I share a measure of the generally positive response to @JustinWelby’s speech on human sexuality at the #LambethConference. It is enormously helpful to have him acknowledge that churches moving towards marriage equality do not regard scripture lightly. 1/
It is also an enormous relief to have him announce he does not seek to punish member churches in the #Anglican Communion, because his predecessor was inventive and persistent in trying to do so. #LambethConference 2/
And I am grateful that in restating the uncontested fact that Lambeth 1.10 exists, he simultaneously took the legs out from under those at this #LambethConference who want to break the communion over this issue. 3/
But I do want to note that I think a sleight of hand is involved here. It is true that churches may experience pain in working through issues of human sexuality. But it is also true that churches *cause pain in working through these issues. #LambethConference 4/
Specifically, they cause pain for LGBT people and those who love them. In Anglican provinces that support the marginalization of LGBT people and the criminalization of their relationships, this is a feature not a bug. #LambethConference 5/
In presenting a church that can suffer harm, but commits no harm itself, Welby allows the #LambethConference to avoid acknowledging that our churches are complicit or culpable in oppression. He also places the experience of bishops, not LGBT people, at center stage. 6/
What results is not a conversation with and about queer people, but a conversation about how churches deal with queer people. That might keep peace at the #LambethConference, and I guess that is worth doing, but we need to be clear eyed about what is happening here. 7/7
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