Updated Tuesday afternoon – scroll down
There is earlier news here, here, here, and here.
Lambeth Conference website
Bishops express support for ‘Anglican Congress’ meeting in the Global South
Lambeth Call – Safe Church Sunday 31 July 2022
United in prayer – bishops from around the world join in global chorus at Lambeth Conference Opening service at Canterbury Cathedral
Lambeth Conference Opening Service – the service programme [There is a recording of the service on YouTube.]
Archbishop of Canterbury
Statement on the Archbishop’s meeting with global South Primates
Lambeth ’22 Resource Group [“The official website of the Resource Group serving orthodox bishops attending Lambeth ’22”]
GSFA to Offer Bishops at the Lambeth Conference An Opportunity To Re-Affirm Lambeth I.10- Text Available August 2, 2pm
Episcopal News Service
At Lambeth, Indigenous Anglicans offer wisdom, heartache and a challenge to ‘sweep our house’
Lambeth Conference shifts to more challenging issues as bishops take up Anglican identity
Bishops advance Lambeth Call adopting guidelines to prevent abuse
Themes of service, hospitality resonate for bishops at Lambeth Conference’s opening Eucharist
Church Times
Lambeth 2022: Global South congress is proposed
Lambeth Conference ‘will not split’ over homosexuality
Lambeth 2022: Multilingual cathedral eucharist in Canterbury puts Anglican diversity on view
Lambeth Conference organisers dump electronic voting
Update
Lambeth ’22 Resource Group
Orthodox bishops reveal text of resolution reaffirming ‘Lambeth 1.10’ as the Anglican Communion teaching on marriage & sexuality
The Call to Reaffirm Lambeth I.10
Archbishop of Canterbury
Letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Bishops of the Anglican Communion
Church Times
Lambeth 2022: Resolution 1.10 is still valid, Archbishop of Canterbury tells bishops
Lambeth 2022: Global South Fellowship offers anonymous voting process on its own sexuality resolution
And this which casts doubt on the validity of the entire conference… https://covenant.livingchurch.org/2022/08/01/lambeth-2022-is-white-privilege-making-the-calls/
I had seen this document elsewhere. How dreadful and simplistic. It appears to say that sheer numbers should determine whose leadership and opinions should be accepted and/or disregarded. Note that the author is on the conservative side, so this is quite self-serving. If we really thought that numbers should determine influence and acceptance, this would imply that small churches deserve to be ignored, or, worse, that any opinion or position should be deemed to be right, as long as it has more people supporting it. This opinion is itself in conflict with the New Testament and Christian history. If this… Read more »
If numbers alone indicated correctness in religion, we should all be either Muslims or Hindus
And yet the argument for why we should have same sex marriage and legal abortion is because the majority of the public accept it – are you saying the majority view is not the right view in these as well?
Two different things. One is a political decision–and in politics, the majority rules (or it should); the other–the controversy within the Church–is a spiritual decision, where being in the majority does not necessarily make you right.
The hypocrisy in this is obvious, based on the many years of influence in the Global South from conservative westerners. A case in point is that ACNA is not part of the Communion, but it is a part of GAFCON. So white westerners are not quite as divorced from the Global South as they would have you believe.
Another thoughtless aspect of this awful article is where he uses the Diocese of the Arctic as an example of “Western” hegemony or domination, despite their small numbers. These are Indigenous Anglicans and two Indigenous bishops. You know, people Lambeth is trying to be concerned about. Too bad they are used to further his premise that “large is better,” since, as we know, God likes big numbers. Might makes right.
Cantuar attempts further to manage the ruckus: https://twitter.com/JustinWelby/status/1554441917542309891
The GSFA Resolution: “This Conference:- in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union, and believes that abstinence is right for those who are not called to marriage; recognises that there are among us persons who experience themselves as having a homosexual orientation. Many of these are members of the Church and are seeking the pastoral care, moral direction of the Church, and God’s transforming power for the living of their lives and the ordering of relationships. We commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual persons and… Read more »
“They are then asked to email it to a dedicated email address, and in the subject line, include their name and importantly, the number of worshippers under their direct episcopal care.”
Just another way of saying, “The numbers are in our favor, so whatever you believe in good conscience or by way of following where the Holy Spirit is leading you, you’re wrong! So there!”
I know it may seem like a silly question but, since this ‘resolution’ is being carried out by a ‘faction’ and not under the auspices of the Lambeth Conference, presumably that means it’s a statement independent of the official Conference and – with its own voting system and process – means the end product is not a ‘Resolution’ or ‘Call’ of the Conference. It’s an unofficial action. That won’t change the critical split between those veering towards a ‘plurality’ of views on sexuality, and those who demand just one uniform view imposed on all Provinces. It will have to be… Read more »
If a plurality of views is accommodated in say Scotland where are their conservative Bishops?
