The first full day of the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church featured plenty of drama, a boisterous sermon, and lots of controversy, and Bishop Greg Brewer was there to witness it all.
Scores of conventioneers began duties in legislative committees and more on Thursday at the Austin (Texas) Convention Center, but the morning was highlighted by a rousing Opening Eucharist and sermon from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
“We began (with) Opening Eucharist (that was) by anyone’s description a glorious celebration,” said Bishop Brewer in a video feed from Austin. “The music was diverse and interesting, very well-executed, including a rousing rendition of “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” part of which I posted on my Facebook page, and a sermon by our Presiding Bishop that called us all, above all, to be faithful to the life and teachings of Jesus. Even before when you want to say something to somebody else, to be quick to forgive, and to be faithful to the life and teaching of Jesus.”
Bishop Brewer, who is one of 11 people representing the Diocese of Central Florida, found Curry’s remarks to be interesting as deputies and bishops face serious challenges with Prayer Book revisions, a task that is sure to draw heated debate among many. One of the topics that has become before church leaders is the debate of the gender of God; is the Lord male or gender-neutral?
Two resolutions on God’s gender are being discussed as part of possibly overhauling the Episcopal Church’s Book of Common Prayer.
“For him to say that (to be faithful to the life and teaching of Jesus) marks for him a very clear theological conviction that puts him in some ways on a collision course with some of the rectors … particularly as it applies to Prayer Book revision because any New Testament scholar will tell you that the heart of Jesus’ message is to introduce to the world his Father, the name that Jesus used for God again and again and again, and for Jesus to be called, Lord, those of which become very dicey when you’re talking about gender-inclusive Prayer Book revisions,” Bishop Brewer said of Curry’s sermon.
“So, we are in the midst of some very, very long discussions in which part of the Episcopal Church is, in fact, going to be able to prevail in the midst of these conversations?” Bishop Brewer said. “So, it applies to easily 10 hours today we have had open hearings about both Prayer Book revisions and as well as questions around about what we will do about gay marriage and especially around those dioceses who have said “no” to doing that.”
Same-sex marriage is another hot topic facing conventioneers. Bishop Brewer said there is a compromising resolution on the floor called B012 that basically says, “in such parish that wants to do gay marriages and the Bishop opposes, those parishes can appeal for a deeper relationship that places themselves under the authority of another bishop that allows those marriages to move forward, and not just gay marriage, but to deciding gay or straight marriages that require our bishop’s consultation.”
Bishop Brewer also said deputies and bishops are hard at work considering revising the Prayer Book in different languages to better reflect a nation’s culture and place in the world. “Has to do with the place and role of non-English language policy because one of the unspoken scandals has been the lack of attention that’s been paid to really well-done translations of our Prayer Book in a variety of languages, including Spanish and Creole, both of which are used in the state of Florida,” he said.
That concern over non-English translation led to a controversial moment in a meeting. “It hit a very uncomfortable note when in conversations about gay marriage, several representatives from Honduras stood up and expressed (themselves); they had a translator who was translating for them, and when he found out they opposed gay marriage, he walked away and refused to do the translating anymore,” Bishop Brewer said.
Bishop Brewer said the incident was brought to the attention of the Hispanic Commission, which likely will file a complaint. “Yes, GC (General Convention) 79 is still dealing with issues, deep issues, of racial inequality,” Brewer said. “The threat and accusation of theological colonialism for those states outside the United States, provinces and countries that don’t support gay marriage, is significant. We need to figure out solutions that really apply to the whole Church, not the majority rule.”
On that note, Bishop Brewer held up what looked to be a plaque given to him by the Cathedral of Honduras. “I’m holding up a gift that’s been given to the Cathedral of St. Luke from the Cathedral in Honduras,” he said. “This delegation’s reputation from Honduras has been absolutely stellar. Lloyd Allen (Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras) certainly gets the award for the most courageous presentation of the day when he stood up in opposition to gay marriage rights and said regardless of what has passed this is where I will stand and if you want to oppose me go ahead, we will continue to do what we believe that God is calling us to do.
“So, they have been heroic in the face of a lot of opposition and they are to be commended, and I want you to know that I proudly, as does our deputation, stand with the deputation of the Diocese of Honduras as it has deepened the deep collaborative friendship that we have shared as companion dioceses for these many years,” Bishop Brewer said.
Bishop Brewer said he expects the General Convention to continue to be an interesting one. “Please continue to pray for us as we do our best to love and care for people and speak the truth as we understand it in love, the truth that reflects the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said.