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From www.forwardinfaith.com FiF International News "Walk the Calvary Road" This Lambeth Conference will not debate or adopt any resolutions. But two of the bishops' regional groupings seem to have done just that. Earlier today, the bishops present from South Asia issued a five-point statement over the signatures of the Moderators of their churches. They bear witness to the Triune God and to the unity of His Church. They applaud the Archbishop of Canterbury's initiative in organizing the walk of witness "highlighting urgent issues of poverty, deprivation, exploitation and disease in the world" and demand speedy implementation of the Millenium Development goals, and call upon the Communion "to seriously take up this challenge", not least by "an equitable sharing of resources within the Communion". The South Asian bishops urge the Communion to stand in solidarity with "marginalized and oppressed minorities", working in particular for "equitable justice" for women, children, and dalits. "If one member suffers we all suffer", the bishops wrote, citing St. Paul: that truth needs to be "expressed in tangible terms through living and supportive relationships". The bishops wrote that they are "saddened and disturbed" by the "fractured nature" of the Communion today, primarily over issues of human sexuality. They said they "feel the pain of the absence of some bishops", acknowledged "the biblical norms on human sexuality, and urged that these be upheld within the Communion "for the effective witness of the Gospel". They expressed their desire that the fracture "may be resolved by a continuing process of listening and healing where we may be willing to forgive and accept one another generously and move towards true reconciliation". In conclusion, the bishops from South Asia invite the Communion "to do some soul-searching and walk the Calvary road so that our differences, self-justifications and arrogant attitudes may be crucified", and the power of the resurrection may transform our life together. The bishops note that they "represent nearly a quarter of the human race, practicing and living all the major faiths of the world". They speak of their "heritage of different church traditions", and of "the one common thread, connecting us all", the Anglican Communion. Commitment to the Anglican Communion The bishops "present from the CAPA family" spoke of their deep commitment to the Communion. But they also spoke of the absence of some of their colleagues "as a loud cry of deep anguish they feel about the deteriorating condition of the wounded Anglican Communion, a Communion they love very much", reflecting "the frustration about the wasted opportunities that would have otherwise set the Communion on the path of healing". Even those CAPA bishops who are here, they said, "share their concerns and feelings". The African bishops express their belief that "the best way forward to sustain our Anglican heritage" would involve reaffirming Lambeth 1998's resolution 1.10 and implementing it in its entirety. The bishops call for the adoption of the three moratoria and the swift formation of the Pastoral Forum as recommended by the Windsor Continuation Group "by the Archbishop of Canterbury in consultation with the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church USA".
The bishops conclude by expressing their hope that this Lambeth Conference will bear fruit in such a way as to "help us be a communion that can reveal to the world the truth of the Word of God". Ongoing Work The Conference offers no mechanism by which the gathered bishops can receive or respond to these statements. It would seem that any effect they may have will be on the ongoing work of the groups dealing respectively with the present crisis and creation of new structures to deal with ones which may arise, the Windsor Continuation Group and the Covenant Design Group. |
