Church of England. the distinct and disparate threads of the when he was finally hired, watched for "There's a tremendous loss of credibil- women together in a great shining cloth years as Whites were continually pro- ity. Thousands of women are leaving the that will wrap itself around the world. [£3

18 THE WITNESS Thatcher piously oppresses the poor by Kevin Bean

JVLLargaret Thatcher, like Ronald Today, people pursue wealth in such a justice . . . The harsh underbelly of Reagan, believes that charity begins at way that they "use up their entire lives British capitalism treats the poor home. As her Tory administration con- making money so that they can enjoy the with a mixture of contempt and pa- tinues to dismantle England's social wel- lives they have entirely used up," in tronizing charity." fare programs, she has urged individual the words of novelist and theologian Jones went on to point out that citizens to increase their charitable giv- Frederick Buechner. Often the means to Thatcher's message of individual re- ing, exercise greater local leadership and such wealth may not take the form of sponsibility seems to have two distinct look after their neighbors and their honest and diligent toil; dishonest means forms. One is the carrot of incentives for publication. neighbor's property. At the same time, may be seen as equally acceptable. And those who seem able to create wealth, on and the Thatcher government has signifi- even if one's method of gaining wealth the assumption they need encourage- cantly cut revenue sharing for communi- remains within the law, the question is ment. The other is the stick of denying reuse ties, funds for public health, housing and whether the whole endeavor, albeit le- subsidies to the poor, on the assumption for schools, and support payments to indi- gal, is good or evil. As Bertolt Brecht that desperation will make them more viduals. said, "Why rob a bank when you can responsible. In debates over social pol- required As massive privatization continues, own one?" icy, the issue is not over a bigger or the transformation of Britain to a "post- Ironically, the injustices in our West- smaller government; rather, it is over socialist" state has resulted in the trans- ern industrial societies have, in part, better or worse government in terms of how it achieves basic opportunities for Permission fer of wealth from the state to private been perpetuated by the very institutions hands. All these factors make up the which later set up charities to aid the all its citizens. creedal backbone of conservative poli- victims of these injustices. Margaret But how can we assess this philosophy DFMS. / tics, and are based on notions which Thatcher, by stressing social responsibil- of individual charity and the consequent strike some deep nostalgic chords: indi- ity on the part of those benefiting from policy decisions when they have caused

Church vidual responsibility unhampered by increased prosperity, is in essence admit- a serious polarization of the haves and government control, and the right use of ting that gestures towards charitable giv- the have-nots, and when redundant money to create and share wealth. ing and good deeds in the workplace and workers and the unskilled poor have not

Episcopal This creed has recently been given a community have only been token ones. benefited from any trickle-down gospel

the theological underpinning — Scripture When John Wesley preached "gain all of wealth? of and figures such as John Wesley have you can; save all you can; give all you Peter Maurin, a Roman Catholic social been quoted quite freely. However, in can," giving had the same weight as the critic, assessed public policy in a philo- Scripture, possession of wealth in itself first two. Modern conservatives seem to sophical framework based on Aquinas' Archives is seen as neither bad nor good — Jesus tack on giving only as an afterthought. doctrine of the Common Good: judged riches by whether or not they Economist John Maynard Keynes "The world would be better off if 2020. served God's purposes of promoting jus- wrote, "Capitalism is the extraordinary people tried to become better. And tice and the welfare of community. belief that the nastiest of men, for the people would become better if they

Copyright When assessing the conservative phi- nastiest of reasons, will somehow work stopped trying to become better off. losophy of wealth, two basic criteria for the benefit of all." The reality of pri- For when everyone tries to be better come to mind. First, how does it affect vate wealth and public squalor led the off, nobody is better off. But when the hearts and lives of those who prac- Rev. Richard Jones, 1988 President of everyone tries to become better, tice it, and, second, how does it affect the Methodist Conference, to state: everybody is better off . . . Every- those on the receiving end? "Anyone who has absorbed the Old body would be what he ought to be and New Testaments will see that if everybody tried to be what he The Rev. Kevin Bean, a founder of the Justice for what it's worth: a scandalous at- wants the other fellow to be." and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Con- tempt to put a veneer of social re- If only leaders of all political parties necticut, is an assistant priest at Old St. Paul's Church, Edinburgh, Scotland. spectability over hurtful social in- would heed this. wi

