From the NH Times-Union

Avoiding a schism: One Episcopal bishop's hope

WHO IS pushing whom?

That is the question the worldwide Anglican Communion finds itself asking regarding homosexuality and the church.

As New York Times religion correspondent Laurie Goodstein framed the issue on National Public Radio on Tuesday, it is the "conservatives" pushing everyone else to adopt their own "orthodoxy" that is threatening to split the communion. God forbid the church be orthodox.

Presiding Episcopal Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori made a similar assertion on Wednesday.

"We are being pushed toward a decision by impatient forces within and outside this church who hunger for clarity. That hunger for clarity at all costs is an anxious response to discomfort in the face of change."

Interesting that it's never the ones seeking to suddenly change centuries-old traditions who are doing the pushing.

Jefferts Schori, however, at least understands that both sides are pushing, and those pushing on her side need to back off before they rip the church apart.

On Wednesday she argued against New Hampshire Bishop Gene Robinson's call to essentially ignore the rest of the church and move on. She argued instead for understanding and healing.

"To live together in Christian community means each member takes seriously the concerns and needs of other members."

Episcopalians who favor ordaining homosexuals and blessing same-sex marriage should "include the dissenter" in discussions of the church's future and not be so eager to tear the church apart.

Sound advice. Those "impatient forces" on this side of the Atlantic would do well to heed it.