Eames Clarifies his position on Windsor Report

Rev Robin Eames, the chairman of the Lambeth Commission, and the Archbishop responsible for the production of the highly debated Windsor Report, has expressed his "dismay" that the comments he made in a telephone interview with the Church of England newspaper were taken "out of context".

The Windsor Report was released in October with the purpose of dealing with the split in the Anglican Communion over homosexuality. However, many have thought that the report failed to get to the heart of the matter, and much criticism has been directed at the Lambeth Commission, particularly from conservative evangelicals.

The Church of England newspaper has a history of strong links with conservative groups who have expressed their opposition to the ordination of the gay bishop Gene Robinson. The media source reported that Archbishop Eames "had signalled" that an American Church was never likely to face discipline for its decision to consecrate the Communion's first openly homosexual bishop, Gene Robinson.

Eames was reportedly said to have said that conservatives should not expect their calls for the American Church and diocese of Westminster, who authorised same-sex blessings, to be punished.

Eames now reports, "I have been dismayed that certain remarks of mine in a telephone interview with the Church of England newspaper have been taken completely out of context to mean I believe the Windsor Report will not have much effect."

He continued, "Nothing could be further from my hopes and convictions for the Windsor Report which contains the unanimous recommendations of the Lambeth Commission after a year’s prayerful work. Those unanimous recommendations are already receiving widespread and thoughtful study and response."

"They will now go to the Primates Meeting in February with my full endorsement as Chairman of the Commission. Some of the recommendations relate to long-term adjustments to the way we do things as Anglicans and will need a process of continued study and discussion. Other unanimous recommendations relate to immediate problems and need to be implemented by the Primates. I would again emphasise that the Lambeth Commission Report contains the unanimous recommendations of a widely representative body of Anglicans from around the world."

Rev Eames concluded, "The Report has my full support and endorsement as Chairman of the Lambeth Commission and represents my own personal views on the problems facing the Anglican Communion at this time."