The festival in Harare marking the end of the Ecumenical Decade of Churches
in Solidarity with Women was quite a celebration, but it also showed how
difficult it is to reach consensus on human sexuality.
Delegates still found some common ground, however: "We seek the
wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we may continue the conversation
in order that justice may prevail."
The search for that common ground was prompted by a paragraph on human
sexuality in the draft of the festival's letter to the WCC Assembly.
It made no mention of the words "homosexual", "gay" or "lesbian", but these
clearly were at issue. Debate centered on wording about "human sexuality
in all of its diversity".
The Rev. Bertrice Wood, a United Church of Christ pastor from the US,
moderated the debate and proposed an approach that proved key to ultimate
agreement.
The letter to the Assembly "will draw on all of the diversity in this
room", she said. "Don't ask, 'Is this how I would have written it?'
but rather, 'Have I been heard? Have others been heard?' If
each of us is heard, we may also have to hear some things we don't want
to hear."
There were sharp differences to hear. One delegate, from Africa,
asked that the phrase "in all of its diversity" be struck out. Another
delegate spoke for its inclusion.
An Orthodox woman from the United States asked that the document say,
"For some men and women in our midst, addressing this issue is not legitimate."
She explained, "Our church has taken a very serious stance on the topic
and we aren't in a position to change it here."
A member of Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) said, "I haven't been
in church for 10 years," she said. "I have been discriminated against
since people found out I was lesbian. I am also created in the image
of God."
A delegate from the Netherlands who identified herself as a lesbian
said, "My church has been discussing sexuality for 20 years and I can be
open about my sexuality in my church."
Dr Aruna Gnanadason, of the WCC Women's Desk, offered a personal apology
for excluding "our lesbian sisters" in festival presentations.
In its final form, the section acknowledged both the differences on
sexuality and the difficulties of tackling them in the church -- and it
showed how to reach a consensus when content divides those voting.
"We recognise that there are a number of ethical and theological issues
such as abortion, divorce, human sexuality in all of its diversity, that
have implications for participation, and are difficult to address in the
church community.
"During the decade we acknowledge that human sexuality in all of its
diversity has emerged with particular significance. We condemn the
violence perpetrated due to differences on this matter.
"We wrestled with this issue, aware of the anguish we all endure because
of the potential to create further divisions. We acknowledge that
there is divided opinion ... In fact, for some women and men in our
midst, the issue has no legitimacy.
"We seek the wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we may
continue the conversation in order that justice may prevail."
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