Well I agree that in a ‘plural’ system the role of bishop should be open to people from either side of a divide. The Aberdeen/Orkney post was unusual in that the conservative diocese itself could not produce an agreed candidate, with all the controversy that followed when one was imposed. To be clear, in that other divide of views (ordination of women) I have ‘gone against the tide’ in criticising the way Philip North was hounded out of his proposed appointment to Sheffield. If there is true commitment to a plural system then all positions in the Church should be… Read more »
There is nothing new about the endless “division” over LGBT people within the Communion. In fact, for many, it is just more of the same. We “get” that some provinces reflect their homophobic cultures. But the fact that they will not let this go, especially after 25 years of Lambeth I.10 raises many questions. Do they really think we can go back to censuring and excluding LBGTQ-friendly churches? Do they think that this is a serious issue any longer in many places? It could be said that keeping this pot stirring benefits the GAFCON churches and their American affiliates in… Read more »
The final clause of the Resolution implies either a change to more top-down powers for the Lambeth Conference (with implicit limitations to the autonomy of Provinces) or steps to ‘distance’ non-compliant Provinces form participating in the structures of the Anglican Communion, possibly extending even to membership.
The clause itself:
“Urges that renewed steps be taken to ensure that all Provinces abide by this doctrine in their faith, order & practice.”
“Urges that renewed steps be taken to ensure that all Provinces abide by this doctrine…”
Of course there is no way to do any such thing.
The Lambeth Conference has been knocking its collective head against this institutional-competence wall since the Conference began.
It’s been almost two centuries now. Yet the lesson must be relearnt again and again.
At the end of the statement on the Archbishop [of Canterbury’s] meeting with global South Primates, there is a little note which says ‘1 min read’.
Indeed; it took me less than that to note that it contained nothing of consequence whatsoever – except that speculation as to the content of the meetings should not be trusted!
Justin has released a letter, extracts here: “I express again my sadness that not all of Anglican Bishops and spouses are participating. Above all, I feel this gathering is affirming that we belong to one another in Jesus Christ…” Well indeed, not all spouses are participating, because some weren’t invited. “I wanted to write this letter to you now so that I can clarify two matters for all of us. Given the deep differences that exist within the Communion over same-sex marriage and human sexuality, I thought it important to set down what is the case. I write therefore to affirm that… Read more »
Well sussed out, Susannah.
“I express again my sadness that not all of Anglican Bishops and spouses are participating.” What a hypocrite. As you say, it was Cantuar himself who didn’t invite the LGBTQ spouses.
His hands are quite unclean in this matter.
This makes his sacrosanct preachings–“Let us abound in love for all”–rather hard to take!
Can someone identify the province from which the eucharistic prayer in the opening service comes? thanks….
An interested observer might ask what the point is of 600 people meeting on an agreeable campus for the purpose merely of failing to agree about marriage. One cannot help thinking that in an era of war, poverty, climate change and oppression a church might concern itself with a little more than this, but apparently not.
War, poverty, climate change and oppression are actually very high on the agenda of the bishops. Very few are following the issues that are obsessive here. I have had a bishop from the Solomon Islands seeking help to block invasive mining, a Congolese bishop seeking to find a voice for the poor in the midst of recurring violence. An exiled IFE Filipino bishop – exiled for standing up to the oppressive government – is seeking support. South Sudanese bishops only talk about the ongoing issues of violence in their society. Today is all about Climate change. Here is a link… Read more »
Archbishop Welby yet again leads Anglicans in an ouroboros manoeuvre. No wonder young people are not interested.
The past 50+ years of round and round ‘listening processes’, discussions, periods for reflection, debates, meetings, arguments and general blah-blah-blah (copyright: Ms Thunberg) do seem a bit ouroboric. It’s almost like some people are perpetually kicking the can down the road and into the long grass. When you’re trying to square a circle, it’s quite hard to break out from rigid parameters. ‘It has to be a square’… ‘No, it has to be a circle.’ Actually to break loose from the endless processes where we eat ourselves… ‘It has to be both.’ Oh, and love. Lots and lots of love… Read more »
Sadly, it is not just young people – it is people of all ages and generations who cannot comprehend this juvenile and sterile level of deliberation, let alone being reflective and prayerful! Many people I engage with, both inside and outside the Church, cannot understand what is the problem? As one (elderly) parishioner commented last week – ‘love is love!’ In the context of last Sunday’s Gospel I came across this quote from Oscar Wilde, but I believe in the case of this discussion it is very relevant as it applies to the of issues/values of justice, identity and inclusion: ‘Ordinary… Read more »
We should remember that the real victims of the failure of Justin Welby and the bishops to affirm the humanity and relationships of LGBTQI+ people are those very communities in countries where their lives and loves are illegal and put them at risk of persecution or worse. In England, the law gives us a right to marriage and protection from discrimination. If we find that the Church of England is too prejudiced to remain in, we can leave. Not so for our global friends. I was much moved at the opening of the Commonwealth Games that Tom Daley flew the… Read more »
And after Justin’s letter, an opening statement to the Human Dignity ‘Call’. I’ll quote two paragraphs that I think are very interesting. He makes the point that Provinces that have chosen to affirm gay sexuality “have not arrived lightly at their ideas that traditional teaching needs to change. They are not careless about scripture. They do not reject Christ. But they have come to a different view on sexuality after long prayer, deep study and reflection on understandings of human nature. For them, to question this different teaching is unthinkable, and in many countries is making the church a victim… Read more »
I am so tired with this obsession with sexuality as it seems to becoming the touchstone of orthodoxy. There are far more pressing issues in this divided and troubled world. Can’t we agree to differ in good grace? Think for example of our differing interpretations of the Eucharist. Within a few hundred yards of each other in London you have All Souls, Langham Place and All Saints Margaret Street – with completely divergent views and practices for the Eucharist. Yet both C of E.