October 1988 19 Same-sex marriage is nothing new

henever the question of whether in a special way," he pointed out the Episcopal Church should bless com- Considering the Christian Church's mitted same-sex relationships comes up, traditional intolerance of homosexuality, reactions against the idea are swift and how could same-sex marriage ceremo- vehement Those opposed say same-sex nies exist? Boswell said the basic prob- relationships can never be sanctioned by lem was defining marriage: "People in the church. But historian John Boswell, the past called a great many things mar- in an address entitled, "A Thousand riage that we probably wouldn't," such

publication. Years of the Church Blessing Lesbian as arranged marriages, political alli- and Gay Relationships — It's Nothing ances, spiritual marriages. and New," offered evidence that the Chris- Even now, Boswell said, the theologi-

reuse tian Church did indeed once bless those cal or legal definition of marriage is ar- for relationships. He spoke at a General bitrary. "We tend to regard an eight- Convention luncheon hosted by Integ- week Hollywood marriage, which pro- rity, a group for gay and lesbian Episco- duced nothing more than a property dis- required palians. pute and a parrot, the same legally as a Professor of history at Yale University 50-year union that produced 12 kids and John Boswell and author of the book Christianity, So- greatly enriched the community. But are

Permission cial Tolerance and Homosexuality, honoring a spiritual friendship, until he they really the same morally?" Boswell, a Roman Catholic, is a leading found copies in the Vatican. Its liturgical And, said Boswell, citing the example

DFMS. authority on historical attitudes of the nature clearly marked it as a marriage of Solomon and his 700 wives and 300 / Christian Church towards homosexual- ceremony. concubines, to look for biblical sexuality ity. References to two males getting mar- to define the contemporary ideal of mar- Church Boswell's talk was based on research ried appear in manuscripts as early as the riage is especially difficult. for a book, due to be published by Pan- fourth century, and, in certain areas of The homosexual marriage ceremony theon Press in February 1989, covering the world, "which I will not disclose," of old was performed in a church, was Episcopal what he called "the very complicated said Boswell, the ceremony is still being always sacramental, and never done the subject of marriage ceremonies," both performed. In parts of Europe, anthro- without consent. Roman Catholic theolo- of heterosexual and homosexual. He read pologists witnessed marriage ceremonies gians of the 12th and 13th centuries em- from a 12th century prayer that he was between two men, performed by Roman phasized that what made a marriage was

Archives alerted to by a Middle Eastern Catholic Catholic priests, as late as the 1940s and two people consenting to live together, priest "who told me that if I would look '50s. He has also come across rites said Boswell, and it was accepted that

2020. in a certain ancient liturgical manual, I blessing the union of two women, in par- marriage could be based on love, not would see something of interest to me," ticular one where the woman who took procreation, as in the case of second said Boswell. on the duties of the head of household marriages. Copyright When Boswell tracked down a copy of had to take a solemn vow not to sleep "People will want to argue that a gay the prayer, he said, "I was absolutely with men. relationship, even if it looks like a mar- electrified by what I saw because it In his book, Boswell discusses a whole riage, is 'just a friendship' — as if looked like basically a same-sex mar- range of ceremonies, not just the ones friendship were somehow not present in riage ceremony." Further research took that seem to be of marriage. "One of the marriage, and less than marriage. I'll bet Boswell from one end of Europe to the most important things about the tradition many married couples would be willing other and he eventually turned up 100 is that it honors a variety of unions, and to testify that for the majority of a 40- manuscript versions of this ceremony. one of them is a friendly union, which year marriage, friendship is probably a He thought at first that maybe what he people at the time considered holy better description of what's going on had stumbled across was a ceremony enough and Christian enough to sanctify than the height of passion that went on

20 THE WITNESS for the first five years," said Boswell. Letters ... Continued from page 3 Rates among top three Permanent monogamous marriage for make no attempt to hide my sexual ori- THE WITNESS continues to be one of gays was a Christian ideal in ancient entation from my friends and col- my "top three" along with Newark times, had been in the tradition even leagues. More importantly, I make no Diocese's Voice and Christianity and longer than the heterosexual ceremony attempt to hide it from their children. Crisis. Wish I could read more. and should certainly be honored and rec- How many students does your child's Constance Lane ognized, stated Boswell. But he added, homosexual teacher encounter each Flanders, N J. "I wouldn't argue that this ancient form year? Now divide that number by 10 is necessarily the best form for now, any and you have the probable number of Faith, politics buddies more than I would necessarily want lesbian and gay students the teacher en- During the Vietnam era I was an active heterosexual marriage formalities of the counters. May I suggest that instead of participant in the anti-war movement 12th century to be applied now. worrying about the teacher that you go and subsequently became involved with thank her or him. Being openly gay or "I think it's a good idea for people other movements as well. Ultimately I lesbian is not entirely safe for teachers. became and remain to this day an

