"The following is the first of two lectures Archbishop Eames delivered last summer [2005] at the Virginia Theological Seminary's convocation. It is published here with permission".
"It is debatable if the Anglican Communion has faced a more searching period, more public scrutiny and more transparent heart-searching than in the past two years". "Has the Anglican obsession with sexuality been merely the tip of an iceberg hiding other deeper issues, which will ultimately dictate the future of the Anglican Communion ?" "With few exceptions the Anglican north and west began to recognize the extent of internal diversity which had existed long before the name of Gene Robinson became known internationally". Archbishop Eames goes on to discuss what are commonly known as "the bonds of affection" and the pressures on them including the legacy of colonialism; the development of autonomous provinces and the fact of inculturation in different societies; the Anglican avoidance of a central authority akin to the central curia of Rome; and tensions not just between provinces but also within provinces, dioceses and even parishes. "Such questioning brings me to another and perhaps more controversial issue. Is the real question about authority rather than sexuality ? Not just authority in terms of the authority of interpretation of Holy Scripture, but authority to be in communion among diverse and autonomous Provinces ...". The author's involvement in the Lambeth Commission demonstrated evidence that "cultural development across our Communion had become an equal if not a dominant ingredient within the bonds of affection. In saying that I need to be aware that conservative Anglicanism resents any argument that places cultural difference above questions of theological principle. .... Am I alone in thinking that at the root of those clashes [between conservative a liberal argument], irrespective of our personal allegiances or preferences, lies the failure of succeeding generations of Anglicans to accept that there are parameters to divergence in scriptural interpretation, there are boundaries to ecclesiological autonomy and there are limitations to what a world family of vague technical relationships can endure and still remain a cohesive entity." He considers the possible dilemmas "associated with what could be called `the practical working of communion'" and especially the potential effects on Anglican organizations that span provinces e.g. the Missionary Societies and the Mothers Union. "The impressions of the Anglican Communion I gained in the preparation of the Windsor Report are dominated by one word -- pain". He offers, from his personal experience, one possible solution for the Commission -- the concept of reconciliation, which he defines and outlines as a process. "Is it just possible that future generations will look at this [current] time not just as a negative era for Anglicanism but rather as an inevitable sign of growth, a sign of maturity even in the history of a most diverse world Christian family ?" "I have tried to point out some of the consequences of an international Church body in which aspiration to bonds is more visible than application to their realities. As far back as 1920 the Lambeth Conference concluded: `The Churches represented in (the Communion) are indeed independent, but independent with the Christian freedom which recognises the restraints of truth and love. They are not free to deny the truth. They are not free to ignore the fellowship'. The Windsor Report took this question and commented: `This means that any development needs to be explored for its resonance with the truth, and with the utmost charity on the part of all -- charity that grants that a new thing can be offered humbly and with integrity, and charity that might refrain from an action which might harm a sister or brother'."
A personal tribute to retiring Primate, Michael Peers, by the Most Rev. Robin Eames, Primate of Ireland with whom Michael worked closely in their shared time as Anglican primates. Archbishop Eames praises Michael particularly for his gifts as a leader. "Even among those primates who would not always have shared his opinion, there is a deep regard for his well-reasoned views and willingness to listen to their views in return". "Anglicanism faces many divisive issues at present. Confronted with widespread criticism over developments on same-sex blessings at meetings of primates, Michael's patient but determined explanations of the Canadian scene have been offered in a manner that has further increased my admiration for his leadership". "Canada has had a wonderful ambassador and leader in Michael Peers. His contribution to the thinking and policy of the Communion has been immense. I know that I am going to miss him greatly at that level".
At head of cover title: Anglican Consultative Council X, Panama City".
"Published for the Anglican Communion by Morehouse Publishing".
"This report captures the essence of the multi-faceted, multicultural Anglican Communion through the sermons, hearings, reports, and resolutions from the 10th Meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council held in Panama City in October 1996. There the Council wrestled with the key issues that must be addressed by the Anglican Communion as it faces the challenges of mission, human sexuality, fundamentalism, Islam, crises, morality, evangelism, liturgy, ecumenical relations, and structure in the twenty-first century. Includes the complete text of 'The Virginia Report' on church structure, 'The Dublin Report' on liturgy, and an address by the Archbishop of Canterbury that discusses the possibility of an Anglican Congress in the near future and the topics set for the 1998 Lambeth Conference". -- back cover.
Contains NO index although listed in Table of Contents.
