Windsor Report calls for Apologies, Reconciliation and Unity

The Lambeth Commission has released its highly anticipated report, entitled ‘The Windsor Report’ in London at St Paul’s Cathedral at 12 noon. The 121 page report refused to be drawn on one side or the other of the homosexuality debate, but instead focused its attention on the massive rift that had formed within the Anglican Communion since the ordination of the openly homosexual bishop, Gene Robinson in New Hampshire, USA last November.

The report does make clear however, its call for those who supported the consecration of openly gay clergy to accept a worldwide Anglican Communion consensus on homosexuality or risk tearing the whole Church in two.

In the foreword Reverend Robin Eames tries to show how the Lambeth Commission have approached making the report and the report starts with the big question that has been at the forefront of the commission’s minds over the past year: “What do we believe is the will of God for the Anglican Communion?”

Eames lays down the basis of the rift of the communion and shows how the Lambeth Commission have kept all parties under consideration in making their decision, including “a large constituency of faithful members who are bemused and bewildered by the intensity of the opposing views on issues of sexuality. This group embraces worshippers who yearn for expressions of communion which will provide stability and encouragement for their pilgrimage.”

Eames continued, “The depth of conviction and feeling on all sides of the current issues has on occasions introduced a degree of harshness and a lack of charity which is new to Anglicanism. A process of dissent is not new to the Communion but it has never before been expressed with such force nor in ways which have been so accessible to international scrutiny.”

It was stated that “The proposals which follow attempt to look forward rather than merely to recount how difficulties have arisen.”

The in-depth report called on the Bishops involved in the controversy of ordaining Canon Gene Robinson in the US to apologise for the consequences of their actions, which immediately and have since caused “deep offence” among the Anglican Communion.

Last year, the consecration of the homosexual bishop was attended by fifty American bishops, which caused outrage among the traditionalist wing of the Church.

The Episcopal Church in America, which oversaw the ordination of Canon Robinson, was also mentioned by the Windsor Report, and was requested to “effect a moratorium” on the consecration of any more gay candidates until the fierce debate had been resolved.

A warning was given that a failure to do so could lead to an irrevocable split in the Anglican Church. The report warned, “There remains a very real danger that we will not choose to walk together. Should the call to halt and find ways of continuing in our present communion not be heeded, then we shall have to begin to learn to walk apart.”

The report also strongly suggested that those bishops who apologised should also further put into consideration whether they should withdraw from their representative roles within the Anglican Communion. The report specifically referred to the Episcopalian Church in the USA, and the new Westminster diocese in Canada, which both have permitted same-sex blessings.

The Windsor Report demanded an explanation from the Episcopal Church in America as to “how a person living in a same gender union may be considered eligible to lead the flock of Christ”.

It then went on to ask for this explanation to be backed by Biblical sources and not just as opinions of the liberal representatives.

However, the report also then went on to criticise those on the other extreme side of the division. The “demonising of homosexuality” was highly criticised, and the report made clear that, “Any demonising of homosexual persons, or their ill-treatment, is totally against Christian charity and basic principles of pastoral care."

Archbishop Eames laid down the Lambeth Commissions guidelines and views of the schism that has been appearing in the Church, and urged Anglican provinces everywhere, all around the world to support the Lambeth Commission’s resolution, which called for the reassessment of the churches “care for and attitude towards persons of homosexual orientation.”

Dr Eames described how since even as far back as the 1970’s, the controversies over human sexuality have been “divisive and destructive throughout Christendom.”

He described the election of Canon Robinson as Bishop, and the blessings of same-sex unions in Canada as uncovering “major divisions throughout the Anglican Communion.”

However, Dr Eames made clear throughout the report, which is sure to be debated fiercely among representatives on both sides of the Church, that “this Report is not a judgement. It is part of a process. It is part of a pilgrimage towards healing and reconciliation.”

For the full report please visit: Windsor Report 2004