publication. straight and gay to be aware of these But it is a great gift to their students. avowed Socialist. A sensitivity to social things. In your communion, as in mine, That teacher may at this very moment and injustice and concern for the oppressed one of the things we value is the weight be saving your child's life, and if not gained for me an appreciation of Chris- of tradition. We don't want to be your child's, then most assuredly some- reuse tianity that I could not possibly have one else's. for crushed by it, but we enjoy the strength gained otherwise. of having a great tradition behind us." Name withheld by request Karl Marx in his day denounced reli- Boswell said that a thorough examina- gion as the opiate of the people, but if required tion of the subject of marriage would New library sub he were living today and were aware of have to include a serious study of the I want to introduce you to our library the Christianity as espoused by THE gay marriage ceremony. "The gay cere- here at Rolling Green Village, a retire- WITNESS and other progressive groups, I am inclined to believe that a Permission mony is actually much closer to the ment community which is now our modern sensibility about what marriage home. My wife and I are 80 and 84 retraction of some kind would be in or- der. is because it seems to honor that differ- years old, respectively. I have donated a DFMS.

/ As a practicing Episcopalian I may at ent people might want to enter into dif- subscription to The Progressive maga- some time be baited with the question: ferent kinds of relationships." zine and want to donate a two-year sub to THE WITNESS. Thank you for your "How do you reconcile your religion Church In conclusion, he said, "The gay mar- stimulating journalism. with your politics?" I expect no diffi- riage ceremony not only enhances our John E. Lenox, M.D. culty in providing an answer. My re- understanding of the enormous contribu- Greenville, S.C. sponse will be: "I don't. There is noth- Episcopal tion gay people have made to the Chris- ing to reconcile; my faith and my politi- the tian tradition but would greatly enrich cal persuasion walk hand-in-hand as of our understanding of marriage in gen- Contempt for faithful? bosom buddies." Please cancel my subscription to THE eral." Cliff Nyberg WITNESS. You appear to feel little — Susan E. Pierce Seattle, Wash. Archives other than contempt for those who wish to remain faithful to traditional Chris-

2020. tian teaching and practice. Blossomings Shelley Olson We need your help The long hot summer which afflicted New York, N.Y. In a garden-moment I see, many parts of the country this year

Copyright low on the earth, also took a toll on our fundraising an orchid-like Back to basics campaign, and we are still short of our blossom - Because of moving around, I've been goal. one of many I find - living without THE WITNESS for sev- If you were trying to escape the heat forgotten eral years. I can't stand it any longer. and missed our mailing, please don't bulbs that leave us high and dry. We are nearing I had planted: Please enter my subscription. the end of our fiscal year and need how like the caring deeds of life, I'm a 74-year-old deacon, serving in your support Send your tax-deduct- later a small mission housed in an abandoned ible contribution to THE WITNESS, flowering. elementary school. Back to basics! Box 359, Ambler, PA 19002. Many Jean C. Higgins Betty Noice thanks! Grand Junction, Col.

October 1988 21 The winds of change

"Behold, I am doing a new thing. Now it Father Bird went on to ask — is it acci- springs forth; do you not perceive it?" The first sermon preached by the Rev. dental that the messengers of hope, jus- (Isaiah 43:19) Barbara C. Harris after her election as tice and liberation for all God's children Suffragan Bishop of Massachusetts is are coming from Third World and Latin excerpted on this page. 1 here would seem to be some fresh American cultures; that the new genera- winds blowing across this church of tion of messengers God is raising up in ours. We have seen in this year alone for intentional efforts toward Christian- our church in this country are women; some things thought to be impossible Jewish-Muslim dialogue. that the shattering of that old, outdated just a short time ago. These events have not been without paradigm of a male priesthood took Two Black priests have been elected parallels in the political arena and in place in this particular place, standing as publication. Bishops Coadjutor without having first other areas of society -— perhaps the it does in the heart of the wasteland we served as Suffragan Bishops. Early this most notable of which was the Rev. call the city? and year the Rev. Orris Walker was elected Jesse Jackson's impressive campaign for Let me offer a note of caution. Some and consecrated Coadjutor in the Dio- the Democratic presidential nomination. would look on the events I have cited reuse cese of Long Island. Shortly afterward Some fresh wind is indeed, blowing and say we are moving into the "main- for the Rev. Canon Herbert Thompson was and that wind, I am convinced, is the stream." Paul Washington and I talked elected Coadjutor in the Diocese of spirit of the living God. The Spirit that last night about what some folks mean

