Date

1977 November 2 - 4

Source

House of Bishops. Minutes

Type

Resolution

Mover

Bishop Garnsworthy

Seconder

Bishop Gartrell

Prologue

It was recognized that, in the opinion of the Archbishop of Canterbury, there are two main foci for the Lambeth agenda:

- The Exercise of Episcope

- Episcope in a Synodical Church

Concerns which may be raised at the Lambeth Conference were identified as follows:

- Ordination of Women to the Priesthood

- U.S.A. Dissident Church - St. Louis Developments

- Changing Shape of the Anglican Communion

- Persecution and Politics, e.g., Colin Winter

- Future Lambeth Gathering outside England

- African Church

- Process of Lambeth

- Theology of Politics and Economics

- Charismatic Movement

- An Acceptable Rite for recognition or non-episcopal ministries

- Relations with the Press

Text of motion

"That a skilled person be present at the January meeting to aid in the continuing designing of the Lambeth Conference." CARRIED

Notes

Bishop Valentine, who had been requested to provide introductory and explanatory material regarding the above motion submitted the following which was accepted by the House with deep appreciation.

"The Canadian House of Bishops has heard, with joy and anticipation, of the plans outlined for Lambeth 1978. In particular, we look forward to the new possibilities of learning, mutuality and spiritual growth, which the substantial changes in style and format will allow. We have ourselves enjoyed, in some measure, the benefits of living together as a House in residential situations, with daily opportunity not only for working sessions but also for worship, prayer and Bible study, and for informal conversation and personal friendship.

We think it of the highest importance that these opportunities, afforded by a "new-style Lambeth", should be genuinely subsumed, not only in the agenda of the Conference but also in the design of the sessions to deal with it. We believe that the warmth and fellowship in community which will be fostered by the experiences can be, and indeed must be, expressed in flexible and creative processing in the meetings.

It is essential, we feel, that the expectations brought by all of us to Lambeth and the spontaneous sharings which the new shape will enable for us, should emerge, not as a source of frustration and even disintegration, but as a dynamic of new growth and richer unities. There are people, we understand, with particular skills in this matching of form and content. We would recommend that such resources be consulted both in the strategic designing of Lambeth and in the day-by-day tactics of tits arrangements.

We reiterate our joy in the vision that has been offered and stand ready, as always, to give support in every way that we can."

Subjects

Lambeth Conference, 1978

Lambeth Conference

Meetings - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada

Anglican Communion - Bishops - Meetings

Less detail