[Lambeth Palace] The Archbishop
of Canterbury today wrote to all 37 Primates inviting them to attend a
special Primates’gathering in Canterbury to reflect and pray together
concerning the future of the Communion.
The meeting, to be held in January 2016, would be an opportunity for Primates to discuss key issues face to face, including a review of the structures of the Anglican Communion and to decide together their approach to the next Lambeth Conference.
The meeting, to be held in January 2016, would be an opportunity for Primates to discuss key issues face to face, including a review of the structures of the Anglican Communion and to decide together their approach to the next Lambeth Conference.
The agenda will be set by common agreement with all Primates
encouraged to send in contributions. It is likely to include the issues
of religiously-motivated violence, the protection of children and
vulnerable adults, the environment and human sexuality.
Archbishop Justin Welby said: “I have suggested to all Primates’ that
we need to consider recent developments but also look afresh at our
ways of working as a Communion and especially as Primates, paying proper
attention to developments in the past.
“Our way forward must respect the decisions of Lambeth 1998, and of
the various Anglican Consultative Council and Primates' meetings since
then. It must also be a way forward, guided by the absolute imperative
for the church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, to make disciples
and to worship and live in holiness, and recognising that the way in
which proclamation happens and the pressures on us vary greatly between
Provinces. We each live in a different context.
“The difference between our societies and cultures, as well as the
speed of cultural change in much of the global north, tempts us to
divide as Christians: when the command of scripture, the prayer of
Jesus, the tradition of the church and our theological understanding
urges unity. A 21st-century Anglican family must have space for deep
disagreement, and even mutual criticism, so long as we are faithful to
the revelation of Jesus Christ, together.
“We have no Anglican Pope. Our authority as a church is dispersed,
and is ultimately found in Scripture, properly interpreted. In that
light I long for us to meet together under the guidance of the Holy
Spirit and to seek to find a way of enabling ourselves to set a course
which permits us to focus on serving and loving each other, and above
all on the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ."
The proposed dates for the meeting are 11-16 January 2016.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will also extend an invitation to
Archbishop Foley or his representative to be present for part of the
time.
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