required Southern Ohio on the first ballot — an lifts up our diversity and our differences, when they talk of the "mainstream." unprecedented event. Two weeks later, that invites us to celebrate the gifts we Some of our political figures, for ex- the Rev. Franklin Turner became the bring out of them, and bids us bind them ample, are talking about moving into the first Black bishop in the 204-year history into unity for the Shalom, the peace of status quo; becoming part of the great

Permission of the Diocese of Pennsylvania. God's holy reign. mass that talk about human rights in As Herb Thompson's consecration was In times like these we are often terms of their personal taxes or guaran- concluding, yet another historic moment teed income, and support the structures

DFMS. tempted to lament and to bemoan the / was breaking in upon the Diocese of state of God's creation. Much of what of government that undermine and sub- Massachusetts — the election of a we see around us gives us scant cause vert human rights for those in other woman to the episcopate. places. Church for rejoicing. We are confronted daily And while that election was held for with the decline and decay of our cities, I'm talking about moving into the the office of Bishop Suffragan in that a generation seemingly lost to the drug mainstream of those seeking God's jus- particular diocese, it is important to re- culture, hunger in a world of plenty, op- tice, God's peace, and God's sisterhood Episcopal member that a bishop is elected a bishop pression, exploitation, chaos and conflict and brotherhood. the for the whole church. Thus what took around the globe. We sing of a "vain Indeed, some fresh winds are moving of place in Massachusetts yesterday is of world that is no friend to grace to help us across our church today For some they significance not only there, but in the on to God." are refreshing; to others they are as fear- Episcopal Church in the United States Archives Yet, it is in times like these that we some as a hurricane. and the worldwide Anglican Commun- must look with the eyes of faith to the Some would react as did the disciples ion ... 2020. hills from whence cometh our help. in today's Gospel. "John said to Jesus, And as we think of the worldwide An- The prophet Isaiah's faith gave him 'Teacher, we saw a man casting out de- glican Communion, of which we are a vision to see what only faith can see. As mons in your name and we forbade him part, two things, among several of sig- God made a way in the sea, a path because he was not following us." Copyright nificance, took place at the recent Lam- through the waters, so now God makes a In other words, he was not one of us or beth Conference in England. way through this modern wilderness. like us. For the first time, a woman priest — This week, I will mark the ninth anni- "But Jesus said, 'Do not forbid him... the Rev. Nan Arrington Peete of Indian- versary of my ordination. I remember For he that is not against us is for us.'" apolis, a close friend of mine and of this well Father Van Bird's sermon and Let us look with the eyes of the parish, addressed that body, and her charge to me from this pulpit. prophet, the eyes of faith, upon God's forthright presentation of her priestly life He reminded us that Jesus once said, creation, that we too may speak God's experience was affirmed by many. if the sons of Abraham refused to be his message in this mess age: "Behold, I am The Conference also broadened its messengers, God would make the very doing a new thing. Now it springs forth, ecumenical and inter-faith vision calling stones cry out and speak for him. And do you not perceive it?" E£3

22 THE WITNESS publication. and reuse for required Permission Jubilation at the Advocate Photos clockwise from top, left: Bishop- DFMS.

/ elect Barbara C. Harris rejoices with her family at Sunday services; the new bishop preaching on the winds of

Church change; Paul Washington hugs a grand- child and passes the peace to David Grade and Jerry Bartlett, who brought greetings from Bishop Allen Bartlett of

Episcopal Pennsylvania; the Sunday School class presents gifts; Mrs. Eleanor Yeatman the

of gives the bishop a buss; Mrs. Katie Henry chats in the parish kitchen. Archives 2020. Copyright

October 1988 23 this Christmas send three gifts for theprice of one!

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