Oxford Diocese Group

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For details of meetings, venues and further information, please contact the Convenors: Kate Prendergast,
tel: 01865 727139
mobile: 07810 352607
email: kate@brodgar.fsnet.co.uk
Tony Phelan, 64 Staunton Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7TP
tel: 01865 764685
email: anthony.phelan@keble.ox.ac.uk

Report on recent group meetings

Changing Attitude Oxford in 2003
The Oxford group met at Keble College on 12 July.  As it was the first time since the controversy surrounding the appointment of Jeffrey John to Reading, and his subsequent withdrawal, there was clearly a lot to talk about and strong feelings to be expressed.

The convenor reported that he had written to Jeffrey John on behalf of the group, welcoming his appointment.  He had also spoken to and written to the Bishop of Oxford congratulating him on his speech to the Diocesan Synod, in which he had expressed his desire that the diocese be a “gay-friendly diocese”.  It had also been an opportunity to inform the bishop of the existence of Changing Attitude in his diocese, and invite him to a future meeting.  Since Canon John’s withdrawal there is an even greater need for mutual support.

Each member of the group expressed their own feelings and reaction to the news.  It was felt that the group needed to take a firmer stance and, for example, issue a press release to local newspapers in the Oxford diocese.  Having had an article refused by the editor of the diocesan newspaper, the convenor would try again and try to get a leaflet into the diocesan mailing.  Other possibilities might be to work with the Oxford college chaplains who had taken an initiative recently, and to arrange a public discussion of the issues.  There was a need to pray for those who had “hardened their hearts”.  One piece of good news came from a member of the group who brought with her a copy of a recent sermon by her vicar expressing encouraging views.

The largest gathering so far of the Oxford Changing Attitude group took place in Oxford on 18 September.  Fifteen members turned out to hear the invited speaker, Alison Webster – Social Responsibility Adviser in the Oxford diocese.

Looking back over the last 15 years it seemed that not much had changed in terms of church debates on sexuality, especially same-sex relationships.  However, she believed the situation had become both worse and better.

Now the gloves were off and the battle was over the boundaries of faith, but society had changed and had become more liberal, particularly where employment was concerned, and the church was making itself look ridiculous.  Today race, gender, and sexuality were equally matters of concern and debate, and it was racist to think there was not sexual diversity in other parts of the world.  We need to pay greater attention to the dynamics of sex, race and politics.

Alison also believed that we need to change the terms of the debate.  Referring to Jo Ind’s book Memories of Bliss, she pointed out that sexuality is complex and the church has never found a satisfactory way of responding to it.  Terms like “heterosexuality” and “homosexuality” were too restrictive.

Peter Atkinson