The Nigerians have clearly rejected Windsor (which was really about inadequate consultation & trying to hold disparate viewpoints together, while allowing for the possibility the that future might entail the full inclusion of gays & lesbians in the life of the Church, the trouble being that TEC & New Westminster had moved too quickly & violated the bonds of affection) -- but in truth the Nigerians & their allies have never really accepted Windsor.

There is no way that TEC could placate Nigeria without becoming a totally different entity & that is simply not possible (even if it were thought desirable).

The same is actually true of the C of E -- "Some Issues in Sexuality" might forbid certain activity for the gay clergy, but their simply being gay seems to be in itself the problem for the Global South, whereas condoning gay partnerships for the faithful laity is simply "against the Bible" -- so there we are.

I suppose the question isn't now so much whether there will be a schism, but just how many pieces we are going to end up with. There is also the matter of timing -- it is all drawing out with guerilla warfare without a decision much longer than I anticipated (which may not be doing anyone any good).

Prior

Yes, it is taking a long time. But the dialogue has been useful. As we articulate the issues of where people are coming from and why they are making the choices, we are refining our theologies. The lessons we are learning are being considered outside of our own communion.

The dynamics are being contemplated not just in terms of how our communion operates, but how and why it was formed. It is rippling into a contemplation of the dynamics between church and state, public and private faith, inter-faith dialogue, conflict resolution, peace making, slavery, what is God and that God is more than male or female.

There are fruits and seeds of this dialogue going into other pastures. In some areas things have gotten worse as water has gotten to seeds and a lot of weeds have sprouted up. But these are places that were pretty barren before, so eventually a more desirable ecosystem will evolve. There are souls being serviced that were not being serviced a few years ago. There are religious communities (not just Christian) who have gotten the message that they need to not be selfish and are now providing care for the poor and outcastes, and not just within their own "safe" communities.

Yes, it is uncomfortable and I long for it to be over. But I do not begrudge the suffering as there has been a proprortional positive shift in the wisdom and compassion of humanity's collective consciousness at a level that has not been there for many decades. Some things will end, but as they end it will be with the consent of the parties that a better way has been found. God does not rape, they will choose to let go of slavery and repression, with the selfish and stubborn being recognised for what they are and thus their influence diminishing as more effective paradigms take root.