 ‘I want to apologize’ Backlash targets NCC leader’s flip-flop on marriage By John H. Adams The Presbyterian Layman Volume 34, Number 1 Posted January 24, 2001
He told the delegates that he would withdraw his name from the statement, which was also signed by representatives of the National Association of Evangelicals, the U.S. Roman Catholic Bishops and the Southern Baptist Convention. “If the NCC does not want to partner with the Roman Catholics, Southern Baptists and evangelicals on this,” said Dr. Kevin Mannoia, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, then, “I feel sad that they have chosen not to engage with us on this very important issue.” Edgar favors gay marriages Edgar said he was removing his name because he personally favors gay marriages and gay union blessings and the statement refers only to marriage between a man and a woman. Edgar’s action came as a surprise to other groups whose representatives signed the statement. He had told Catholics, evangelicals and Pentecostals that he wanted to work with them to launch a new ecumenical movement. The marriage declaration was viewed as a way to show consensus among the different groups. But Edgar told delegates to the NCC’s annual General Assembly that “I would like to make a public apology. I did not serve you well in the last week and a half. I signed my name onto a letter that had not been approved by a committee. After careful review, I realized this is a mistake. I want to apologize to those whom I have offended.” Mannoia said he was “deeply disappointed” that Edgar decided to remove his name from the marriage declaration. Diane Knippers of the Institute on Religion and Democracy, who signed the Declaration, called Edgar’s flip-flop “an outrage.” Parker T. Williamson, executive editor of The Presbyterian Layman, said, “There can no longer be any question where the NCC stands on our most basic union, instituted by God and blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ. Mr. Edgar and his associates have alienated themselves from the Christian tradition.” Exactly what prompted Edgar to retract his signature was not revealed. On the morning of the day before he made his announcement, he attended a meeting of the NCC’s gay caucus. After he was gently criticized by the speaker Welton Gaddy of the Inter-Faith Alliance, for having signed the statement, Edgar defended his action. The general policy of the National Council of Churches has been neutral on issues relating to homosexuals. Twice, the NCC has rejected applications by Metropolitan Community Churches, a primarily gay denomination, to join the NCC. And although some of the delegates to the General Assembly of the NCC are sympathetic to same-sex unions, only one of the 36 member communions – the United Church of Christ – specifically authorizes its ministers to perform the ceremonies. In February of 2000, at the meeting of the General Assembly Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Edgar declined to take a stand on the issue, noting then that a public commitment to homosexual marriages would hurt fundraising efforts. |
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