Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops postponed to 2021

From ENS-

The once-a-decade gathering of the bishops of the Anglican Communion, which was to be held in Canterbury, Kent, in July and August this year, has been rescheduled for 2021 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision was taken today by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby following consultation with a range of stakeholders, including the trustees of the Lambeth Conference Company, the charitable organization which runs the conference on behalf of the archbishop of Canterbury. In recent weeks the Lambeth Conference organizing teams have been prayerfully thinking through the impact of coronavirus pandemic on the plans and preparations for this important event. Welby has consulted a number of key players, including his fellow primates – the leaders of the 40 autonomous churches of the Anglican Communion.

In a video message, the Welby, said: “The place of a bishop at a time of difficulty is a place of a shepherd when the wolf is attacking the flock. It is to be with them. To be alongside them. To love them. To suffer with them.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2020/03/23/lambeth-conference-of-anglican-bishops-postponed-to-2021/

ACK clergy boycott UK forum over presence of gay leaders

From Kenya-

Some Anglican clergy from Kenya have boycotted the Lambeth Conference in the UK protesting the presence of gay senior church leaders.

Anglican Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit says the Church is opposed to homosexuality.

“We are having the Lambeth Conference in the West this year, but some of us have boycotted because of the invitation of practising gay bishops. We can’t be mixed,” he told worshippers yesterday during the consecration of Kerugoya St Thomas Anglican Cathedral in Kirinyaga County.

DISCUSS ISSUES

The conference is usually held after 10 years to discuss theological and social issues that affect the Anglican communion worldwide.

More here-

https://www.nation.co.ke/news/ACK-clergy-boycott-UK-forum-over-gay-leaders/1056-5449996-oujyikz/index.html

Anglican bishops soften stance on Lambeth Conference

From Kenya-

The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has softened its position on the forthcoming Lambeth Conference, allowing bishops who wish to attend the once-in-a-decade gathering to do so in their individual capacities instead of a total boycott.

However, Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit says the bishops will be doing so because of the “historic nature of the gathering” and “for exposure”.

The bishops who attend the conference will carry with them the church’s memorandum stating ACK’s position especially with regard to the ordination of gay ministers. Archbishop Sapit is among those who will not be attending the conference.

More here-

https://www.nation.co.ke/news/Anglican-bishops-soften-stance-on-Lambeth-Conference/1056-5431944-jfvxov/index.html

‘Grown-up’ Primates’ Meeting affirms Anglican links with Canterbury

From The Church Times-

AT THE Lambeth Conference this year, bishops will “draw a line under some of the inward-looking approach of the past”, the Archbishop of Canterbury predicted this week at the close of the Primates’ Meeting in Jordan. Primates praised the “mature” and “grown-up” discussions at this week’s meeting.

Primates from 33 of the 40 Provinces were present. Three — those of Nigeria, Rwanda, and Uganda — chose not to attend, while others were detained by illness or other difficulties. Just one woman was present: the new Canadian Primate, the Most Revd Linda Nicholls.

“We were acutely aware of the ongoing tensions within the Anglican Communion,” the Primates said in a communiqué issued on Wednesday afternoon. “However, we were also profoundly conscious of the Holy Spirit in our midst, drawing us to walk together.”

At a press conference on Wednesday, held before the communiqué was released, Archbishop Welby said that the formation of new Churches that claim an Anglican identity, including the latest, the Church of Confessing Anglicans in New Zealand (News, 25 October 2019), had not been discussed. There had been no desire to discuss “those negative aspects”, he said.

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2020/17-january/news/world/grown-up-primates-meeting-affirms-anglican-links-with-canterbury

Anglican Primates gather in Jordan for “very strategic meeting” ahead of Lambeth Conference

From ACNS-

The leaders of 36 of the Anglican Communion’s 40 member churches will gather in the Middle East next week for what has been described as “a very strategic meeting.” The chief pastors of the Communion – the senior archbishops, moderators and presiding bishops of the Anglican provinces – will meet from Monday 13 January to Wednesday 15 January in formal session. A preliminary meeting will be held on Sunday 12 January for new Primates, elected or appointed to their position since the previous Primates’ Meeting in October 2017.
 
