See here first.
The Church of Ireland Gazette has an editorial today, Lambeth Conference Funding which says:
…However, should the Church of Ireland be approached to contribute some funds towards the £1.2m shortfall, it should not rush to join in footing the bill because what the shortfall points to is a serious level of mismanagement. It is the height of financial irresponsibility to run a massive international conference venture without being sure that the necessary finance is in place…
The Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council is a priest of the Church of Ireland.
Has anyone seen the budget? While the expenditures would be nice, too, since this story broke, I’ve wanted to know what they were thinking before asking “Whatever were they thinking?!”
Has a breakdown of the costs of the Lambeth Conference been made available? I’ve participated in organizing largish international conferences, and the conference organizers and conferees together spent only the tiniest fraction of what the Lambeth Conference cost.
While I hope Anglican churches throughout the world will be as gracious as possible, I have to wonder what was the cause of the overrun.
In the previous article, Richard Lyon wondered if we should ask the Institute for Religious Development to pony up. I think he means the Institute on Religion and Democracy. The Rev. George Conger seems to think that the Anglican Communion is doomed. That’s too bad, because the good folks at the IRD have no shortage of money.
http://www.theird.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=748&srcid=748
“the shortfall points to is a serious level of mismanagement. It is the height of financial irresponsibility to run a massive international conference venture without being sure that the necessary finance is in place…” Another paraphrase opportunity. “… the shortfal points ot a serious level of mismanagement. It is the height of irresponsibility to run a massive international salvation without beng sure that the necessary grace is in place…” Those who purport that Jesus has “completely” fulfilled scriptures with no regard to the feminine, or beasts, or non-Christians have fallen short of God’s grace. Those who deny the significance of… Read more »
Perhaps the ABC should reconsider Presiding Bishop Schori’s invitation to come to America for a fundraising tour.
I’m sure American Episcopalians will be delighted to contribute and very generous.
I’m ready with my checkbook right now!
Maybe the Irish are more concerned about the future. After all, the outlines for the smaller but purer Anglican Communion of the future seem to suggest that there will be much more curial and synodical kinds of meetings. And with the Americans and the Canadians gone, who’s going to pay for them? Maybe the Irish are saying, “Not us!”
Paying heavy Anglicans to play closed minded Lambeth games, cleverly finessed by keeping the genuine voices of modern queer folks definitively outside Lambeth – only reveal the pattern of mis-management that may indeed have affected finances and financial planning for Lambeth. Is anybody else in the progressive believer communities tired of paying for conservative realignment yet, thanks exactly to folks just like IRD, George Conger, and the whole busload of conservative operatives trying to shift the communion or bring down the historic Anglican global big tent? It’s a realignment or bust plan, folks. That Anglican institutions of unity should have… Read more »
I would be most interested to see how the ABC would be received in the USA – I doubt he would have the directness to make the journey and test the waters in person since he strikes me as one who is quite cautious in all arenas. I am reminded of the African Bishop (name escapes me) who was reportedly afraid to go to the UK for fear of being confronted by demonstrators who might pose a personal risk. Truly a shame since I believe much good could come from such a visit.