The Zacchaeus Fellowship, a group of Canadian Anglicans who have struggled with same-sex attraction, have issued an open letter to Rowan Williams supporting his controversial re-assertion of traditional biblical teaching on homosexuality.  Here's the full text of the letter, as posted at Virtue Online.

August 29, 2006

Dear Archbishop Williams:

Greetings in Christ! We applaud your recent interview with a Dutch journalist, to whom you said that while the Church welcomes homosexual persons, they are called to align their behaviour with the mind of Christ.

We represent a group of Canadian Anglicans who were once sexually active with members of the same sex or who have struggled with exclusively same-sex attractions. Some of us are now celibate by choice; some of us are now in heterosexual marriages.

We agree wholeheartedly that inclusion should not be treated as a value in itself. Far from experiencing your recent statement as a "betrayal," as one British politician is reported to have characterized it, we endorse the reassertion of the Church's traditional teaching against homosexual acts. When our spiritual leaders water down the life-giving gospel message of repentance and forgiveness, that, we believe, is the true betrayal.

We look to the Church for pastoral care and moral direction, subject to the authority of Scripture, which would empower us in the ordering of our relationships (as stated in Lambeth Resolution 1.10). We yearn to hear our Church boldly preach the gospel message of transformation and discipleship.

We are thankful that you have affirmed your duty to "guard the faith and teaching of the Church." Please be assured of our ongoing prayers for you and the Anglican Communion as you continue to lead us.

Yours very truly, in Christ Jesus,

Rev'd Dawn McDonald (Diocese of Yukon)
Rev'd Don Alcock (Diocese of Huron)
Daryle Duke (Diocese of Rupert's Land)
Carole Simms (Diocese of Toronto)
on behalf of The Zacchaeus Fellowship

http://www.zacchaeus.ca Brochure (http://www.zacchaeus.ca/resources/Who%20We%20Are%20brochure.PDF)

cc: Global Primates
Archbishop T. Buckle
The Zacchaeus Fellowship Chaplain

Zacchaeus Fellowship Chaplain Terrence Buckle is also Archbishop of Yukon where my parish is located.  I have heard him extol the Christian commitment and personal courage of the fellowship members.  They had, or still have, same-sex attractions and yet, with God’s help, denied themselves and took up their cross in obedience to our Lord’s teaching.  Some of them have been liberated from this temptation, but others continue to struggle.  From the fellowship’s website:

We in the Zacchaeus Fellowship bear witness to the transforming power of Christ's love in our lives.

As men and women who have struggled with same-sex attractions, we seek to be a voice of hope to the church and to others who share these struggles. We encourage the Church to stand firm in proclaiming to everyone who experiences same-sex attractions that Christ offers them new life and hope.

We know what it's like to have homosexual feelings. Yet we also have come to accept the Biblical teaching that all sexual relations outside heterosexual marriage are contrary to God's Will as declared in Holy Scripture.

They have joined together to testify to the transforming power of Christ in their lives and to offer hope and support to homosexuals seeking to be faithful Christian disciples.  If anyone knows what Rowan Williams is talking about, they do.

Previous related post: Rowan Williams says homosexuals must change; Anglican liberals aghast

UPDATE (31 Aug.): The letter has now been posted at the Zacchaeus Fellowship's website.