Global South Anglican has published this Statement at the Lambeth Conference 2008.
The note at the bottom says:
A note from Archbishop John Chew: “Signatures are still being gathered at the point of posting and will be released as soon as we are able to. Bishops who were at the special meeting on the 22nd of July are welcome to add their names to the undersigned list. To indicate, please email us at admin@globalsouthanglican.org
When a list of names is posted, I will update here too.
Monday morning update
14 CommentsThe Most Revd Gerald James (Ian) Ernest (Indian Ocean)
The Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi (Burundi)
The Most Revd Dr. Dirokpa Balufuga Fidèle (Congo)
The Most Revd Archbishop John Chew (Southeast Asia)
The Most Revd Stephen Than Myint Oo (Myanmar)
The Most Revd Valentino Mokiwa (Tanzania)
The Most Revd Daniel Deng Bul Yak (Sudan)
The Most Revd Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis (Jerusalem & The Middle East)
The Most Revd Justice Ofei Akrofi (West Africa)
The Most Revd John Wilson Gladstone (South India)
The Rt Revd Donald Mtetemela (Tanzania)(Ed: This list is still being updated)
The Sunday Programme on BBC Radio 4 is devoted entirely to the conference. Listen to Jane Little here (URL lasts for only one week).
Robert Pigott of the BBC has another diary update here: read A TWO-TIER COMMUNION: 2 AUGUST.
Bishops blogging: Episcopal Café has a new roundup here.
Jonathan Wynne-Jones at the Sunday Telegraph has Bishops ask Archbishop of Canterbury for an ‘orderly separation’.
For a different viewpoint, read Rod Liddle in the Sunday Times at That’s the spirit, Bishop Bigot. Let’s hate everybody.
10 CommentsUpdated Saturday 11 pm
The fourth draft of the Reflections document is available in full as a PDF here.
The Church Times blog has a commentary on it by Bill Bowder at The Bishops’ reflections – comprehensive, but rather hurried.
The Episcopal Café has extracted the two controversial sections of the text and they can be read at Live: Semi-final draft of Lambeth Reflection paper with some commentary by Jim Naughton.
And earlier, Jim wrote Live: bits and pieces as time ebbs at Lambeth.
See also Live: feudal morality.
The BBC’s Robert Pigott has updated his Lambeth Diary again, see A TWO-TIER COMMUNION: 2 AUGUST.
Update
Marites Sison at Anglican Journal has No concrete action anticipated on sexuality before Lambeth concludes
And also, Bishops of South Asia urge ‘continuing listening and healing’.
Solange de Santis at Episcopal News Service has Lambeth bishops air differing views on covenant.
5 CommentsYesterday’s press conference was about the proposed Covenant. Here are the reports of that:
ENS Mary Frances Schjonberg Lambeth Conference begins two-day covenant discussion
Anglican Journal Marites Sison Lambeth seeks common ground in proposed covenant
ACNS Press Conference on Anglican Covenant: ‘We are on a pilgrimage together’ and the full audio recording of the press conference is here.
Jim Naughton has some background links and commentary at Live: softpeddaling the appendix.
11 CommentsUpdated Saturday evening
The Bishop of Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa, and presiding bishop of Jerusalem & the Middle East,Mouneer Anis, has held a press conference and issued a written statement.
You can read the written statement in full here.
Update For a full video record of this press conference, go to this ENS page, and navigate by date to to the two videos dated 08/01/08
You can read Jim Naughton’s take on this at Live: Mouneer Anis forgets his lines.
Ruth Gledhill also reports on it, in Endless debate on sexuality ‘is exposing Anglicans to ridicule as the Gay Church’.
The First draft of the Lambeth reflection on the bishop and human sexuality can be found at Episcopal Café under Live: Lambeth bishops reflecting on sexual ethics.
It is also discussed here on ENS and at “No idea” consecration of gay bishop would cause such a stir on Anglican Journal.
Martin Beckford has this in the Telegraph Liberal agenda of Western churches a ‘new form of colonisation’
28 Comments… or more accurately today it’s news from the big white train, as I head back north and west ready for tomorrow’s Three Choirs Festival opening service.
We took photos in our bible study group this morning and I handed round Celtic style cards with knot patterns on like the ones I have at times designed and fabricated into rugs, cushion covers and jumpers. I inscribed in each a Franciscan tau cross and Latin greeting and then appended my email address. Put together that says quite a lot about my spiritual wells. Yesterday a colleague had given each member a copy of the TEC Book of Common Prayer which brought back happy memories of when I used the rite to say matins each morning whilst staying with a Texan priest in Peru.
The indaba groups are moving from direct discussion of sexuality to matters of covenant. I guess there’s a general recognition that we’re not, in two or three weeks, going to build levels of agreement (or agreement to differ) the whole way, but there’s a sense of having made enormous progress in terms of mutual understanding, love and (dare I say it) trust in each other and each other’s integrity. Whilst nothing will satisfy Orombi and Akinola, nor the shady figures from North American behind them, there’s been good solid evidence on campus that archiepiscopal bullying has its limits and that there is a more representative voice of southern conservatism which will listen to those of its neighbours who have been at Lambeth and are able to share the seriousness with which we are working at our unity and respond to such visible signs of progress as can be signed off by Sunday night.