I absolutely agree, Dr Wallace. And as you point out, by its very nature, the Church of England is not some Calvinist group of ‘purists’ or ‘Puritans’. It is a broad church which has historically accommodated quite a wide range of theological views… the continuity of catholicism within the Church of England… strongly evangelical elements, contrasting liberal theologies, those who centre on a social gospel, supporters of women priests, opponents of women priests. A particular charism of the Church of England seems to me to have been its accommodation of difference, and co-existence (such as the example you provided), because… Read more »
Thank you Susannah – a very helpful reflection.
I have received an episcopal communication directly from the Lambeth Conference, summarising (in the mind of the writer) what actually went on at the Conference “- Recognition has been given explicitly by the ABC as an Instrument of Communion (and tacitly by the Lambeth Conference as another Instrument) that social context is very important to provinces when deciding about marriage and human sexuality, not least because derision for a church can arise in a social context if a church is mismatched with that context. Although ++Justin Welby did not mention this passage, Titus 2:5b (Then the gospel will not be… Read more »
Very wise words, Father Ron. The circumstances at this Conference have been very challenging in terms of seeking unity, but I think Justin has actually been courageous on this occasion in facing down the demands for imposed uniformity, and advocating pluralism of views.
Justin’s letter is quite helpful isn’t it? It reminds us that 1.10 of 1998 is still in place. That’s just a fact. It reminds us that not all agree with it. Again, a fact. But it also spells out that nowhere does the resolution talk of sanctions and exclusions. That is fact too but also a hint, surely, that exclusions and sanctions are not part of what will happen this time around under his tenure?
Exactly, Andrew. People will often criticise Justin. I have myself in some situations. But I believe his statement opening the Human Dignity session was frankly, very impressive. What he’s saying is that (a) support for conservative views on sex is still a majority position in the Communion; but (b) support for gay sexuality can be held with theological integrity and should be accommodated in a ‘plural’ approach to the issue. What I find particularly relevant is that, in refusing to discipline or exclude Provinces that affirm gay sexuality, and in insisting that ‘pluralism’ on the issue should be respected within… Read more »
I’m not sure that a precedent has been set that applies to the CofE. The Anglican Communion may not have doctrine, liturgy and codes of conduct established by law, but the CofE does. Plural approaches may be ignored or tolerated or encouraged by the Instruments of Communion (as they are presently exercised). But plural approaches to doctrine, liturgy and conduct need to be authorised or allowed in the CofE. It’s far from clear whether the LLF process will result in that, given the high threshold of votes needed in General Synod for such change. Whilst the Anglican Communion may not… Read more »
Stephen, no votes are needed for bishops to ‘allow’ diverse views on gay sexuality. No votes are needed to ‘not discipline’ or ‘not exclude’. Bishops have the option of just letting diversity and pluralism set in, and not prevent it… not discipline it… until it’s de facto practice in some parts of the Church of England. Separately, if there was a vote in Synod to re-affirm lifelong celibacy for gay and lesbian people, I suspect that vote would be lost… in which case the bishops could go to Parliament, point out the democratic deficit, and request that Parliamentarians – as… Read more »
For us in TEC, it’s a big deal that Welby finally acknowledged that our decision on marriage equality comes from study, prayer, and reflection, as well as a process of reception. We think it’s the first time. Before, it was always said to be “secular” or a result of our “culture,” and not Scripture, which was insulting, of course. So this acknowledgment is very meaningful for us. Truth be told, the US is still a pretty homophobic place. You can get married on Sunday and be fired on Monday in many states and workplaces. Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people rose… Read more »
‘1.10 of 1998 is still in place. That’s just a fact’
Does anyone know of a Lambeth resolution that was subsequently rescinded? If not, I suspect there might be a whole lot more down the decades that might still be ‘in place’ with whatever interpretation of ‘in fact’ one wishes to place on them.
There are so many. but this is not the point. The divisions in the AC are within, not between provinces. The Western conservative groups are fighting a rear guard action in the hope of culture moving their way. Having non-Western provinces on their side gives them strength. They then exploit divisions in every province. African Provinces are split with pro GAFCON (GSFA) supporters struggling for power with pro Communion people. The ascendency in three is GAFCON. The Ascendency in three- perhaps 4 others is GSFA. The majority are clearly pro Communion. Some are split. At the moment in those if… Read more »