The Jerusalem Statement - Part 4
Bishops, Marriage, and Sexuality
The Jerusalem Statement emerged from the 2008 Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) as a rallying cry for orthodox Anglicans who felt increasingly alienated from the direction of parts of the Anglican Communion, particularly regarding attitudes to biblical authority, apostolicity, and catholic unity.
7. Historic Episcopate and Ordained Ministry
We recognise that God has called and gifted bishops, priests and deacons in historic succession to equip all the people of God for their ministry in the world. We uphold the classic Anglican Ordinal as an authoritative standard of clerical orders.
This affirmation upholds the threefold order of ordained ministry: bishops, priests/presbyters, and deacons.
These ministries are carried out, it says, in “historic succession,” meaning continuity with the ancient church through episcopal ordination. Now this “succession” can be liturgical (through the laying on of hands) or doctrinal (through the transmission of faith and practice). GAFON is open to both liturgical and theological notions of succession in the orders of ministry.
The “classic Anglican Ordinal” provides the authoritative standard for the qualifications and mission of each office.
Importantly, this is not hierarchical clericalism, notice that ordained ministry exists to “equip all the people of God for their ministry in the world” (echoing Eph 4:11-12). There is a ministry by clergy and for the laity.
This situates GAFCON firmly within the episcopal tradition, distinguishing Anglicanism from non-episcopal Protestant bodies whilst also claiming apostolic continuity.
Come study with me at Ridley College for BTh, BMin, Grad Dip, MDiv, MTh, or PhD. We have a vibrant campus life, high-quality online degrees, and one of the best PhD programs in the world in divinity studies. In addition, there is also the FREE Ridley Certificate. Check out Ridley’s podcast and chapel talks too!
8. Marriage, Sexuality, and Gender
We acknowledge God’s creation of humankind as male and female and the unchangeable standard of Christian marriage between one man and one woman as the proper place for sexual intimacy and the basis of the family. We repent of our failures to maintain this standard and call for a renewed commitment to lifelong fidelity in marriage and abstinence for those who are not married.
This is the Statements’ most controversial point, articulating traditional Christian sexual ethics: marriage is between one man and one woman, sexual intimacy belongs exclusively within marriage, with fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness.
The reference to “God’s creation of humankind as male and female” grounds this in the creation theology of Genesis 1-2. For GAFCON, this isn’t cultural prejudice, but divine design for human relationships.
The inclusion of “We repent of our failures” acknowledges that everybody can carry sexual brokenness and sin, also, many have failed to articulate and authorize these standards of marriage.
This point remains the primary flashpoint in contemporary Anglican conflict.
"Marriage is between one man and one woman, sexual intimacy belongs exclusively within marriage, with fidelity in marriage and chastity in singleness."
Is that the bit where the Pastor tells my gay friend that he must live alone for the rest of his natural life before the afore mentioned Pastor goes home to his lovely wife??
What is Mullaly's stance on these issues? Do we have clarity? It would be good for all Anglicans to know- at least for those who have not yet joined Gafcon or become Catholics.