Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 18:57:30 -0400 From: Chris Ambidge Subject: *Integrator* files for 1991 INTEGRATOR, the newsletter of Integrity/Toronto volume 91-6, issue date 1991 08 01 copyright 1991 Integrity/Toronto. The hard-copy version of this newsletter carries the ISSN 0843-574X Integrity/Toronto Box 873 Stn F Toronto ON Canada M4Y 2N9 == contents == [91-6-1] FINLAY FIRES FERRY / the bishop of Toronto outs gay priest, removes him from parish, and inhibits his orders [91-6-2] HOW IT HAPPENED / by Norm Rickaby [91-6-3] WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? / by the Executive of Integrity/Toronto [91-6-4] WHAT CAN ONE DO? [91-6-5] REACTIONS: "Dear Bishop Finlay..." / copies of three letters to Bishop Finlay in reaction to the Jim Ferry situation [91-6-6] TEXT OF BISHOP FINLAY'S LETTER TO ST PHILIP'S-ON-THE-HILL, UNIONVILLE [91-6-7] THEOLOGY AND AIDS CONFERENCE [91-6-8] OTHER THINGS ======== This special issue of *Integrator* focuses on the dismissal of the Reverend James Ferry by the Bishop of Toronto, because Ferry is gay. This scandalous situation cannot be swept under the rug. This issue of *Integrator* is being distributed to a wider circulation than usual. ========= [91-6-1] FINLAY FIRES FERRY Bishop of Toronto outs gay priest, removes him from parish and inhibits his orders In early July, the Rev RJ Ferry was "outed" to his parish by the Rt Rev TE Finlay, Bishop of Toronto. Jim Ferry was removed from the incumbency of his parish, and had his orders inhibited. All this happened because Jim was honest about his sexual orientation and his life. Integrity/Toronto is appalled by the actions of Bishop Finlay. It is our policy never to reveal the sexual orientation of those who are not "out". However, now that Bishop Finlay has outed him (first to the parish, then in a press release), we must stand by our brother Jim, and we do so with his knowledge. Integrity's reason for existing is to improve the position of lesgay people in the Anglican Church of Canada: if we did not oppose this, we might as well close up shop. In this issue of *Integrator* we present a synopsis of the events leading up to Jim's inhibition, some comments on where we may go from here, and some reactions from church members. ======== [91-6-2] HOW IT HAPPENED [This account was written by Norm Rickaby after having heard it related by Jim several times, and is presented here with Jim's permission. If there are any errors in detail or in fact, the errors are probably Norm's, since Jim is away on a short vacation at the time of writing and publishing] = = = = = Mary Hunt, a U.S. theologian and author of the recent book, Fierce Tenderness once defined "Church" as "an unlikely coalition of justice- seeking friends." Recently, the Reverend Jim Ferry, a parish priest for the last eleven years in the Diocese of Toronto, found NEITHER justice nor a friend in Diocesan Bishop , the Right Reverend Terence Finlay. In fact, Jim was abruptly "outed" and fired for being a gay man despite the fact that no one with any standing in his parish had asked for his removal, that no consultation between the parish and the Bishop took place, or that no questions about Jim's abilities or effectiveness as a Parish Priest were raised. How could such a thing have happened in a church which promotes itself as standing for justice and civil rights for all people and calls its members regularly to renew their Baptismal vow to "respect the dignity of every human being"? How, you may ask, could such pain be inflicted by the same Bishop who recently said regarding the national church's study resource about lesbian and gay Anglicans, *Our Stories/Your Story*, "It is important to hear these stories and to reflect on the pain people experience in their life, and at the same time to search for God in the midst of all this"? The sequence of events leading to this travesty are these: Since 1988, Jim Ferry has been Incumbent of the parish of St. Philip's on the Hill at Unionville -- a comparatively affluent suburban community in the northeast part of the Greater Metropolitan Toronto region. Around Christmas 1990, a certain woman in the parish spoke to one of the Wardens and said that she believed Jim was a homosexual and that it was necessary to get rid of him. When this conversation was reported to Jim, he realised that once such talk had begun it would be impossible to put a stop to it. Wanting to discover if he could develop a supportive community, over the first three months of 1991 he had conversations with about a dozen key parishioners (including the Wardens and Deputy Wardens) in which he "came out" to them. Every single one of these people was positive and supportive in reaction. None of them seemed to feel that Jim's orientation made any difference to their perception of him as a fine priest and leader in the parish. In April of this year, the national church published its resource *Our Stories/Your Story*, a booklet containing stories of nine Anglicans, clergy and lay, lesgay and otherwise, and their experiences with the church. Jim heard that several parishioners were carefully reading this resource trying to figure out which of the stories was his (actually, Jim's is NOT one of the stories there) so that they could prove their suspicions. In response to the publication of this book and Bishop Finlay's call for people to study it, the parish's Outreach Committee arranged for a Reflection Event in June at which parishioners would have a chance to discuss the Resource. This event was to be led by another priest of the Diocese who is a member of the national Working Group on Gays and Lesbians in the Church (WGGL) which had produced the booklet. The event was attended by some 30 members of the parish. Of these, there was clearly a tiny angry, negative group who were opposed to taking a compassionate look at the lives shown in the stories. Despite the negative tone of the few, the final conclusions of the majority at this event were that they needed and wanted to do some further study. First, they felt that they ought to learn more about how Anglicans use the scriptures in formation of our approach to moral decisions. They also thought it would be useful to have other events where they could consider sexuality and, perhaps, meet and talk with some lesgay people. The day BEFORE this Reflection Event took place, however, one of the angry people had called the People's Warden and told him "You tell Jim to resign, or we're going to the Bishop." There was, apparently, a long list of complaints, but the bottom line was the suspicion that Jim was gay. The Warden told Jim of this blackmail threat the next Sunday. Since there was a threat that parishioners would go to the Bishop, Jim (properly) decided that he must let the Bishop know that some trouble was brewing and where it might be coming from. Accordingly, Jim made an appointment to see Bishop Finlay at the end of June and took his Rector's Warden with him. In the course of this interview, Jim and his Warden made it clear that the troublemakers were a few people who did not reflect the feelings of the majority. Jim also told the Bishop that at the core of their anger was their suspicion that he was gay. Though Jim's personal life has always been completely discreet, he felt that it was the right time to tell the Bishop that he is gay and that his Wardens and other selected people in the parish already knew it. The Warden who was with him was able to confirm that as well as to tell the Bishop that those who knew were not uncomfortable with the fact. The Bishop responded by asking Jim if he were aware of the House of Bishops 1979 Guideline. [In 1979, the national House of Bishops agreed upon a Pastoral Guideline -- not a policy or rule -- with regard to Postulants. Before ordination, a homosexual could be asked to promise to be celibate in order for the ordination to proceed. The Guideline does not apply to clergy already ordained.] Jim responded that while he was aware of it, there was someone in his life with whom he shared a faithful, loving relationship. He also said that he was not prepared to abandon this relationship. In the course of their discussion, Jim told the Bishop that, rather than penalising gays for their orientation, "the church needs to hold up to me the same standards of fidelity as it does to straight people." The interview ended with the Bishop telling Jim that he felt himself in a very difficult position, but also seemed quite sympathetic towards Jim and his situation. He told Jim that he really needed to have some time to pray and seek guidance about what to do. He indicated that it might take some time, but that Jim was to let people in the parish know that they were to be patient. On July 3rd, the Bishop's secretary called and asked Jim to come and see the Bishop on the morning of Tuesday July 9th. The Wardens of St. Philip's were told that they should come and meet the Bishop in the afternoon of the same day. On July 9th, Jim went to the Bishop's office accompanied by a member of the parish Outreach Committee. The parishioner was NOT permitted to go into the meeting with him. Jim met the Bishop and his Executive Assistant alone. The Bishop felt that Jim must have understood he would have to resign when he came for the first meeting. Jim responded that he did not understand that at all, that other possibilities existed. However, the Bishop was not prepared to consider any other options, and led the discussion around to resignation and ways in which that might be handled. One suggestion was that Jim could prepare a statement which he would read himself in the parish the following Sunday, after the Bishop approved it. Much of the Bishop's concern through this meeting had to do with the effect on St. Philip's parish and the diocese. Towards the end of the hour, Jim raised concerns about HIMSELF -- what kinds of severance and benefits would be given to him? The Bishop replied that this was an aspect he hadn't thought about! He told Jim that he would seek some advice about that. By the afternoon meeting with the Wardens, the Bishop had apparently sought the advice he needed and announced to the Wardens that there would be no severance package. He made a statement to them which he repeated to Jim the following day by phone; "The church would not want to be seen as rewarding Jim for his behaviour." The following day on the phone, Jim told the Bishop that he could not resign under the circumstances. He had spoken briefly with a lawyer who said that to resign with no severance considerations at all would be foolhardy. The Bishop felt that Jim had gone back on what they had "agreed" the day before. He said that the only thing the Diocese would provide was a Vocational Counselling service. Though Jim asked for the same benefit of time to consider and pray about the matter as the Bishop had had for himself, Finlay responded that there was no time left (the Bishop went on vacation the next day). He said that if he did not have Jim's resignation on his desk the following morning (Thursday July 11th), he would have to inhibit Jim from his priestly functions and remove him from St. Philip's. That next morning, Jim called the Bishop and told him that he still did not feel that he could resign. The Bishop then read to him a letter which inhibited Jim from all priestly functions. The letter cited as cause Jim's decision to continue his relationship with a man. The Letter of Inhibition was sent by courier to Jim two hours later. At the Sunday morning services at St Philip's on July 14th, Suffragan Bishop Douglas Blackwell read a letter to the parish from Bishop Finlay, making it clear that he was simply a messenger. The letter [full text is below] stated that Jim had been removed from the parish and inhibited as a priest. It gave, as the Bishop's reason, that Jim had decided to continue in relationship with a man. This letter told the entire parish that Jim is gay. Most of them had had no idea, and it came as a great surprise. The news of Jim's removal was received with shock, dismay and some tears. About thirty people cornered Bishop Blackwell after the service and expressed their horror that Jim and his parishioners had been treated so badly. This story has not ended. We do not know if it will have a happy or a sad ending. Jim went to the Bishop not absolutely certain that he would receive justice, but confident that he would be treated with compassion. Since Jim did not get compassion, we believe that he may now demand justice. ======== [91-6-3] WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? The executive of Integrity/Toronto deeply regret the need firmly to rebuke the bishop of Toronto, but his actions have serious consequences that cannot be ignored. o The Bishop has declared the non-acceptance of lesgay persons in the Anglican Church. In this "Decade of Evangelism" he has reinforced a widely held assumption in the lesgay community that God is irrelevant or (worse) cruel and hateful. The Church is seen to be just a reactionary institution enshrining homophobia and patriarchy. Where in this is the Good News? o The Bishop has undermined the work of the Church within the AIDS community, many of whom are lesgay or otherwise marginalised. He has affirmed their suspicion that the Church is anti-gay and not to be trusted. o The Bishop has polarised the lesgays-in-the-church issue, forcing direct and vigorous confrontation, aborting the dialogue that had been going on. There will now probably be a long, public, and ugly battle. Regardless of the outcome, the Anglican Church will lose many members on both sides, though it pains us that there can even be talk of "sides". Some have already left. We can only pray that this will not mean the loss of many souls. o The Bishop has caused panic among lesgay clergy. Many faithful servants of God he is forcing deeper into unhealthy lies, crippling their spiritual work while exploiting their labour. Several are searching for new jobs in the secular world. o The Bishop has granted inordinate power to would-be blackmailers. Anyone who has an axe to grind against a priest that they suspect of being lesgay now knows that the Bishop will provide an adequate threat. o The Bishop has violated the basic legal rights of one of his employees. o The Bishop has violated Jim's privacy, outing him to whoever cared to listen. The Church as a whole, especially the bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada, and particularly the Diocesan Bishop of Toronto must re-evaluate the "rules" and traditions regarding lesgays and the Church. Jim's particular case is unclouded by other complicating issues. It is pure and simple homophobia. There is no moral middle ground between acceptance and rejection. Either lesgays are Christians, or they are not. The 1978 House of Bishops' statement called us "brothers and sisters for whom Christ died". This schizophrenic situation is parallel to the attitude towards women in the Church only a few decades ago. Then the Church had to acknowledge the validity of the cry, "Either ordain women or stop baptising them". The Love of God demands no lesser consideration of lesgay Christians. We affirm furthermore that the distinction between orientation and practice is untenable. The love between two women or two men can be as life-giving and blessed as that between a woman and a man. One cannot assert that it is only valid to express this love physically in the bonds of a sanctioned union, and then deny the possibility of that union. In the case of clergy, it is unjust to impose a promise of celibacy as a condition of employment when alternatives exist for one group but not for others. The horse is already out of the barn. It is too late to wish that all this had not happened. What can we now do to be constructive? First of all, we must pray, and pray earnestly, for all involved. We cannot presume to tell God what must be done. When we pray, let us ask, "What would Love Incarnate have me do?" Let us listen, and expect an answer. ======== [91-6-4] WHAT CAN ONE DO? First of all, pray. Pray for Jim. This has been a most difficult time for him. Knowing the way the Guideline of the House of Bishops might be interpreted, he had some suspicion that he might be removed from his parish. He did, however, expect that if that action were taken it would be handled gently, sensitively and with true compassion. It was not, and Jim needs your prayers. Pray, too, for Bishop Finlay. He has spoken often of the need to be sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. Now he is the one who has inflicted pain and suffering on people for whom he had pastoral responsibility: both Jim and the parish of St Philip's. Pray that he might be sensitised to what he has done wrong and reinstate Jim. A second action is to write to the Bishop of Toronto -- The Right Reverend Terence Finlay, 135 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1L8 -- and tell him how you feel about this incident. Especially, make reference (if you can) to the fact that you are gay, or a relative of someone who is gay, or a friend of lesgay people. It is important for the Bishop to realise just how many people are directly affected by his action. Copies of letters should be sent to Jim Ferry (c/o Integrity/ Toronto), to the Diocesan Executive Committee (c/o the Secretary-Treasurer, D. Ptolemy, at the same address as Bishop Finlay), and to the Primate (The Most Reverend Michael Peers, 600 Jarvis Street, Toronto Ontario M4Y 2J6) A third suggestion, for those who live in the Diocese of Toronto and who are participating in Diocesan programmes such as Faith in Action, is to withhold your support of those programmes and to re-direct your support elsewhere. This could be to some other programme (such as the Downtown Churchworkers' Association AIDS work, or Anglican Houses services to Persons with HIV/AIDS, or to the Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal, etc.). Alternatively you might choose to support Jim himself (through Integrity) -- he will be without income as of September 1. If you choose to take fiscal action, send a letter to the Diocese to let them know what you are doing and why. Fourthly, send a note of encouragement and support to Jim -- The Rev. James Ferry, c/o Integrity/Toronto, PO Box 873, Station F, Toronto M4Y 2N9 -- and we'll be delighted to forward it to him. You are also particularly invited to Integrity's Service of Hope on August 28th, 7:30 pm at Holy Trinity, when we will focus on this situation. We will pray for Fr Jim Ferry, for the parish of St Philip's, and for all gays and lesbians in the Anglican Church of Canada. The preacher at this service will be the Rev. Brad Lennon. ======== [91-6-5] REACTIONS: "Dear Bishop Finlay..." Letters have already started going to Bishop Finlay. Here are excerpts from some that have been copied to Integrity/Toronto = = = = = = [Letter A] ... Jim Ferry is being "punished" for being forthright and honest with you. Your treatment of Jim, whose abilities as a priest and pastor are hardly in question and who has always carried out those duties with integrity, is unfair. By this action, you send out some very clear messages to the other gay clergy in the Diocese about the continuing need for the conspiracy of silence and lies. Those messages include: "1. Continue to lie about your identity (if not in words, by your careful avoidance of the subject). "2. If the Bishops 'know' about you, make sure that you do not do anything that allows them to ADMIT that they know. "3. If there has been discussion of orientation, maintain the pretence of celibacy. Either (a) keep your lover far from the parish, or (b) live in celibacy here, but take holidays in Montreal, or Buffalo, or some other distant place where casual sexual contacts can be made. "4. Continue to live in marriages in which hidden frustration and anger often impair the ability to function as whole people." All of the above have been and continue to be the dishonest and unhealthy ways in