If bishops' votes were for sale, liberal Episcopalians functioned from no disadvantage. Wealthy and endowed parishes in the northeast have a long history of pouring millions of dollars into various African nations. If money changes everything, liberals brought decades of financial largesse to the table. If liberal Episcopalians truly believe that the Lambeth vote on homosexuality was so fickle, so up for grabs, they underestimate just how seriously most Anglican bishops take the testimony of Scripture. The first few post-Lambeth months suggest a long and demanding road ahead for Episcopalians who care about the issues that divide us.
Conservatives face temptations of gloating and triumphalism.
Liberals face temptations of rage and incrimination. We are disobedient Christians if we yield to those temptations. Imputing ill will to one another merely locks Episcopalians in a situation even worse than what we knew before Lambeth. That settles it. Even if conservatives had such power, handling power in such a brusque fashion poisons our souls.