Global South Anglican has published this: On the Dublin Meeting: GSA Editorial.
The full text is copied below the fold.
21st January 2011
There have been various interests and concerns expressed about the absence of some Global South Primates at the forthcoming Dublin Primates’ Meeting.
Where these Primates are concerned, arriving at such decision was not a sudden or knee-jerk reaction. Both before, and more so after, The Episcopal Church has once again proceeded, against widespread appeals and warnings across the Anglican Communion, not least from the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, to consecrate an openly lesbian Mary Glasspool as bishop. The concerned group of Global South Primates had communicated very clearly with the Archbishop of Canterbury, especially those who were present at the All African Bishops’ Conference (Entebbe, Uganda Aug 2010), in a private conversation with him. They have indicated that it would be extremely difficult – and in fact, quite pointless – for them to be present at the planned Primates’ Meeting 2011.
Unless and until there is unequivocal commitment to honour the agreed basis of Lambeth Resolution 1.10 and implement the decisions of previous Primates’ Meetings (2005, 2007, 2009) expressed in the respective Communiqués, especially that of Dar es Salem 2007, it will only lead to further erosion of the credibility of the Primates’ Meeting and accentuate our failure to honour the work already done by them.
What is most disturbing and difficult is that given the intractable miry situation the Communion is already in and being further driven into, there was hardly any timely and intentional prior consultation and collegial engagement of all concerned (or at least as many as reasonably possible) in preparing for the Meeting to ensure certain degree of significant and principally legitimate outcome to hold and move the Communion together. In light of the critical importance of the Meeting, the preparations are gravely inadequate. As it stands, the Meeting is almost pre-determined to end up as just another gathering that again cannot bring about effective ecclesial actions, despite the precious time, energy and monetary resources that Primates and Provinces have invested in attending the Meeting. This, most Provinces could scarcely afford. With the disappointingly lack of serious transparent planning and leadership beforehand to prepare the Primates for a genuine meeting of minds and hearts to face the very real and obvious issues before us, it will be strenuous to expect any significant, meaningful, credible and constructive outcome of the Dublin Meeting.
In the light of these concerns, these Primates have actively urged a postponement of the Meeting until adequate ground work has been done, which they would be most ready to contribute, hopefully, with input by others as well.
Therefore, it is with great sadness that some Primates have arrived at the decision that it is not right for proper for them to be present at the Dublin Meeting.
This stance is in fact an expression of Global South Primates’ commitment to continue to be constructively and responsibly engaged in the apostolic life and witness of the global Anglican Communion.
This is a sad apologia for GAFCON’s failure to go to the Dublin Primates Meeting. Simply because not all of the Communion in in agreement with their own primitively-Evangelical understanding of the Scriptures, they are going to deprive their primatial colleagues of their presence at a meeting of one of the Instruments of Unity. In a way of course, that is as it should be. If GACON Primates are really so intensely opposed to the inclusive actions of any one of the fellow Provinces then their presence could be particularly embarrassing. In this case, though, they have problems of their… Read more »
Of course, the primates in question again insist on the Lambeth resolutions being legislative rather than advisory–at least insofar as they do not affect THEM–something that has never been the case and which is not allowed for in the Communion as currently devised.
“As it stands, the Meeting is almost pre-determined to end up as just another gathering that again cannot bring about effective ecclesial actions…” They don’t seem to grasp that the Primates’ Meeting was set up initially for mutual dialogue, support and counsel, and never intended to produce “effective ecclesial actions” as they put it. Of course, if they do grasp it, then this is just another use of the Big Lie to convince others that the PM is something it is not. I suppose if the PM could be predetermined to turf out TEC they would come. “This, most Provinces… Read more »
I have been searching for the second comment on this thread – but in vain.
It may be that an offering from Ron now counts as two?
Sounds like a perfect opportunity to overturn Lambeth 1.10 as they should now have the necessary votes without conservative opposition. Time to move on from the listening process.
Outstanding summation, Nom de Plume.
Vaya con Dios, (some Primates & bishops of the) Global South.
Amazing! Let me see if I understand this. The meeting is not worthy unless a predetermined set of actions that they want are agreed to by their hosts. OK!
They should look at how the UN decided to intervene in Korea. Hmmm….
FWIW
jimB
I take back everything cynical and critical I’ve ever said about Rowan. He is clearly pursuing a strategy of genius, giving GAFCON enough rope to hang themselves!
Hopefully, this quasi-curial body will unravel.
Oh my word. Moral pressure from the Global South. Moral pressure from purporters of St Wilfrid’s F in F consortium. What next for the poor Anglican Communion. Dissolution? Resignation of +Rowan? Oppression of women and gays throughout the Communion? Come on bishops and disaffected hierarchs. Get on with it – if you want to create yet another set of ‘pure’ churches and societies that are exclusive to your supporters. Let the rump lick it’s wounds and reconnect with reality. Una
What Una said.
Brava