On Thursday 16 January, the primates will take part in separate pilgrimages, beginning together at the site of Jesus’ baptism with a Eucharist and reaffirmation of baptism vows, before one group heads to Salt and Mount Nebo while another crosses to the west bank of the River Jordan for visits to Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

The Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Suheil Dawani, is hosting the meeting in his diocese which includes Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

More here-

https://www.anglicannews.org/features/2020/01/anglican-primates-gather-in-jordan-for-very-strategic-meeting-ahead-of-lambeth-conference.aspx?fbclid=IwAR1wXPGsUNoGDGlpAdkhub58PW-Jecg_YkgKPfWBUCL_Nm4PIk5m1k32r8M

Bishops step up preparations for Lambeth Conference amid anxiety over spousal invitations

From ENS-

Diocese of New York Assistant Bishop Mary Glasspool left no ambiguity about her plans to attend the Lambeth Conference 2020. She is going, even if her wife was specifically denied an invitation.
“The Diocese of New York needs to be represented. We need to be at the table,” Glasspool said Sept. 19 during an informal group discussion about Lambeth during the House of Bishops’ fall meeting.

The question of whether to go to Lambeth or to stay home has fueled anxiety this week among some of the Episcopal bishops and spouses gathered at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel in downtown Minneapolis. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s decision to exclude spouses of gay and lesbian bishops from next year’s Lambeth Conference sparked an uproar within The Episcopal Church and in some other corners of the Anglican Communion.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/09/19/bishops-step-up-preparations-for-lambeth-conference-amid-anxiety-over-spousal-invitations/

House of Bishop opens fall meeting with discussions of same-sex spouse exclusion from Lambeth 2020

From ENS-

The Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops gathered here on Sept. 17 to begin a four-day meeting where the question of the Lambeth Conference 2020 loomed from the outset, both as a point of punctuation in Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s opening sermon and as the scheduled topic of discussion for the first afternoon.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, in calling all bishops in the Anglican Communion to attend the Lambeth Conference next summer, chose to invite gay and lesbian bishops but not their spouses, a plan he saw as a way to balance the divisions in the communion but one that drew criticism, including from within The Episcopal Church. By the time Lambeth starts on July 22, The Episcopal Church will have at least three bishops with same-sex spouses.

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/09/17/house-of-bishop-opens-fall-meeting-with-discussions-of-same-sex-spouse-exclusion-from-lambeth-2020/

No decision on Justin Welby's attendance at GAFCON conference

From Premier-

The Church of England's representative in Parliament says no decision has been made about whether the Archbishop of Canterbury will attend the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Kigali, Rwanda next year.

The event is seen as a rival gathering to the Lambeth Conference which Justin Welby will host next year.

While all Anglican bishops have been invited to the Lambeth Conference on 27th July - 1st August 2020, some have suggested they won't attend in protest at what they perceive as a move towards a more liberal position on sexuality within the Anglican Communion.

In a statement announcing the GAFCON event, leaders said: "On the one hand, we have no interest in attempting to rival Lambeth 2020. On the other hand, we do not want our bishops to be deprived of faithful fellowship while we wait for order in the Communion to be restored.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/No-decision-on-Justin-Welby-s-attendance-at-GAFCON-conference

Anglican same sex marriage debate

From La Croix-

Bishops at the Lambeth Conference in 1930 defined the Anglican Communion as “as a fellowship of churches, provinces and dioceses in communion with the See of Canterbury.” (Photo courtesy of Anglican Communication News Service).

There have been appeals to Anglicans around the world to accept a need for frank and open discussion on the divisive issue of same-sex marriage at the 2020 ten-yearly 'Lambeth Conference.'
This Anglican Communion gathering was first held in 1867.

The Anglican Communion is a consultative and collaborative international association of autonomous national and regional churches with 80 million members rather than a governing body.

In 1998, the 13th Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops passed a resolution stating that "homosexual acts" are "incompatible with Scripture".

More here-

https://international.la-croix.com/news/anglican-same-sex-marriage-debate/10465

Evangelical bishops call for humility and unity ahead of Lambeth 2020

From Christian Today-

Evangelical bishops have issued an appeal for humility and unity ahead of a major conference next year that has laid bare divisions between liberals and traditionalists in the Anglican Communion.

In a letter, published on the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas' website, the bishops write that it is an "acceptable time" to articulate their vision of Lambeth 2020, a gathering of bishops in the Anglican Communion taking place in Canterbury, Kent, next year.

The Lambeth Conference takes place around once every 10 years but some orthodox bishops have revealed plans to boycott the meeting because of differences over homosexuality.

The evangelical bishops in their letter plead with their fellow bishops to refrain from "harsh disagreement" and see each other "in the best light possible" in spite of their differences.