Contents: Acknowledgements -- Member Churches of the Anglican Consultative Council -- Preface / Richard Harries -- Introduction / James M. Rosenthal -- Sermons and Addresses -- Sermon at the Opening Eucharist / Samir Kafity -- "Looking to the Future": Presidential Address / George Carey -- Opening Remarks / Colin Craston -- Opening Remarks / Simon Chiwanga -- Address / John L. Peterson -- Sermon at the Gimnasio Nuevo / George Carey -- Sermon at the Closing Eucharist / Colin Craston -- The Hearings -- On Plans for the Millennium in Bethlehem / John L. Peterson -- On Jerusalem / Samir Kafity -- On Human Sexuality / Richard Harries -- On Islam / Alexander Malik -- The Reports -- Address on The Virginia Report / Robin Eames -- On Mission: The First Report from Missio / Roger Chung Po Chuen -- On Mission: Report on the Mid-Point of the Decade of Evangelism / Cyril Okorocha -- On Guidelines for Membership by New Provinces / John Rees -- On Liturgy / Paul Gibson -- On Ecumenical Affairs / Donald Anderson -- On Communications / James Rosenthal -- On the United Nations / James Ottley -- On Rwanda / David Birney -- Section Reports -- Section 1: Looking to the Future in Worship -- Section 2: Looking to the Future in Ministry -- Section 3: Looking to the Future in Relating to Society -- Section 4: Looking to the Future in Communicating Our Belief in God -- The Resolutions of the Conference -- General Business -- Officers and members of the ACC Participants and Staff at ACC-10 -- Budget for the ACC -- Appendices -- The Virginia Report -- Renewing the Anglican Eucharist: The Dublin Report -- Statement of the Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem November 1994 -- The Porvoo Declaration -- WCC Petition on Climate Change -- A Final Thought / The Editors..
"In 1988 the Lambeth conference resolved that there should be 'as a matter of urgency further exploration of the meaning and nature of communion with particular reference to the doctrine of the Trinity, the unity and order of the church, and the unity and community of humanity'. At the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury, a group of church leaders and theologians, widely representative of the Communion, met in December 1991 at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.A. to respond to the resolution and begin this exploration". -- Preface, p. [3].
Convenor: The Most Rev. Robert A. Eames, Primate of Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh. Secretary: The Rev. Dr. Donald W. Anderson, Anglican Communion Office. -- p. [27-28].
Contents: Preface -- Interdependence To-day ? -- Bonds of Interdependence To-day -- Revitalizing Interdependence -- Toward Fuller Interdependence -- Appendix A: Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Consultation, Virginia Seminary, Alexandria, USA, 8-18 December 1991: Participants.
This report "Belonging Together" from the December 1991 consultation "was circulated widely within the Communion between 1992 and 1994 with a request for critical comment. A number of Anglican member churches responded officially. There were also responses from theological institutions and individuals. All the responses were considered by the Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Commission, the successor of the 1991 Consultation, when it met in 1994 and again in 1996, on both occasions at the Virginia Theological Seminary. This report [i.e. the Virginia Report] is the product of its consideration and further reflection on the issues" -- Intro., p. 20 to the Virginia Report in "The Official Report of the Lambeth Conference 1998". (BX 5021 L3 1998)
OTCH second copy appears identical to copy one but lacks publishing imprint on inside front cover and with addition of document number on front cover: PACC93\ I \ 002.
"[E]dited by Geoff Pearson, Vicar of St. Bartholomew's Church, Roby, Liverpool and Philip Johanson, Chief Secretary of the Church Army, Convenor of the Church Army and Grove Evangelism Group".
Contents: Introduction by the Editors -- A Parish Dream / Geoff Pearson -- The Hopes and Fears of Lay People / Jon and Betty Chaplin -- A Vision for the Deanery/ John Roberts -- The Plan of a Bishop / Michael Turnbull -- The Role of a Primate / Robin Eames.
"Chairman: The Most Reverend Robert Eames, Primate of All Ireland".
"Published for the Anglican Consultative Council".
"Copyright 1994 The Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council". -- verso of t.-p.
[Reports One to Three.]
"Now in one volume, all the reports of the Archbishop of Canterbury's commission [first, second and third] are offered here in their historical sequence. Called the Eames Commission after the chairman, Archbishop Robert Eames of Ireland, the commission met five times from 1988 until 1993. Its work is now complete." -- back cover.
Contents: From the Archbishop of Canterbury / George Cantuar i.e. Carey, Archbishop of Canterbury -- Origins of the Commission -- Members of the Commission -- THE FIRST REPORT: First and Second Meetings: November 1988 and March 1989 -- THE SECOND REPORT -- THE THIRD REPORT -- Appendices.
Contents of THE FIRST REPORT section: I. Introduction -- I. Koinonia and the Mystery of God -- II. Koinonia and the Anglican Communion -- III. Koinonia and Women and the Episcopate -- IV. Koinonia and Pastoral Guidelines.