which lesgay clergy of all denominations have had to try and deal with the fact of who they are. This living of lies has been imposed upon them by a church which is happy to employ their gifts and talents while denying them the justice of authentic, honest living. In addition, the church which stands for justice and love and in which we call people to honour their baptism vows to "respect the dignity of every human being" should not be tossing out the human rights of an individual by (essentially, if not in actual words) dismissing on the grounds of sexual orientation. Finally, to have required resignation in less than two days (on threat of inhibition) giving Jim no time to consider how he should respond nor to seek legal advice (both of which were advantages you certainly took for yourself during the period you waited before taking action) and to have offered no appropriate severance provisions is unworthy of any "Christian" organisation. Am I angry? You bet I am. Will this issue be kept quiet and within the confines of the Church? I doubt it. Your attempt to handle this in a quiet and unjust way has almost guaranteed that it will go much further. = = = = = = [LETTER B] ...I daresay that you think that you had no choice in acting against Jim, that you had to abide by the rules, by the discipline of the church. That, Sir, was the attitude of the Pharisees, who were more concerned with following written regulations than by doing that which was loving. What you did was not loving in any way -- either to Jim, or to his parish, or indeed to all lesgay people (who comprise at least one tenth of your flock). Our Saviour told us to act in love, and no-one, least of all bishops, is exempt from that. While your action has had a devastating effect on Jim, its damage goes much further than that. You have said loud and clear that lesgay people are considered to be, at best, second-class Christians in the Anglican Church. What do you think that does to lesgay clergy? Surely you must realise that Jim is not unique. What do you think that does to lesgay people in the pews? Or to their families and loved ones? These are not rhetorical questions, Sir. I want you to consider the rejection and hurt that you have dispensed in the name of the church. I'll tell you what it does to THIS gay man. You make me feel un- accepted by God's church, and there is a powerful dissonance between that and the love and acceptance that I, through God's grace, find in the gospels. You also make me feel like a hypocrite. On Lesbian/Gay Pride Day last month, I was standing at the Integrity table on Church Street talking to the many passers-by, telling them that Jesus loves them, and that I found that love in church. Now I feel that I was lying to them. I wouldn't advise any lesgay people to come to an Anglican church now. You have dis-evangelised them. From our baptism onward, all Christians are commissioned to act to advance the Commonwealth of God. We are to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. I cannot see how your actions of late with Jim Ferry or St Philip's parish have advanced the Commonwealth of God, or how they have moved for justice or peace; and they have certainly not respected the dignity of one of your priests. I used to say "the Anglican Church baptised me, they're stuck with me". Today I am not convinced that I want to be stuck with the Anglican Church. I am losing faith in you, Sir, as my father-in-God. I hope that you can act with your brother bishops to ensure that Jim is the last priest dealt with in this dreadful way by this church. = = = = = = [LETTER C] ... Jim turned to you for support and instead of being empathetic and compassionate, you betrayed his trust and hurt him. It is also extremely distressing that you punished Jim's coming to you himself by offering him a totally inadequate severance package. His conduct as a parish priest was unblemished and he deserves better treatment. Jim came to you trusting that your compassion would lead you to stand up with him and say that he had done nothing wrong. You assumed that in being honest on the subject of his homosexuality he was automatically tendering his resignation. Homosexuality is not a crime or an abomination; it is an expression of sexuality. Jim was honest and refused to live in a conspiracy of silence. He wanted to live in a proud and honest way, you wanted him controlled and back in the closet. Lesgay people are restricted from entering into marriages and so lesgay priests cannot live by the Anglican practice for clergy of sex-only-in- marriage. Heterosexual clergy can marry. The disparity is intolerable, it names being lesgay as scandal even when the priest is in a loving, monogamous relationship. You take advantage of the gifts of lesgay clergy in the diocese but refuse to acknowledge or allow them to acknowledge their sexuality. A large portion of Jim's congregation was outraged by the announcement of his firing. Jim's wardens supported him completely and sent you a letter outlining