Lisa McClain, a professor of history and gender studies published “The Anglican Communion has deep differences over homosexuality – but a process of dialogue, known as ‘via media,’ has helped hold contradictory beliefs together” in The Conversation on April 22, 2024.
An excerpt from the article reads: “With over 80 million believers in 160 countries, the Anglican Communion has been grappling with LGBTQ+ issues since the 1970s.
“Congregations and church leadership disagree on whether homosexuality is contrary to Christian scripture; whether clergy can perform same-sex marriages; and whether openly and active LGBTQ+ people should be ordained to the priesthood and as bishops.
“As a scholar specializing in history of the Christianity and gender studies, I can attest that the Anglican Communion’s lengthy, unresolved dialogue is not so unusual. It is a long-standing process for navigating disputes called the ‘via media,’ or middle way, which has thus far succeeded in holding together people with contradictory beliefs.”
This research was supported by a faculty research grant from Boise State University’s Institute for Advancing American Values (IAAV).