Contents of THE SECOND REPORT section: Third Meeting: October 1989 -- I. Introduction -- II. Response to the Main Report by the Primates of the Anglican Communion -- III. Responses from the Provinces -- IV. The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) -- V. Ecumenical Evidence -- VI. Clarifications -- VII. Recommendations for Further Study by an Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Commission -- VIII. Conclusion -- Fourth Meeting: March 1990 -- I. Introduction -- II. Koinonia and Reception -- III. The Diocese -- IV. Provincial Collegiality -- V. Interchangeability of Ministries -- VI. Canonical Form and Intention -- VII. Visits.
Contents of THE THIRD REPORT section: Fifth Meeting: December 1993 -- I. Introduction -- II. Authority -- III. Reception -- IV. Pastoral Guidelines.
Contents of Appendices: I: Ecumenical Evidence -- II. Response to the Report by the Primates of the Anglican Communion -- III. Joint Meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion and the Anglican Consultative Council, January 1993 -- IV. Letter to His Holiness Pope John Paul II and Response -- Other Books on the Anglican Communion from the Anglican Book Centre.
OTCH Note: Photograph of Anglican Church of Canada Bishop Victoria Matthews on page 26 with caption "Canada's first woman bishop - Victoria Matthews".
Commission chaired by Robert Eames, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan.
Contents: Introduction -- Origins of the Commission -- Meetings and Presentations -- Members of the Commission -- I. Koinonia and the Mystery of God -- II. Koinonia and the Anglican Communion -- III. Koinonia and Women and the Episcopate -- IV. Koinonia and Pastoral Guidelines -- Appendix: Ecumenical evidence.
"Appendix: Ecumenical evidence" includes exchange of correspondence between Archbishop Runcie and Pope John Paul II on question of ordination of women and its effect on relations between the two churches.
"Chairman: The Most Reverend Robert Eames, Primate of All Ireland."
"Report copyright The Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council, 1989". -- verso of t.-p.
"Th[is] edition by Church House Publishing, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3NZ". -- verso of t.-p.
Contents: Members of the Commission -- Origins of the Commission -- Meetings and Presentations -- Introduction -- I. Koinonia and the Mystery of God -- II. Koinonia and the Anglican Communion -- III. Koinonia and Women and the Episcopate -- IV. Koinonia and Pastoral Guidelines -- Appendix: Ecumenical evidence -- Response to the Report of the Archbishop of Canterbury's Commission on Communion and Women in the Episcopate by the Primates of the Anglican Communion [dated Larnaca [Cyprus], 28 April 1989.
"Ecumenical evidence" Appendix includes exchange of correspondence between Archbishop Robert Runcie [6 August 1988] and Pope John Paul II [8 December 1988] on the question of the ordination of women and its effect on relations between the two churches.
"Chairman: The Most Reverend Robert Eames, Primate of All Ireland".
Published 1990 for the Anglican Consultative Council ... copyright The Secretary General of the Anglican Consultative Council". -- verso of t.-p.
"This edition by Church House Publishing, Church House, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3NZ". -- verso of t.-p.
"The main report with the same title, published in May 1989 is available separately (ISBN 0 7151 47854)". -- verso of t.-p.
Contents: I. Third Meeting, October 1989 -- II. Fourth Meeting, March 1990 -- Appendix 1: Origins of the Commission -- Appendix 2: Members of the Commission.
"The Virginia Report : the report of the Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Commission : Lambeth Conference, 1998, July 18 - August 9, Lambeth Palace, Canterbury, England". -- CIP, verso of t.-p.
The official report of the 1998 Lambeth Conference is here "being supplemented by this group of Study Booklets designed for local use. Here for the first time are the Reports of the four Sections of the Conference, together with the `Virginia Report', the Inter-Faith Report and the Resolutions. Each of these six Reports is followed by a set of questions, and it is suggested that they would form a suitable programme of study for Lent". -- Preface to other booklet in series.
At head of cover title: Lambeth 1998.
This report responds "to the call of the Lambeth Conference of 1988 to consider in some depth the meaning and nature of communion. This response was to be set within the context of the doctrine of the Trinity, the unity and order of the Church and the unity and community of humanity. .... This Report is offered to the Anglican Communion as one more step in the process of seeking greater understanding of what communion means to the Body of Christ. In particular it seeks to suggest ways in which our Communion can respond in practical ways which touch and concern how we order our corporate life and lives as individuals". -- Preface.
Contents: The Lambeth Call to Prayer -- Preface / Robert Eames, Archbishop of Armagh -- Members of the Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Commission -- Introduction: Origin and Mandate of the Commission -- The Context -- Theology of God's Gracious Gift: the Communion of the Trinity and the Church -- Belonging Together in the Anglican Communion -- Levels of Communion: Subsidiarity and Interdependence -- Koinonia: Purpose and Principles for Developing Structures -- The Worldwide Instruments of Communion: Structures and Processes -- Appendix I: Lambeth Conference 1988 Resolution 18 -- Appendix II: An Anglican Congress -- Resolutions Relevant to the Virginia Report -- Study Questions.