Highlight of the day: (actually last night at the Old Palace reception) yet more conversations with amazing people such as Sebastian Bakare of Harare and Cardinal Walter Kasper.
Lowlight of the day: Train struck a tree so we limped to the next station before being decamped onto the following stopper. Reached Charing Cross 30 minutes late to find Bakerloo line closed.
Last word: Thanks everyone for your comments.
3 CommentsTwo reports from Anglican Journal by Marites Sison
Primate expresses ‘frustration’ that Canadian church’s voice hasn’t been heard at Lambeth hearings
27 CommentsUpdated 5.30 pm with items from Friday:
Covenant is ‘future-directed’ says Gomez by Paul Handley
The sexuality section of the draft ‘Reflections’ document
Feeling stuffed before the final meal
Ugandan Primate criticises Dr Williams
In the paper today:
Many of these are subscriber-only, but here is what you can read now:
Group proposes standstill to ease Anglican tensions
Surmise, frustration, and interest greet proposals
Chief Rabbi pleads with Communion to stay one despite differences
Bishops given frank talk on rape and beatings
See also this list here.
And the CT blog has The indaba groups talk about sex
12 CommentsOther that is than the opinion article in The Times by Archbishop Henry Orombi which is here.
BBC Robert Pigott Lambeth Diary updated again on 1 August, read No Changing of Minds.
The Times Joanna Sugden Hazy deliberation brings no resolution, just reflection
Guardian Riazat Butt ‘Mini Lambeth’ would be the way forward, say dissatisfied bishops and also Lost property, naked bishops, and the mark of the beast.
Telegraph Martin Beckford Archbishop of Canterbury ‘betrayed churches over gay bishops’ (this covers other topics besides Orombi).
And there are numerous stories about what Bishop Cathy Roskam wrote. See here, here, and here.
10 CommentsToday Anglicans circled prayerfully and slowly around, worked hard at not stepping on each others toes, and eventually all ended up in the centre admiring Canterbury. Yes, it was the official opening of the new University Labyrinth on the slope behind Eliot College and with wonderful views over both city and cathedral. I’m not sure whether the Conference simply coincided serendipitously with the labyrinth’s creation or not, but it made a fine late addition to the programme and afforded yet another way of holding all we are doing before God.
Our indaba group on sexuality was every bit as moving as I had hoped for. Emotionally I think the Conference has gone a long way towards endorsing what I would call responsible, accountable, contextual diversity. The tricky bit may be trying to capture that in a text that will survive the flights home, the determined shredders of the blogosphere and the efforts of some of our absent friends.
The morning video journal, before the dismissal at the end of the Eucharist, featured Tom Shaw from Massachusetts (thank you spell checker) and a Tanzanian bishop (whose name I didn’t catch) explaining how they keep up a warm and loving dialogue on human sexuality, that has now lasted several years, across their obvious and persisting theological differences. It was an example of the same graciousness that has been the hallmark of the last two weeks, but it shows it doesn’t have to end when Lambeth is over. The video introduction featured Rowan, who started by saying, “The 1998 Lambeth Conference spent a lot of energy discussing sexuality”, at which point the audio failed, whilst the picture jumped once or twice then stuck on a still of the Archbishop with his eyes closed (a blink stretched into eternity). Clearly this is where the energy finally ran out. The whole big blue tent roared with laughter, especially Rowan himself, and the mood, already buoyed up by a splendid sermon from the Archbishop of Burundi, rose even further. It was a good start to a good day.
Highlight of the day: I’m invited to supper at the Old Palace Canterbury tonight.
Lowlight of the day: when I get back I’m going to have to pack as tomorrow is my last day here before returning to Worcester for the Three Choirs Festival.
4 CommentsUpdated Friday morning
Today the press conference on sexuality occurred. Jim Naughton has captured the event well in Live: talking sex successfully, and see also his earlier, Live: talking sex.
Listen to the press conference here.
Anglican Journal Marites Sison No consensus yet on sexuality, but bishops make ‘significant step forward’
ENS Mary Frances Schjonberg Sexuality discussions bring Lambeth bishops to frank conversation and videos of both the presentations are also available, Archbishop Ian Ernest here, and Bishop Colin Johnson here.
Sorry, it has been pointed out to me that these videos do not have individual Permalinks, you have to locate them from here, by date. The date for these two items is 07/31/08.
10 CommentsUpdated Friday morning
The full article in The Times by Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi can be read at The Church cannot heal this crisis of betrayal.
And Ruth Gledhill writes about it: Rowan Williams betrayed churches over gay bishop, says African leader
Ruth Gledhill reports: Lambeth Diary: Rowan accused of ‘betrayal’
In a comment piece in tomorrow’s Times, the Archbishop of Uganda, Henry Orombi, will accuse the Arcbishop of Canterbury of a betrayal at the very deepest level. He will argue that even the Pope is elected by his peers, but Dr Williams in his office is little better than a remnant of colonialism.
