Waiting for word from Lambeth

Raphael · 10-17-2003, 12:04 AM

This was taken from our local newspaper over here in South Africa. Aaron, I know what you mean. I've also been worried about this..

'You are tearing church asunder'
Anglican clerics criticise Amercians, Canadians over gay issue
The world's leading Anglican clerics on Thursday criticised rebel clergy in the United States and Canada for threatening to tear the church asunder by defying its policy over homosexuality.

But after two days of crisis talks in London, the 37 clerics stopped short of expelling the North American rebels as some conservatives in the church had sought.

In a statement, the clerics said they "deeply regret" the actions of U.S. and Canadian Anglicans for electing an openly gay cleric as bishop and voting to allow same-sex unions respectively.

"These actions threaten the unity of our own communion," the clerics said at the 12th century Lambeth Palace.

"We recognise that we have reached a crucial and critical point in the life of the Anglican communion and we have had to conclude that the future of the communion itself will be put in jeopardy" if the bishop's consecration proceeds, they added.

The clerics urged Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who heads the world's 70 million Anglicans, to set up a commission to mull how the church can solve crises such as the homosexuality issue.

The clerics have been locked in secret talks for two days, trying to resolve what has become a major crisis for the Anglican communion, a loose alliance of churches which trace their roots to the Church of England.

The brewing crisis came to a head with the decision of U.S. Anglicans, known as Episcopalians, to appoint a divorced father of two as the first openly practising homosexual bishop in the history of Anglicanism.

That decision contravened church policy, agreed at the Lambeth Conference of 1998, which says the Anglican communion cannot support "the legitimising or blessing of same-sex unions or ordaining of those involved in same-sex unions".

The two-day meeting in London brought together 37 of the 38 leaders of the provinces of the Anglican church. The 38th, from the Philippines, was unable to attend.

The Anglican communion unites 38 churches spread over 160 countries from Africa to Australia.

By failing to take stricter action against the rebel Episcopalians, there is now a risk that conservative Anglicans - notably in Africa and South America - will leave the communion of their own accord.
Publish Date: 17 October 2003
Source: REUTERS

**Ted Logan** · 10-17-2003, 12:47 AM

Thanks for dropping in, Roger, and congratulations on your wedding!!

Raphael · 10-17-2003, 01:30 AM

Thanx Aaron.

Charism · 10-21-2003, 11:59 AM

If the Church was to divide up on a national basis, what would the minority opinion holders do on both sides of the question?

Can the house divided stand?

Grace

**Ridley's Own** · 10-21-2003, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charism

If the Church was to divide up on a national basis, what would the minority opinion holders do on both sides of the question?

Can the house divided stand?

I'm not following the question. Please explain.

Charism · 10-22-2003, 09:05 AM

Let's just take a sample case.

Say you belonged to an African Church - which splits off from the US and Canadian Churches. Now let us say that you were in favor of the ordination. Where do you go?

Do we now have not only a split along international lines - we also have a split on the original issue. It's like taking a piece of paper, folding and tearing, folding and tearing, over and over again.

How many pieces are there going to be when we are done?

And how will all the Kings horses and all the Kings men going to put us back together again?

Grace

**Ridley's Own** · 10-23-2003, 10:51 PM

Ahh. I understand.

First, it'd be my assertion that there are not a whole lot of African Anglicans who would be wildly supportive of Bp-Elect Robinson, anyway, so the question is probably moot anyway.

Secondly, you do raise a really, really good question and it's one I don't have an answer to, other than to again argue that that scenario is precisely what happens when someone (on either side of the issue, I might add) puts individual interests over the needs of the larger community.

Charism · 10-24-2003, 08:30 AM

I agree, this is not an issue for most Africans - or anyone outside of the 'Western' Church.

It will be a major issue in Canada, The United States and Britain.

I know that all I can do is pray.

Come Holy Spirit.
We need Your gifts of Wisdom. knowledge and understanding.
Pour on us afresh ...
Open our hearts to receive ...
Guide your people in your will.

Grace