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/evangelical-bishops-call-for-humility-and-unity-ahead-of-lambeth-2020/132711.htm

Citing inclusion of LGBT clerics, Anglican bishops in Africa to shun Lambeth Conference

From NCR-

As disputes over homosexuality continue to stir within the worldwide Anglican Communion, conservative African bishops say they will boycott a decennial gathering of top clerics next summer unless what the Africans consider godly order is restored.

After delaying the Lambeth Conference, normally held once a decade, for two years, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the global leader of Anglicanism, has invited all active bishops and their spouses to the United Kingdom in July and August of 2020 — except the spouses of bishops who are in same-sex unions.

But the African bishops object to the invitation of bishops in the communion who are in same-sex unions. Those bishops' presence, the Africans say, constitutes an endorsement of homosexuality, which they reject as contrary to the Scriptures.

More here-

 https://www.ncronline.org/news/world/citing-inclusion-lgbt-clerics-anglican-bishops-africa-shun-lambeth-conference

Next Lambeth Conference — and its rival

From The Church Times-

THE Lambeth Conference next year will be bigger and shorter than before — but possibly no less contentious, it emerged this week.

On almost the same day that the CEO of the Lambeth Conference, Phil George, was giving details of Lambeth 2020 to members of the Anglican Consultative Council, the Primates belonging to GAFCON, a conservative grouping formed in 2008 in protest at liberal moves on sexuality, were formulating an alternative gathering.

The 2020 Lambeth Conference will begin with a seven-day hospitality initiative, Mr George said. Every bishop and his or her spouse will visit churches around England and Wales. They will travel to Canterbury on Wednesday 22 July, and Thursday and Friday will be spent in retreat. There will be a separate retreat for spouses.

The two Sundays will centre on opening and closing services in Canterbury Cathedral. Thus the conference proper will last only from Monday 27 July to Saturday 1 August, including a London day. Bible studies will focus on the text of 1 Peter.

More here-

https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2019/10-may/news/world/next-lambeth-conference-and-its-rival

Gafcon calls alternative conference of worldwide Anglican bishops

From Christian Today-

The global network emerging as an alternative to the Anglican Communion has called a conference open to all orthodox bishops around the world.

In a new statement today, Gafcon (the Global Anglican Futures Conference) announced the gathering, which will be held next June – just a few weeks before the Archbishop of Canterbury's own Lambeth Conference of worldwide bishops.

The declaration also indicates that the organisation is moving towards a traditionalist position on episcopal ministry by being inclined towards reserving the role of bishop for men.

In relation to Justin Welby's Lambeth Conference, the communique, from Gafcon's Council of Primates, says: "We have no interest in attempting to rival Lambeth 2020.

"On the other hand, we do not want our bishops to be deprived of faithful fellowship while we wait for order in the Communion to be restored.

More here-

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/gafcon-calls-alternative-conference-of-worldwide-anglican-bishops/132367.htm

GAFCON confirms they will boycott Lambeth conference of bishops

From Premier-

A conservative evangelical wing of the Anglican communion, GAFCON, has confirmed that their representatives will not attend the global meeting of Anglican bishops in a year's time. 

Anglicans on both sides of the debate about sexuality within the church are unhappy with plans for the Lambeth Conference in 2020, with some, including the Bishop of Liverpool, Rt Rev Paul Bayes, saying their partners will not come, in protest at same-sex bishops not being allowed to bring their partners. 

Current Church of England doctrine states that clergy cannot conduct a same-sex wedding and the rules on whether clergy can marry a same-sex partner varies in different countries, with the Episcopal Church in the US allowing same-sex marriage since 2015, but in England only civil partnerships are allowed, on the assumption that they remain celibate, and marriage is not. 

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/World/GAFCON-confirms-they-will-boycott-Lambeth-conference-of-bishops

Welby: British law prevents ACC from debating his decision to exclude same-sex spouses from Lambeth

From ENS-

The members of the Anglican Consultative Council, meeting here April 28-May 5, cannot formally discuss Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s decision to exclude the same-sex spouses of bishops invited to the 2020 Lambeth Conference.

Welby  told a news conference on April 27, in response to a question from Episcopal News Service, that the ACC is the only one of the Anglican Communion’s Instruments of Communion that is governed by British law. It is incorporated as “an English company with a charitable aim.” Via the ACC constitution, the trustees “very clearly specify what it can and cannot do,” he said.
“Doctrine is not one of the issues that it does,” Welby said of the council.

