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Serving God in the heart of our community since 1881 St Andrew's Church, Taunton |
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Disclosures - Conversations Gay and Spiritual by Michael Ford
Reviewed by Adrian Smith
Some months ago Canon Jeffrey John, a distinguished theologian at Southwark Cathedral, who also happened to be a celibate homosexual, was forced to withdraw as Bishop of Reading even before he took up his new role. The Dean of Southwark, The Very Reverend Colin Slee described the treatment of his colleague as “appalling prejudice and abuse” at the hands of a relatively small group who sought to undermine the authority of the Archbishop. Colin Slee went on to argue that the withdrawal of Jeffrey John hurts not only those who are gay, but also “thousands of Christian people who are not gay but believe strongly in God’s love and redemption for all his children equally.”
In autumn 2003 Canon Gene Robinson was consecrated a Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, USA. His consecration took place amid death threats and warnings of schism in the Anglican Communion.
This was headline-grabbing stuff, but thoughtful Christians worldwide realised that they were witnessing simply the most sensationalised and high profile examples of an oft repeated human story. This story, with infinite variety, can be told by thousands of gay and lesbian Christians throughout Britain and the world, who seek to serve their God whilst remaining true to themselves.
In ‘Disclosures’, Michael Ford invites 24 gay and lesbian Christians from Britain, the USA and Africa, to share their stories with us. In doing so, Michael reveals something that many of his friends here at St. Andrew’s already know – he is a very good listener. Bringing to birth the stories of these Christians, “has taken greater courage on their part than persuasion on mine” writes Michael, and has been for them “painful and therapeutic at the same time”. The stories are indeed extraordinarily powerful, and leave with us a vestige of the profound spirituality and courage of those who share them with us.
Colin Slee, quoted in the prelude of the book, states: “It is irrelevant to God’s love whether people are male or female, slave or free, black or white, gay or heterosexual. We are addressing spiritual apartheid”. This is a statement both eloquent and emphatic, and unequivocally expresses the issue at the heart of the debate.
In ‘Disclosures’, which gathers together what Michael describes as “vignettes of human struggle and joy”, he succeeds in his stated aim which is to offer a contribution to this current theological debate. The contribution is thoughtful, moving, and grounded in the universal love of God.
‘Disclosures – Conversations Gay and Spiritual’ by Michael Ford is available in The Parish Library.
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Page updated 30/09/2007
