The Pixelated Apology: When Words Aren't Enough
The Anglican Church Southern Queensland's recent apology to the LGBTIQA+ community, which was just released on their website Anglican Focus, is receiving mixed reactions. While the effort to address past grievances is a positive step, the delivery method and context of the apology raise concerns about its authenticity and impact.
The video in question, which was also featured on Archbishop Greaves’ YouTube channel on Tuesday, showcases him delivering the apology in an empty cathedral. The imagery of an apology being made behind closed doors is laden with irony. The cathedral, a place traditionally symbolizing openness and community, was empty—a stark contrast to the vibrant, diverse community the apology was meant to reach.
This empty setting highlights a crucial point: the disconnect between the Church’s words and its actions. Apologies made in isolation, without the accompaniment of genuine, visible efforts to repair relationships and foster dialogue, risk coming off as superficial.
I’ve termed this kind of apology a #PixelatedApology. It’s easy to hit “record” and share a message online, but this method lacks the personal touch and accountability that a more direct approach could offer. A true apology requires engagement with the community it has hurt. It demands presence and dialogue—elements that are conspicuously absent from this digital gesture.
In my previous article, I discussed how the visual of Archbishop Greaves recording the apology in a vacant cathedral seemed to underscore a broader issue: the failure to confront the community directly. The video’s sterile environment does little to convey the gravity of the apology or to invite meaningful engagement.
Words alone, no matter how well-crafted, cannot fully address the pain and marginalization experienced by the LGBTIQA+ community due to past actions and statements from the Church. Apologies are not just about acknowledging wrongs but also about demonstrating a commitment to change and reconciliation. This means moving beyond pixels and into real, tangible actions.
The Anglican Church Southern Queensland’s video apology is a start, but it is only that—a start. For it to be meaningful, it must be accompanied by actions that show a real commitment to change. The Church needs to move beyond the pixels and into the heart of the community it seeks to reconcile with.
As we continue to watch and hope for further developments, let us remember that healing and reconciliation are journeys, not destinations. True progress comes from meaningful engagement and consistent, heartfelt action. It’s time for the Anglican Church to turn its apologies into a living reality, not just a digital echo.
Image Title: "Pixelated Apology: A Hollow Gesture" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.
It should be noted that this was the vehicle that the Archbishop chose to communicate it to the Anglican church - it is not the formal apology to the Rainbow Community. He, and staff at the cathedral have been meeting with the organisers of Brisbane Pride 2024. It is anticipated that the formal apology will be delivered by Archbishop Jeremy on 21st September when he will address the Brisbane Pride Rally to apologise on behalf of the Anglican Church of Southern Queensland.
ReplyDeleteSee my comments below. S
DeleteThanks for the update. I’m concerned that the upcoming apology at Brisbane Pride hasn’t been mentioned on the Archbishop’s Facebook channels, Anglican Focus, or in the video. Clear communication is crucial to avoid confusion and to show that the apology is part of a sincere effort at reconciliation. However it’s also essential for Archbishop Jeremy to address his own community directly. An apology delivered in an empty cathedral feels impersonal and disconnected. Those within the Church who have been hurt deserve a more meaningful acknowledgment, ideally through a service at the cathedral that the entire Anglican Communion can witness. While the public apology at Brisbane Pride is important, it shouldn’t replace a heartfelt service within the Church. Some members of the LGBT+ and Anglican communities might not feel comfortable attending public events like Brisbane Pride, especially if they are not out or if they prefer a church setting for various reasons. Both steps are necessary to truly demonstrate a commitment to healing and reconciliation. Pride events are primarily about protest and justice, rather than serving as venues for institutional apologies, and not all LGBTQ+ people attend or resonate with Pride Parades. Without a genuine effort to engage with your own church there’s a risk that such apologies might come across as virtue signalling rather than meaningful steps towards reconciliation.
ReplyDeleteSelina, I'm also concerned about how the church will support the community during this event, as it could be very triggering for many. Have you thought about how they might address the potential emotional impact and reactions? This is why a cathedral setting might be more appropriate.
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