The ACC’s “object,” according to its constitution, is to “advance the Christian religion and in particular to promote the unity and purposes of the Churches of the Anglican Communion, in mission, evangelism, ecumenical relations, communication, administration and finance.” The constitution lists 30 specific powers of the ACC after making the general statement that “the council has the power to do anything which is calculated to further its Object(s) or is conducive or incidental to doing so.”

More here-

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2019/04/27/welby-british-law-prevents-acc-from-debating-his-decision-to-exclude-same-sex-spouses-from-lambeth/

Archbishop Justin Welby in backlash after he defends Lambeth 2020 gay spouse ban

From Premier-

The Archbishop of Canterbury "kowtowed to those who are promoting discrimination and prejudice" by barring gay bishops from bringing their spouses to a major Anglican conference, it has been claimed.

Most Rev Justin Welby came in for fresh criticism on Monday after he said the decision - aimed at avoiding by a boycott of the Lambeth Conference next year by traditionalists - was a "lose-lose situation".

Rev Andrew Foreshew-Cain, who last week launched the Campaign for Equal Marriage in the Church of England, wrote to The Times to express his concern.

He said: "It is sacrificing the vulnerable for the sake of the powerful. Indeed, in making that decision, he has kowtowed to those who are promoting discrimination and prejudice across the communion."

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Archbishop-Justin-Welby-in-backlash-after-he-defends-Lambeth-2020-gay-spouse-ban

Same-sex spouse ban at Lambeth conference was a 'lose-lose' decision, says Justin Welby

From Premier-

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said the decision to not allow same-sex bishops to bring their partners to the Lambeth Conference in 2020 was made to exclude as few people as possible. 

The Lambeth Conference is a meeting of global anglican bishops, held every ten years, to discuss the future of the denomination worldwide. 

Personal invitations are being sent to 'every eligible bishop and spouse' according to the website, a sentence which previously added 'excluding same sex spouses'. 

Despite the edit, the fact remains that bishops in civil parnterships will not have the company of their partners.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Same-sex-spouse-ban-at-Lambeth-conference-was-a-lose-lose-decision-says-Justin-Welby

University hosting Lambeth Conference raises concern over gay spouse ban

From Premier- (additional links below)

The University of Kent has labelled the ban on same sex partners attending the global meeting of Anglican bishops as "contrary to its values".

The Lambeth Conference will take place at the Canterbury campus next year but now faces uncertainty, with university bosses now seeking meetings with the event organisers including Justin Welby.

While bishops attending are expected to bring their wives and husbands, earlier this year organisers confirmed those in same sex relationships wouldn't be permitted to bring their partners.

The decision by the Anglican Communion, which was made to appease conservatives within the Communion, has received criticism from MPs, some bishops and students at the University of Kent.

The US Episcopal Church said it was "concerned by the use of exclusion as a means of building communion".

The University's governing body met this week to discuss the ban after receiving a large number of concerns raised by staff, students, and members of the public, about hosting the conference.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/University-hosting-Lambeth-Conference-raises-concern-over-gay-spouse-ban 

and here-

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/kent-university-lambeth-conference-justin-welby-lgbt-anglican-church-summit-students-a8840711.html

and here-

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6855431/Archbishop-Canterbury-BANS-gay-bishops-bringing-partners-conference.html

Students call on university to rethink hosting Lambeth Conference over gay spouse ban

From Premier-

Students at the University of Kent are criticising a decision to ban the same sex spouses of bishops attending the Lambeth Conference.

The Canterbury campus is hosting the once a decade meeting of senior clergy from across the Anglican Communion next year.

While bishops attending are expected to bring their wives and husbands, earlier this year organisers confirmed those in same sex relationships wouldn't be permitted to bring their partners.

The decision was made in light of criticism from some quarters of the Church that the Communion was moving away from traditional Biblical understanding over the issue of homosexuality.

University bosses claim they have to respect the wishes of their clients as long as they are legal.

More here-

https://www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Students-call-on-university-to-rethink-hosting-Lambeth-Conference-over-gay-spouse-ban

University of Kent called 'spineless' after agreeing to host Lambeth Conference banning gay spouses

From England-

The university of Kent has come under fire for hosting an Anglican conference excluding same-sex couples.

Its Canterbury campus will be the venue for next year's Lambeth Conference, a meeting of bishops and their spouses from around the world which takes place every ten years.

But students have called the decision "shocking" and "spineless" after it emerged gay bishops, who are joining the assembly for the first time, were personally told by the Archbishop of Canterbury that their spouses are banned from the event.

More here-

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/canterbury/news/gay-partners-banned-from-event-at-uni-201264/