October 13, 2009

Gay priest debate fuelled by homophobia


by David Masters

The debate over whether to ordain gay and lesbian priests in the Church of England is at risk of being hijacked by homophobia, a former Anglican bishop has claimed.

Dr Peter Selby, former bishop of Worcester, accused the Archbishop of Canterbury of siding with the status quo by failing to take a stronger stand against the homophobic sentiments expressed by traditionalist wings of the Church.

“If homophobia is contrary to the intentions of those advocating the traditionalist cause it has been allowed to provide a good deal of the fuel for the debate, and the Archbishop’s personal opposition to homophobia does not exempt him from complicity in the way that energy is being used,” said Dr Selby, speaking at the Inclusive Church conference.

“The Archbishop has removed himself from his natural area of thought in the matter of sexuality, that is, his remarkable capacity to bring a godly wisdom to bear on secular developments, a gift we need more than any other in attempting to work out how to assess current developments in human attitudes and behaviour in matters sexual.”

Gay and lesbian people in the Church are finding life more difficult under Rowan Williams than previously, despite Dr Williams alleged pro-LGBT views, Dr Selby said.

“I know many who say that their situation in the Church is far worse than it was during his predecessor’s time, something paradoxical to say the least, but for which he surely needs to own some responsibility,” he said.

Accordingto Dr Selby, the Church of England’s approach to debating homosexuality has been rooted in fear rather than love.

“We live in times of increasing fear, and out of that come desperate measures, for example, to control immigration – which means of course controlling immigrants, at whatever cost to their physical and mental health,” he said.

“Our response to a pervasive fear is to avoid contact, and to stay clear of each other; for ‘the other’ becomes dangerous, hygiene becomes a matter not of the health of the body but of self-preservation.”

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