Msgr. JW. Katende
16 September 2007
opinion
The recent consecraÂtion of an American anti-gay bishop by the Anglican Church of Uganda to lead some anti-gay congreÂgations in the United States of America is a mixed bag of good news and bad news, smiles and tears. It is good news in so far as it is a heroic witness to the life and teaching of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8).
Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Henry Luke Orombi and Rev John Guernsey (R). Guernsey on behalf of the Archbishop of Uganda will oversee 33 congregations in the US that agreed to be under the province of the Church of Uganda.
Yet, the occasion has, on the other hand, only opened afresh the wounds caused by the controversial consecration by the head of Anglican Communion in 2003 of a practicing homosexual bishop V. Gene Robinson, to lead the province of New Hampshire, US. The latter caused a lot of confusion and scandal among the faithful and in the general public. What is perceived to be a reformation, is, ironically, being divisive of Christ's Church, hence, counterproductive.
History has some lessons in offing, beginÂning with the Donatist schism in the 4th Century. Incidentally, this one also occurred in protest against the leadership of some bishop in North Africa who was being accused of practicing an immoral life-style. Convinced they were servÂing a good cause, the protestors, led by Donatus the Great, ordained their own bishop and called their splinter church the authentic and pure one.
other major splits from the Catholic Church have been: the Eastern Greek orthodox Church in the 11th Century, the lutheran Revolt and the Anglican Church in the 16th Century. And today we witness thousands of born-again splinter groups in the name of revival.
The Donatists were labelled herÂetic on the theological grounds that the validity of the sacraments is not based on the personal holiness and integrity of the minister, but on the holiness of Christ, whose actions the sacraments essentially are. Similarly, the holiness of the Church does not depend on the purity of the members, but on that of Christ. This Augustinian theology, has, apparently, contributed a lot to the ecumenical movement today. The validÂity of Baptism by schismatic ministers among member Churches of the ecuÂmenical movement is upheld.
Many regrettable mistakes have been made in the name of good intentions. Once a splinter has occurred it creates another bruise in the already crucified Body of Christ. It, in effect, militates against the ecumenical movement and leaves behind it a weaker Church in terms of witness. Satan takes the credit.
Evil is overcome with good. Spiritual battles are fought using spiritual weapÂons provided by the Holy Spirit (Acts 15). The priestly prayer of Jesus to his Father, "that all may be one just as we are one, so that the world may believe that it was you who sent me" is paramount in this case (John 17:21).
From His cross, He will always be interceding for us, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing". We ought to apply the same attitude, but with faith, hope, humility, love, prudence, dialogue and patience. The ultimate aim is genuine conversion from personal and collective sin.
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