The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Justin Welby and John Sentamu, have today issued a joint communiqué to all Primates of the Anglican Communion around the world and to the Presidents of Nigeria and Uganda, expressing their opposition to the new laws that in many countries – especially in Africa – are discriminating against gay people.

“The victimisation or diminishment of human beings whose affections happen to be ordered towards people of the same sex is anathema to us. We assure homosexual people that they are children of God, loved and valued by Him and deserving the best we can give” in terms of “pastoral care and friendship”.

In this regard, Welby and Sentamu recall in their statement the words of a communiqué issued in 2005 by the Primates of the Anglican Communion: “We wish to make it quite clear that in our discussion and assessment of moral appropriateness of specific human behaviours, we continue unreservedly to be committed to the pastoral support and care of homosexual people”.

Hence the two English Archbishops call upon the leaders of Anglican Churches across the world to “demonstrate the love of Christ and the affirmation” expressed in the communiqué of 2005.

via SIR – Servizio Informazione Religiosa – Daily.

A Jesuit priest recently observed that the Seattle students who were insisting on the reinstatement of their gay deputy principal were following Pope Francis’ hope that young people would “make a mess” in their dioceses. Just before that, a report in the Seattle Post concluded from available evidence that the students were winning. News today that the school principal has now resigned, following the earlier example of the chairman of the school board, indicates that he was right – the students clearly are winning.

But they have their own standards, they have not won, yet. First, must come the reinstatement of Mr Z. Thereafter, a much tougher ask – a change in church teaching. That’s less likely than their primary demand, but no longer an impossible dream.

 From Bondings 2.0:

A month of walk outs, petitions, and intense media attention is creating change at Eastside Catholic High School as the school’s president and CEO announced her resignation abruptly yesterday. In December, Sr. Mary Tracy terminated Vice Principal Mark Zmuda after he married his husband, triggering an ongoing movement for his reinstatement called #KeepMrZ2013. The Seattle Times reports further:

“It comes just days before a planned schoolwide meeting Thursday, during which board members — who have been the target of persistent lobbying by students, alumni and parents — are expected to field parents’ questions…

“Tracy’s statements about whether Zmuda was fired or resigned, and what role the Seattle archbishop played in that decision, at times contradicted those of the school’s attorney and the archdiocese.”

Zmuda also claims that Tracy told him divorcing his husband would allow him to keep his job. Her resignation is seen by Zmuda’s supporters as a sign that Eastside Catholic’s board is now seriously engaging this issue. It is not, however, an end for their movement, which seeks both Zmuda’s reinstatement and reform of the Church’s approach to sexuality issues.

The president’s letter follows the resignation of Eastside Catholic’s board chair earlier this month. This whole situation highlights how widespread the harm is when Catholic schools implement anti-LGBT policies.

You can read Bondings 2.0‘s past coverage of #KeepMrZ2013 below.  We will continue to update this story as it develops.

–Bob Shine, New Ways Ministry

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Related articles (at Bondings)

• January 18, 2014: Jesuit Priest Endorses Students ‘Making a Mess’ in Seattle
• January 17, 2014: Seattle Archdiocese Responds As Students Keep Fighting Unjust Firing
• January 10, 2014: Anti-LGBT Policies Create Vaccines Against Faith in Catholic Schools
• January 7, 2014: Love Always Wins: Students Inspire Hope with Their Defense of Fired Gay Teacher
• December 20, 2013: Catholic Students Protest Firings in Seattle and Philly; What You Can Do to Help

Other Related articles

• Eastside Catholic (commonwealmagazine.org)
• Sister resigns after Wash. Catholic school turmoil (wfaa.com)
• Eastside Catholic president resigns in wake of gay controversy (mynorthwest.com)
• Catholic School President Resigns Amid Protest Over Firing Of Gay Principal (ontopmag.com)
• Sister Resigns After Wash. Catholic School Turmoil (abcnews.go.com)
• Catholic school president resigns after gay vice principal’s ouster (cbsnews.com)