Lambeth ends with Reflections Document

Bishops agree way forward for Anglican Communion


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03 August 2008

The bishops of the Anglican Communion will agree a way forward which they hope will heal the divisions within the Communion. After two-and-a-half weeks of prayer, Bible study, reflection, and what was predicted to be ‘frank expression and robust debate’, the bishops will this afternoon agree a ‘Reflections Document’ setting out their vision of the future of the Anglican Communion.

(You can read the fourth draft of the Document by visiting www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_99686_ENG_HTM.htm)

On the issues central to the dispute within the Anglican Communion, the bishops are calling for a suspension of Episcopal ordinations of partnered homosexual people; the blessing of same-sex unions; and cross-border incursions by bishops - where conservative parishes at odds with the liberal direction of their own diocese seek support and alternative Episcopal oversight from bishops in more conservative countries. The bishops are also calling for a new global Pastoral Forum which could intervene in disputes to be set up ‘speedily’.

This Pastoral Forum would be in place before any decisions are taken on a new Anglican Covenant - a new constitution or membership document defining what is, and what is not, an Anglican. The Covenant has been widely supported by many bishops but is still seen with suspicion by some in The Episcopal Church of America.

The business of the conference has taken place in a number of ‘Indaba’ groups of around 40 or 45 bishops - a new process for many bishops more used to the parliamentary style democratic discussions involving motions, amendments, debates and votes. Bishops say this has helped to build relationships between disagreeing bishops - with some bishops on opposite ends of the spectrum shaking hands or hugging during the discussions on human sexuality. But it means the final communiqué carries the opinions of all, and leads to questions of the different weights to be given to the various statements within the 37-page document.

In a final draft of the communiqué, debated by bishops in a closed ‘hearing’ last night, the bishops say there is ‘widespread support’ for three moratoria:

’This could be the “generous act of love” the communion is looking for. The moratoria could be taken as part of a sign of the bishops’ affection, trust and goodwill towards the Archbishop of Canterbury and one another. The moratoria will be difficult to enforce, so there are some fears as to whether it will hold. But there is a desire to make it do so.

‘There are questions to be explored in relation to how long the moratoria are intended to serve. Perhaps the moratoria could be seen as a “season of gracious restraint.”’

There was also strong support for a new global Pastoral Forum - a rapid deployment hit squad which could be sent to intervene where actions by provinces threaten to cause disruption to the life of the Communion. The Pastoral Forum would also act as a ‘friendly uncle’ providing shelter for those parishes which have pulled away from their dioceses and provinces until such time as they can be ‘returned to their parents’.

‘There is an agreement that it should be pastoral and not legal and should be able to respond quickly. It was also clearly stated that this process should always be moving towards reconciliation with the parent Province.’

But the bishops stressed: ‘It would need to be clear that the forum could operate in a Province only with its consent and in particular with the consent of the Primate of the Province. There was some support for an alternative suggestion to appoint in any dispute a Pastoral Visitor, working with a professional arbitrator and to create in the Communion a “pool” of such visitors.’

The Reflections Drafting Group will prepare a final version of the statement today, taking into account last night’s hearing. It will be presented to the bishops this afternoon when they are expected to affirm it.

But whether this will make any difference is yet to be seen. A large number of bishops have boycotted the conference. The exact number is unclear, but there are about 70 less bishops at the conference this year than in 1998. The Archbishop of Canterbury is amongst those who have said their absence leads to questions over the legitimacy of any statement issued by the Lambeth Conference. The three moratoria were already supposed to be in place, but have been ignored to varying degrees by different factions. And there are no proposals as to what would happen if any province ignored the advice, recommendations or decisions of the Pastoral Forum.

The bishops continue their discussions today and will agree the final statement this afternoon, following which they will hear a final presidential address by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

They will attend a final Eucharist at Canterbury Cathedral this evening, at which the names of seven peacemakers from the order of Melanesian Brothers who were martyred during the ethnic troubles on the Solomon Islands from 1999 to 2003, will be added to the Cathedral’s Chapel of Saints and Martyrs.

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