From the BBC:
I sort of wish Mr Morton had stayed in his position in the church, because strong voices from within the church carry great weight. In a sense, when one departs, one leaves the field to the homophobic and judgmental. However, the vicar is obviously a man of conscience and principle, and he did what he thought was best.Some members of the Anglican communion, including elements of the Church in Wales, have become more homophobic, claims a vicar who has resigned over the issue of gay marriage.The Reverend Andrew Morton, vicar of Llangybi, Monmouthshire, is the first in Wales to step down over the issue.
He says he would have been willing to carry out such ceremonies.
The Church in Wales said it a "matter of regret" for clergy to resign over an issue yet to be resolved by the church.
....
Mr Morton, who has been a vicar for 33 years, says many of his colleagues privately agree with his stance, and that homophobia is endemic in some respects."First of all I felt that the church's position on same sex relationships, never mind same sex marriages, was increasingly judgemental and not really inclusive in the way that I felt that it should be," he told BBC Wales.
"I feel a greater degree of homophobia in the church than I've felt for a long time. Maybe it's just my personal perception but it certainly seems to be more prevalent in some quarters of the church.
"I felt that in order to offer an authentic critique of the church as an institution, the most honourable thing was to do it from the outside rather than from the inside which was what prompted the resignation."
He said that he came across people who in the "guise of what they feel to be religious conviction, came up with some extraordinarily homophobic statements".
However, he said it was not true of the majority of the church, which was "very forgiving and very loving".
"We are trying to in a way that takes everyone along with us and that calls for time and patience."The Church in Wales' expression of regret rings hollow as it speaks of its attempts to "move forward gently", even as the church continues to throw its LGTB members under the bus. LGTB Anglicans have been patient for quite a long time. How long will the homophobic elements in the church continue to prevail? How long before same-sex marriage is resolved by the church on the side of justice and equality? Doomsday will come before the church carries everyone along.
The video of the interview is here.
Well, saying he should stay is kinda like ssaying you should have remained Roman Catholic. People have to decide where is their tipping point, and find a place that doesn't do them violence or harm. And sometimes you can speak better from outside than from inside.
ReplyDeleteHang on, IT, I did not say 'should'. I said 'I sort of wish', a whole nother thing. You're absolutely right: The decision was Mr Morton's to make in his own good time.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a guy that is just plain tired of the whole fight. I can appreciate his stance. I too wish he could have stayed the course because we need folk like him in the "Bible Belt of the CofE" But after a while it begins to take a toll on your faith.
ReplyDelete...after a while it begins to take a toll on your faith.
ReplyDeleteYes, and priests have more invested in the institution. If you believe the institution stifles faith, then....
I think that he had become so tired and disillusioned with the institutional homophobia that he felt that he no longer wished to be counted as part of it. And, for him to continue to be associated with a Church, which seemed to him to becoming more homophobic, didn't do anything for his conscience or belief in the church.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what he is doing. Nominally retired, he will have the freedom to fight from the outside if he has the energy to do so - but worn down, he may just lay down the burden and do something else entirely. I wish him well.
UKViewer, your summing up of the situation is probably close to the mark. Andrew has my prayers and good wishes.
ReplyDelete