Also, in The Times Cardinal Kasper is reported to have been very negative, see Catholic-Anglican relations reach new low over women bishops
The full text of this is now available in English at Zenit Cardinal Kasper to Anglican Communion
29 CommentsPat Ashworth has Rowan Williams: a call for mutual generosity
and also Windsor: mixed responses
Ed Beavan has Bishops talk about Windsor Continuation Group’s proposals
and Greg Venables: We’re still not addressing the basic issue
5 CommentsRobert Pigott has updated his diary, see the 30 July entry at Lambeth diary: Anglicans in turmoil
Hear what coverage the Today programme had this morning by going here. And also here. 0735 and 0855.
6 CommentsRiazat Butt has a Lambeth Diary in the Guardian. Today it is titled Group meetings to resolve conflicts mocked by bishops.
It also mentions the use of diplomatic passports by archbishops. Here’s some more background from Uganda. It’s an inter-faith issue as you can see.
Kampala Monitor Uganda: Religious Leaders Holding Diplomatic Passports Illegally
…Religious leaders who hold diplomatic passports include the Archbishop the Church Of Uganda, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, the Archbishop Of Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Uganda.
When contacted, Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said; “I can’t comment on a matter which I have not heard. I will give a comment later.”
However, the Muslim Supreme Council Publicist, Hajji Nsereko Mutumba, defended the religious leaders’ right to possess diplomatic passports. “Did they get these passports through the window?
Religious leaders are sacred people. They are bigger than even ministers. They should hold these passports,” he said. Mr Kasaija, who was defending his Shs290 billion 2008/9 budget said Ugandan diplomatic passports have been abused by criminals who masquerade as diplomats.
He said officials who are supposed to access diplomatic passports include; government ministers and their spouses, foreign service officers, their spouses and children below the age of 18, the head of public service, the chief justice, justices of the High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, chancellors and vice chancellors of public universities, the governor and deputy governor of Bank of Uganda, recognised traditional and cultural leaders, the speaker and deputy speaker of Parliament, permanent secretaries, chairpersons and vice chairpersons of permanent commissions…
Red Pepper State Probes Mufti, Orombi over Diplomatic Passports.
2 CommentsTimes Online has a roundup Lambeth Voices: a panel of Anglican bishops share their views with Faith Online. Mouneer Anis is forthright in his views.
Other Blogging Bishops are rounded up regularly by Episcopal Café and the most recent articles in this series are Bishops blogging, July 30, and Blogging bishops, July 29.
1 CommentToday, the press conference was concerned with the interpretation of the Bible. The speakers were Archbishop David Moxon and Professor Gerald West from South Africa.
Jim Naughton has this: Live: the Bible press conference
Anglican Journal Marites Sison Bishops share common commitment to remain biblical
Episcopal News Service has a report by Mary Frances Schjonberg Lambeth bishops wrestle with Scripture and there is also video of Professor Gerald West addresses media at Lambeth News Conference Search for this video on date 07/30/08.
There are no reports of this in the British newspapers so far.
0 CommentsTomorrow is sex day here at Canterbury, so tonight I’m missing any number of receptions being hosted by groups wanting to get the last word to bishops in advance. Meanwhile the work on the “conference document”, whatever that will turn out to be, continues apace; the listeners draft texts which we then meet each afternoon to critique. Today’s session was remarkable only for the fact that hardly any USA bishops spoke, otherwise we made the usual range of strengthening and clarifying amendments that 600 articulate adults are always going to be able to provide. We’re being told that a number of people have responded to Rowan’s question last night about what they might offer in generosity to those of an opposing view. There’ll be more discussion on that tomorrow.
The spouses fled the campus this morning, being taken on a range of day trips to different parts of Kent and its environs. It was suggested over breakfast that the group going to Rochester might pay a friendly call on the bishop; if he won’t come to Lambeth, Lambeth could come to him. In its wilder versions the idea involved large quantities of rainbow ribbon.
I’m clearly getting a reputation in my bible study group; one colleague was quite adamant that I wasn’t going to be allowed to go through a whole session without telling them a story about St Francis of Assisi.
Highlight of the day: a brilliant lecture on scriptural authority by Tom Wright, who combines immense scholarship with a highly engaging style. Unusually for a 4pm slot the room was packed.
Lowlight of the day: my debit card was jammed then swallowed by the ATM. Still, that solves the question as to whether I pay £22 for the official photo. In any case, Dave Walker’s cartoon version gives a far more complete picture of our time here.
16 CommentsYesterday, Dr Maria Akrofi of Ghana addressed the daily press conference.
Watch it all here.
Read the report by Pat Ashworth Rape and the abuse of power: bringing it home to the bishops.
ENS had Bishops, spouses discuss power abuses in joint session
19 Comments