Lambeth Conference affirms 'diversity of views' on sexuality, marriage
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/article44172
- Author
- Puddister, Matthew
- Frankling, Sean
- Folkins, Tali
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Anglican Journal
- Date
- 2022 September
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Anglican Journal
- Date
- 2022 September
- Volume
- 148
- Issue
- 7
- Page
- 1, 6
- Notes
- "A highly anticipated statement from the Lambeth Conference on same-sex marriage acknowledged that the Anglican Communion remains divided on the issue, and did not come out in support of one side or another. The fifteenth Lambeth Conference, which saw about 650 bishops, from across the Anglican Communion gather for meetings in Canterbury, U.K. hosted by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, was held this summer from July 26 to Aug. 8 [2022]. The conference's statement of 'call' on human dignity, which included affirmations on human sexuality, was one of 10 Lambeth calls on different topics that structured conversations at the conference" (p. 1).
- "'Many Provinces continue to affirm that same gender marriage is not possible', the call states. 'Lambeth Resolution I.10 (1998) states that the "legitimizing or blessing of same sex unions" cannot be advised. Other Provinces have blessed and welcomed same sex union/marriage after careful theological reflection and a process of reception. As Bishops we remain committed to listening and walking together to the maximum possible degree, despite our deep disagreement on these issues" (p. 6)
- "In opening remarks August 2 [2022] ... [Archbishop Justin] Welby acknowledged differences of opinion on human sexuality across the communion and asked bishops not to 'treat each other lightly or carelessly'" (p. 6). Welby "called attendees to focus on issues such as climate change, rapid technological advancement and the inequality they promote between the rich and the increasingly disenfranchised poor. Welby also told the assembled bishops of his recent visit to Canada and the tour he took to meet with survivors of and apologize for the residential schools run by the Church of England [sic, in Canada] on behalf of the Canadian government" (p. 6).
- "Organizers adopted the calls process, as opposed to voting on resolutions, in recognition of the fact that neither the Lambeth Conference nor Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has any authority over the 42 autonomous provinces that make up the global Anglican Communion. The other nine calls are mission and evangelism, safe church, Anglican identity, reconciliation, environment and sustainable development, Christian unity, inter faith relations, discipleship, and science and faith" (p. 6).
- "[S]ome bishops, including many in the Anglican Church of Canada, protested after it became known, in 2019, that the spouses of same-sex unions -- unlike those in heterosexual unions -- would not be invited to attend. Among the communion's bishops in same-sex unions is Kevin Robertson, regional bishop of York-Scarborough in the diocese of Toronto. In an interview with the 'Journal' days before the conference, Robertson said his husband, Mohan Sharma, was accompanying him anyway" (p. 6).
- "Disagreement and division over sexuality continued to surface at the conference itself. On Aug. 2 [2022], bishops of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches, an orthodox group claiming to stand for 75 per cent of the world's Anglicans, issued their own call, this one explicitly re-affirming the 1998 resolution. The group also encouraged conservative bishops at the conference not to take Communion at the gathering's two Eucharist services. On the same day, another group of bishops, including Archbishop Linda Nicholls, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, released a statement affirming their support for full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the church" (p. 6).
- Article includes numerous colour photographs including one on page 6 with caption: "Geoffrey Woodcroft, bishop of the diocese of Rupert's Land and Anglican Indigenous Bishop of Missinippi Adam Halkett arrive at Lambeth Palace for a day-long session on environment and sustainable development Aug. 3 [2022]".
- Subjects
- Lambeth Conference, 2022
- Lambeth calls (2022)
- Same sex unions - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Gay marriage - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Homosexuality - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Lambeth Conference, 1998 - Resolutions
- Welby, Justin (Justin Portal), 1956-
- Anglican Communion - Parties and movements - 21st century
- Conflict management - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Robertson, Kevin T., 1971-
- Sharma, Mohan
- Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches
- Nicholls, Linda (Linda Carol), 1954-
- Woodcroft, Geoffrey (Geoffrey John), 1961-
- Halkett, Adam S. (Adam Samson), 1954-