The Rt Rev M. Thomas Shaw III, SSJE
Diocese of Massachusetts
138 Tremont
Boston, MA 02138
Dear Tom,
It has come to my attention that you propose resolutions before your forthcoming Diocesan Convention which are directly contrary to the majority position expressed at Lambeth regarding human sexuality.
Specifically, the language I have been given is that the Diocese "affirms that God calls some homosexual people to live together in committed relationships and that the Church can and does appropriately bless such unions, and that God calls some homosexual people in such relationships to ordained ministry and that the Church can and does apparently ordain them..."
It seems disingenuous for you to pursue this course when the Archbishop of Canterbury, our Presiding Bishop, and Rwandan Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini have asked Bp Rucyahana (who agreed for now) not to cross diocesan lines to visit St Andrew's in Little Rock, AK out of respect for the Lambeth Resolution on that matter.
I believe the resolutions you propose in Massachusetts will trigger and international response in the Anglican Communion that could tear us apart, not to mention the further strife that will be set loose in ECUSA. Of course we disagree on the validity of the positions you hold on the issue of homosexuality, but I though we were all enjoined to respect each others positions and not take precipitous actions. I guess I was misinformed. I pray you will reconsider your proposed course of action on November 6th and 7th. Otherwise, it could lead to widespread ecclesiastical anarchy.
Faithfully,
Stephen H. Jecko
Bishop of Florida
cc: The Most Rev Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop
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