| Primate Atherly - April - May, 2010 |
Recently, the Caribbean the Anglican Church took a stand on the issue of homosexuality in our pulpits.
This was not so much directed toward the Caribbean Church, but our affiliation with the Episcopal
Church (EC) in the USA. Proud we are to say that homosexuality will not be found in the pulpits in the
Caribbean, no matter what denomination. We have standards, not only spiritual, but cultural where such
behavior questions are not tolerated and defames manhood and is an embarrassment to all who take
that path, even bringing shame on our families.
This is not to say you cannot find a slithering of homosexuality in the Caribbean, but not in the
leadership of the church, there are serious lines drawn. The statement made in St Vincent by
`Archbshop Drexel Gomez and agreed to by all the Caribbean bishops is not window dressing, but as he
declared the Anglican church in the West Indies stands firmly behind the Word of God on this issue.
What the bishops have done is commendable, it brings quality to leadership, but the bishops did not go
far enough.
In their request they asked that the Episcopal Church decline from ordaining more homosexual priests
and bishops, but they also are not delusional to think that the EC will comply. What the bishops needed
to do is to request of their clergy who emigrate to the USA to stay away from the EC, find themselves in
Anglican branches that adhere to traditional faith and the Word of God.
Like all other parts of the world, the Caribbean is changing; driven by influences brought on by
television from abroad. Our kids no longer see church as a place of refuge, but fight with their parents
about attendance. The Church too has become more political, aligning itself with political parties on
social issues. Within this, it seems that getting your name in the papers has become more important.
At the beginning of the year, I wrote to you about prayers for the Caribbean. That is the only recourse
we have. We live in hope that changes will come and there will be a return to civility in all areas of the
lives of the Caribbean people, including a healthy return to church attendance.
The bishops' request of the Episcopal Church is a good beginning and a formidable step in the right
direction, showing leadership and moral behavior for the Caribbean Church. From this vantage point of
white sands and blue waters of the Caribbean sea, where beauty is always around the corner, we hope
to see the nature of true faith and leadership in the lives of our Caribbean Church remain firm and a
true commitment of the Holy Scriptures.
We ask your continued prayers for the Caribbean and its churches.
May the peace of God be with you.
+ Chris, Primate of the Anglican Church Worldwide
This was not so much directed toward the Caribbean Church, but our affiliation with the Episcopal
Church (EC) in the USA. Proud we are to say that homosexuality will not be found in the pulpits in the
Caribbean, no matter what denomination. We have standards, not only spiritual, but cultural where such
behavior questions are not tolerated and defames manhood and is an embarrassment to all who take
that path, even bringing shame on our families.
This is not to say you cannot find a slithering of homosexuality in the Caribbean, but not in the
leadership of the church, there are serious lines drawn. The statement made in St Vincent by
`Archbshop Drexel Gomez and agreed to by all the Caribbean bishops is not window dressing, but as he
declared the Anglican church in the West Indies stands firmly behind the Word of God on this issue.
What the bishops have done is commendable, it brings quality to leadership, but the bishops did not go
far enough.
In their request they asked that the Episcopal Church decline from ordaining more homosexual priests
and bishops, but they also are not delusional to think that the EC will comply. What the bishops needed
to do is to request of their clergy who emigrate to the USA to stay away from the EC, find themselves in
Anglican branches that adhere to traditional faith and the Word of God.
Like all other parts of the world, the Caribbean is changing; driven by influences brought on by
television from abroad. Our kids no longer see church as a place of refuge, but fight with their parents
about attendance. The Church too has become more political, aligning itself with political parties on
social issues. Within this, it seems that getting your name in the papers has become more important.
At the beginning of the year, I wrote to you about prayers for the Caribbean. That is the only recourse
we have. We live in hope that changes will come and there will be a return to civility in all areas of the
lives of the Caribbean people, including a healthy return to church attendance.
The bishops' request of the Episcopal Church is a good beginning and a formidable step in the right
direction, showing leadership and moral behavior for the Caribbean Church. From this vantage point of
white sands and blue waters of the Caribbean sea, where beauty is always around the corner, we hope
to see the nature of true faith and leadership in the lives of our Caribbean Church remain firm and a
true commitment of the Holy Scriptures.
We ask your continued prayers for the Caribbean and its churches.
May the peace of God be with you.
+ Chris, Primate of the Anglican Church Worldwide
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