Fr. Rob Goes to Anaheim

Dear Dunstanland: this morning, the House of Deputies approved by over 2/3 margins in both orders Resolution C056, which asks the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to collect and develop theological and liturgical resources for the blessing of same-sex unions. By God's grace, I was "lucky" enough to get to the right microphone in time to speak against the resolution before the 35 minutes allotted for debate ran out. The debate was broadcast over the web live, including my speech, which was immediately transcribed and placed on at least one live blog. Let me share with you my memory of what I said while it is still fresh, in order to have it in the record correctly.

"Good morning, Madame President, Price from Texas [actually I forgot to say my name, and the president was forced to interrupt me half-way through]. I rise to speak against this motion. This resolution takes us in a direction that is directly contrary to a unified witness to God's ordering of human love and relationships that runs like a golden thread through the entire Scriptures: from Gen. 1 and 2, through John 2, through the prophets, through Ephesians 5, through the Book of Revelation. Now I am catholic, and I believe in the development of doctrine; I have enough humility to admit that I might be wrong, but the theological case for this resolution has not been made. We have not done the work required to contradict the Scriptural witness required for passage of this resolution, and it should be defeated. In the meantime, we CAN care for the pastoral needs of our gay brothers and sisters: it's called the internet! So experiment, make stuff up, share it with each other -- we all know you're doing it anyway! -- but please to do not use the theological apparatus of the church to do something that will burn our house down. We don't need it; I urge defeat of the motion. Thank you. [my one minute was up and the mic went dead during the last sentence and a half]."

So, friends, I was able to say my peace, and I will return to my house justified, as they say in Westerns. Let me repeat what I have said from the time I was interviewing for the call to be Rector of St. Dunstan's until this very hour: I celebrate the continuity of Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This continuity is expressed in the Scriptures and the whole counsel of God, as interpreted by the Tradition. One part of that continuous witness, however, is that God is on the side of sinners. All persons, no matter their background, baggage, history of sin, or situation, will receive pastoral care in the love of Jesus Christ at St. Dunstan's Church. However, that pastoral care will not include a same-sex blessing while I am Rector. At the same time, I will lay my body down before a gay person is run out of this church: you will have to come through me to get to them.

And on the Communion: I do not know what it means to be a priest unless I am in communion with my bishop, as long as my bishop is in communion with the Communion.

None of this has changed! All of these things remain the same today, and will be the same tomorrow. That's the continuity of the Rector, which I think is perhaps one of the most important aspects of being a presbyter and leader of God's people.