August 1, 2008
It is hard to
imagine that in just two days we will be winging our way back over the
Atlantic, having been way for over a month from home. Home. Just the mere mention of the word transports my mind far from here. I miss my family, my house, my friends and my
summer cottage where God willing we will spend a couple of weeks in
August. Home. I sure hope someone has been cutting the
grass…
With two days left
in the conference, there is a realization among delegates that we have much
left to do and minds are focused on the task at hand. What will the final conference report
say? The Indaba groups have been
supported by a person who has been recording our words on a laptop, while a
second person, our “designated listener”, has been taking close notes. This Lambeth has a different feel, process
and flow from previous patterns - so I am told. Told, because the majority of
bishops are attending their first Lambeth but the veterans tell us what it was
like in the past. We have not met in
sessions where strong debate leads to resolutions on the floor and a
chairperson figures out what to do with the motion, the amendment and the
amendment to the amendment!!
Rather, in groups
of 40 we have listened, spoken, prayed and recorded through two separate people
our thoughts and feelings. Then
overnight all that information is distilled and each Indaba group receives a
copy the next day of their thoughts while a writing group compiles an overall
draft of what has been said and reports that to the conference as a whole
meeting in plenary. The volunteers have
done an enormous job compiling the material into a form in which most of us can
recognize our voice. Today, we continue
the reflections on the issues dividing us. Most issues, I have learned, unite us. There is common cause in the issues of poverty, injustice, HIV/AIDS,
water, gender inequality, peace, eradication of disease and access to education
among many others. But the thorny issues
of human sexuality, authority, and the understanding of Holy Scripture do not
gather a common mind. We are hearing
each other but in my view we are far apart.
On the one hand
that is nothing new, in a church which was born as a compromise created in the
Elizabethan Settlement, which confesses the ancient creeds - which themselves
were the result of controversy - and whose history has been marked by strong
division tempered by a unique ability to find the middle ground. I am hopeful but not overly optimistic that
the common way forward will be achieved. However, I am confident that the Holy Spirit is at work transforming
each of us and generally those who chose to gather here are working hard at
keeping our beloved fractured church and communion together.
Later today we
will receive the fourth draft of the document (whose title I do not yet know)
that will be issued to the church at the conclusion. The seriousness of the conversations in which
we are engaged is not lost on any of the Bishops. Two words, which have great currency here at
Lambeth, are context and culture. That
is where much of our diversity is rooted. For instance, the March, “the Walk for Witness” the bishops participated
in last week in London would simply not have been possible in many other
countries. Criticizing government
leaders in a public manner as we did in London would not be tolerated in some
countries. In reality most of the
bishops here will not return home for a few weeks respite at a summer
cottage. In some countries the topic of
human sexuality is freely (indeed excessively) debated while in others “these
things are not spoken of.” Context and
culture. We have been privileged, each
of us, to gain a more intimate understanding of the church its culture and
context in other parts of the world.
Everyone here
understands Holy Scripture as central to the Anglican expression of the faith
and seeks to be faithful to the Scriptures but the interpretation of our common
sacred text varies widely as we each seek to read scripture in a way consistent
with our received tradition. Are both
positions, apparently so different on human sexuality, authority and scripture
correct? Could it be both are
right? Are compromises possible, while
maintaining the inherent integrity of each position?
The next 48 hours
will help us understand more clearly the shape and immediate future of our
Communion. With prayer and deep humility
in the Lord the way forward will become clearer. The Compass Rose Society, which many here
speak of as a unifying force in the communion, has had a strong presence. Many bishops are inviting us to visit them
and to enter into partnerships. I have
had numerous conversations with bishops seeking to make common cause with
us. I am grateful to Norris Battin for
his yeoman service at our booth, to Bob Biehl for assisting in staffing the
booth and to Sarah Buxton-Smith for helping out. Bishop Clive Handford (chair) and Board
member Victoria Matthews, both on the Windsor Continuation Group, will give the
annual meeting of the CRS in November an update on where things stand. I am grateful to them both for accepting my
invitation to speak to us.
This is a critical
day for the conference and I ask for your prayers, as it unfolds, that God’s
direction will be made clear. This
morning’s bible study will center on John 18 1-18 - “For whom are you
looking….?” In some way that could be
the title of the Conference.
Stay tuned.
+Philip Poole
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