HOMOSEXUALITY DEBATE AND PROSPECTS FOR ANGLICAN- CATHOLIC ECUMENICAL RELATIONS

Abstract

The question of homosexuality has been a thorny issue within Christianity. The official Catholic teachings are against homosexuality, describing it as intrinsically disordered. Oppositions to this official position has not had any significant effect on the church's unity. In the Anglican Communion, however, because the instruments of communion, like the Lambeth Conference, the Anglican Consultative Council, and the Primates Meetings, cannot dictate for any national or provincial church, there is no unified official position on homosexuality, resulting in bitter contestations that have regrettably split the communion. This paper discusses homosexuality from both Catholic and Anglican perspectives demonstrating how it has widened the gap among Christians. It makes a case for a more ecumenical approach to douse tensions. A proposal is made for spiritual ecumenism that focuses more on the spiritual goods shared in common by all Christians irrespective of their denominational affiliations and differences.