their support. In allowing a few heterosexist, self- important bigots to run a caring and effective minister out of a parish you have demonstrated an amazing lack of leadership. You had an opportunity to minister, in a concrete way, to members of Jim's parish about the importance of honesty, compassion and love. Instead, you validated heterosexism, bigotry and blackmail (in another word, HATE) by inhibiting him and publicly outing him when he would not agree to resign. We are lesbians in a committed and loving relationship. This situation is the culmination of a rocky road in the Church for us. We feel that the Church should be a nurturing, loving Christian place that cares for its members and clergy. There is no place in the Anglican Church for self-accepting lesgay people and so, as lesbians, we are withdrawing our support of it. We trust you will not rest easy in this matter and hope that your prayers lead you to compassion in future decisions. ======== [91-6-6] TEXT OF BISHOP FINLAY'S LETTER TO ST PHILIP'S-ON-THE-HILL, UNIONVILLE Dear Friends: I first became aware of your Incumbent's situation when he and his Churchwarden came to see me two weeks ago and thus it is with real sadness that I have to make this announcement: In light of the Reverend Jim Ferry's decision to remain in a continuing relationship with another man, which is incompatible with the discipline of the Church and the standard adopted by the National House of Bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada, it has become necessary for me to withdraw the licence of your Incumbent and to inhibit him from any further priestly responsibilities. Jim has given a great deal to the Church in this Diocese and my decision was not easily made. It is unfortunate that Jim's decision and the National policy forces me to take such action. At the same time, I am fully aware that the reality of gay clergy continues with us. For this reason I welcome the fact that your Parish, through its Outreach Committee, has provided an opportunity for discussion and study in order that people might come to a deeper understanding of this matter. It is important that this discussion continue and I would sincerely hope that, in the autumn, it will be possible to bring together those who hold differing opinions in order to have an informed discussion which would be helpful to the National House of Bishops, particularly since it meets in November. I am indebted to the ministry of the Rev Ruth Adams, Assistant curate in this Parish and to the support and confidence of the Churchwardens. It will be important for you to work with them to ensure the healing process that will be necessary within this community. I realise that some of you are disappointed by my decision, but I have an obligation to act on the policy agreed upon by the National House of Bishops. Now it will be important for all of us to remember Jim in our prayers and to continue to provide an opportunity for people of differing points of view to discuss the issue. Thank you for your understanding. Please be assured of my prayers and the prayers and support of the College of Bishops. Yours Faithfully +Terence Finlay Bishop of Toronto Mission: To worship God and proclaim Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and to embody -- in word and action -- God's reconciling love, justice, compassion and liberation -- through which knowledge of God's reign is extended. ======== [91-6-7] THEOLOGY AND AIDS CONFERENCE We have been asked to publicise the Theology and AIDS conference to be held in Toronto on Thursday and Friday September 19 and 20. It is being sponsored by the Downtown Churchworkers' Association and is aimed at *those currently active or involved in AIDS ministries, and *those who have already debated and decided that AIDS is and issue to pro-actively address, and want to learn how. The conference will be an interfaith gathering for the purpose of developing and/or enhancing AIDS education, prevention, support programmes and resources within religious centres and communities. For further information, contact Jo (Johann) Campbell, DCA, 145 Adelaide St E, Toronto M5C 1L7; 366 7797 or 366 4129 FAX. Registration is $45, or pay-what-you-can. ======== [91-6-8] OTHER THINGS The work of Integrity continues on other fronts. We were active at Lesbian/Gay Pride Day, celebrated in Toronto on June 30. We had a table on Church Street, where we spoke to many passers-by, and marched in the parade. Estimates vary, but about at least 50,000 people were present for this celebration. Our annual retreat with Sr Thelma-Anne at St John's Convent was a great success: a dozen of us began our discussions with Paul's letter to the Galatians and went on to explore being included and turning from false gospels. ======== End of volume 91-6 of Integrator, the newsletter of Integrity/Toronto copyright 1991 Integrity/Toronto comments please to Chris Ambidge, Editor chris.ambidge@utoronto.ca OR Integrity/Toronto Box 873 Stn F Toronto ON Canada M4Y 2N9