This week the Anglican Communion has been holding a series of vital consultations at Lambeth Palace, London, with the aim of reconciling the rift that has emerged over the issue of homosexuality in the Church.
The situation in the worldwide Communion has become so tense that discord, dissension, and even talks of schism have become regularly related to media reports surrounding Anglicanism.
The series of consultations will look to head off any potential schism that may be forthcoming when the American General Convention takes place in June.
Senior bishops arrived at Lambeth Palace on Monday for the talks with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams. Joining them were other leading representatives from Anglican mission agencies – Anglican Mainstream, and the Anglican Consultative Council. Initial reports say they discussed a range of scenarios and ways in which they could deal with the crisis, according to the Church of England newspaper.
It has been rumoured that Dr Williams, the spiritual head of the worldwide Anglican body, has sought advice on whether he has powers to ‘disinvite’ bishops from the Lambeth Conference in 2008, an event which will see all Anglican bishops across the world gathering together.
However, it was discussed also whether the resolutions that are expected to be agreed by the General Convention in June may prove satisfactory in holding the Communion together.
The senior Anglican Archbishops from across the UK were all present, including the Archbishops of Canterbury, York, Bristol, Durham, Exeter, Manchester, Norwich, and Winchester. They heard presentations from Tim Dakin of CMS, Michael Doe of USPG, Gregory Cameron and Kenneth Kearon of the Anglican Consultative Council and Chris Sugden of Anglican Mainstream.
This week, Sugden had reported that traditionalists as well as evangelicals throughout the world were expectant on the Archbishop of Canterbury following what had been previously laid down in the Windsor Report.
He said, “We’re very concerned that a fudge isn’t good enough. What we’re looking for is repentance and the rescinding of decisions of [the US] General Convention 2003. The fabric of the Communion is torn, not that it will be torn, it is torn.”
