The Anglican Communion : A Growing Reality
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/article33732
- Author
- Eames, Robin (Robert Henry Alexander), 1937-
- Journal
- Ministry Matters
- Date
- 2006 Winter
- Journal
- Ministry Matters
- Date
- 2006 Winter
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 1
- Page
- 9-13
- Notes
- "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'."
- Subjects
- Anglican Communion - 21st century
- Homosexuality - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Anglican Communion - Structure
- Anglican Communion - Provinces
- Anglican Communion - Parties and movements
- Authority - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Christianity and culture - Anglican Communion
- Windsor Report
- Reconciliation - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion