Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 15:45:54 EST
Subject: [HoB/D] ACNS: Lambeth Commission tackles tensions in the Church
Lambeth Commission tackles tensions in the Church
[Photographs accompanying this article can be found and downloaded
[ACNS with the Church of Ireland] The Lambeth Commission today
expressed
its sadness over the "strident language" being used in the debate
now
besetting the Anglican Communion over the issues of openly gay clergy
and same sex unions.
In a statement following its first full plenary meeting under
the
chairmanship of the Most Revd Robin Eames, the Primate of all Ireland
and Archbishop of Armagh, at St George's House, Windsor, the commission
sets out its work-plan for the next few months.
Due to report to the Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop
of
Canterbury, in September 2004, the commission has organised small
working groups to study and reflect on five key topics.
The subject areas are:
Issues of process in the Anglican Communion
The nature and purposes of Communion
The obligations of Communion
Authority
The role of the instruments of unity in preserving fellowship
The commission states, "The commission is saddened that
tensions within
the Communion, exacerbated by the use of strident language, have
continued to rise in recent months, (and) requests all members of the
Anglican Communion to refrain from any precipitate action, or legal
proceedings, which would further harm 'the bonds of communion' in the
period whilst it completes its work. Mission and ministry, including
prayer for unity, remain the priorities."
The statement also says that the members of the commission "are
united
in their commitment to preserving the unity of the Anglican Communion,
and to finding a way forward."
The commission this week heard various presentations from theologians
including one from Dr Mary Tanner, former Moderator of the Faith and
Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. A full record of
presentations may be found on the Lambeth Commission web site (address
below).
The commission has received submissions from around the world
and
further submissions should be sent to the Commission
Secretary: Revd
Canon Gregory Cameron.
The commission has adopted the title "The Lambeth Commission"
which
recognises that it was set up following the Primates Meeting at Lambeth
Palace, London, in October 2003.
The next meeting of the Lambeth Commission will be held in the
USA in
June 2004.
Notes to Editors
The full text of the Lambeth Commission's statement may be found
on the
commission's
web site.
The Lambeth Commission met at St George's House, Windsor from
Monday 9
to Friday 13 February 2004. The meetings were private.
The members of the commission are:
Archbishop Robin Eames
Primate of All Ireland, (Chairman)
The Revd Canon Alyson Barnett-Cowan
Director of Faith, Worship and Ministry, the Anglican Church of Canada
Bishop David Beetge
Dean of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa
Professor Norman Doe
Director of the Centre for Law and Religion, Cardiff University, Wales
Bishop Mark Dyer
Director of Spiritual Formation, Virginia Theological Seminary, USA
Archbishop Drexel Gomez
Primate of the West Indies
Archbishop Josiah Iduwo-Fearon
Archbishop of Kaduna, the Anglican Church of Nigeria
The Revd Dorothy Lau
Director of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council
Ms Anne McGavin
Advocate, formerly Legal Adviser to the College of Bishops of the
Scottish Episcopal Church
Archbishop Bernard Malango
Primate of Central Africa
Dr Esther Mombo
Academic Dean of St Paul's United Theological Seminary, Limuru, Kenya
Archbishop Barry Morgan
Primate of Wales, (not able to be present on this occasion)
Chancellor Rubie Nottage
Chancellor of the Province of the West Indies
Bishop John Paterson
Primate of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia,
and Chairman of the Anglican Consultative Council
Dr Jenny Te Paa
Principal of College of Saint John the Evangelist, Auckland, New Zealand
Bishop James Terom
Moderator, the Church of North India
Bishop N Thomas Wright
Bishop of Durham, the Church of England
Canon John Rees
Legal Adviser to the Anglican Consultative Council (Legal Consultant)
Canon Gregory K Cameron
Director of Ecumenical Affairs, Anglican Communion Office (Secretary)