ae ORNS
NEWS photo Paul McGrath

ST. DAVID’S United Church is attempting to shed some light on the
contentious issue of the ordination of practising homosexuals by hesting
four evenings devoted to discussion on the topic. Last week, Rev. James
Hillson (right) and Dr. Rev. Don Faris offered their opposing perspec-
tives on the debate. West Vancouver United Church member Michael
Hoole (left) facilitated the discussion and question period.

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Pros, cons debated on
ordaining gay ministers

BEFORE THE discussion at St.

David’s United Church

began last Tuesday evening, a full house of people prayed
for wisdom in debating an issue that had ‘‘haunted the

church for so many years.”’

The issue is whether or not prac-
tising homosexuals should be con-
sidered suitable candidates for or-
dination into the ministry of the
United Church. Jt’s an issue that
has generated almost unprecedent-
ed debate within the church, with
emotions running high on both
sides.

Rev. James Hillson, minister of
St. James United Church in Van-
couver, spoke for the ordination of
practising homosexuals, while Rev.
Dr. Donald Faris of North Lons-
dale United Church spoke against
it.

According to Hillson, it was a
proud moment for the United
Church of Canada when the 32nd
General Council voted last summer
to allow all people membership in
the church, regardless of sexual
orientation, and that all members
of the church would be eligible to
be considered for ordered ministry.
Faris, however, said the vote went
through because of the general
council’s ‘‘pro-homosexual politi-
cal elite,’’ and it doesn't reflect the

News Reporter

will of the majority of church
members.

This summer, the annua! general
council will hear more input on the
issue, and in the meantime propo-
nents for beth sides are speaking
out on their opposing views.

“The church for centuries par-
ticipated in the execution of
homosexuals,’" noted Hillson.
‘(The council’s decision) was a
significant departure from a long
history of oppression of gay men
and lesbian women.”"

Hillson likened the general
council’s statement to their 1936
decision allowing the ordinance of
women ministers. Since that land-
mark change, says Hillson, the
ministry as a whole has benefited
from the infusion of new, feminine
perspectives. ‘‘Scripture stories we
thought we knew well have been
opened up to whole new dimen-
sions.”’ he said by way of example.

Hillson believes the ministry
would be similarly enriched by the
inclusion of homosexual ministers.
“Those who bring the best care
among us are those who bear the
wounds of humanity,’’ he asserted.
“All of us will be better ministers
if some of our ministers are gay
men, and some of our ministers
are gay vomen.””

Faris, however, insisted that the
1988 council decision was ‘‘influ-
enced by the spirit of our times, (in
which) anything pleasurable goes.”’

“‘When sexual ethics are left to
the whims of our personal dic-
tates,’ he emphasized, ‘it’s no
wonder there is confusion and
chaos.’’ The teachings of Jesus
Christ, he said, affirm the sanctity
of the heterosexual, not homosex-
ual, relationship.

He and Hillson were, however,
both quick to disagree with an au-
dience member who asked if AIDS
was God’s way of expressing
disapproval of the homosexual
lifestyle. ‘‘We make no more
moral claim about AIDS than we
do about cancer,’’ noted Hillson.

And while both men agreed that

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