National News
Lengthy reflections document called 'narrative' of Lambeth experience
Topics range from the environment and peace in Korea to sexuality and covenant
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[Episcopal News
Service, Canterbury] A 44-page document meant to reflect the
experience of the bishops who participated in the
2008
Lambeth Conference is filled with many details from the many
conversations that took place during the 18-day gathering in Canterbury --
and many important statements about what was discussed.
Yet it admittedly cannot replicate the experience which it describes.
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Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams flanked by primates of the Anglican Communion (photo: ACNS/Gunn) |
Perth Archbishop Roger Herft, who chaired the document's writing committee, wrote in the introduction that the end result is a narrative of "our lived experience and the open and honest discussions we have had together."
"This document is not the primary outcome of this conference," he wrote. "Written words can never adequately describe the life-changing nature of our time together. We have gained a deeper appreciation of the worldwide Anglican Communion and of our common calling as disciples of Christ."
The document is available in two formats here. A one-page official explanatory note about the document's structure is available in two formats here.
Read the complete ENS story, including highlights from the bishops' reflections here.
Reactions to Lambeth Conference span the spectrum
By Mary Frances Schjonberg
[Episcopal News Service, Canterbury] The buses bearing the 2008 Lambeth Conference's 670 purple cassock-clad bishops had barely arrived at Canterbury Cathedral for the 18-day gathering's final Eucharist August 3 when reactions to the event and its final reflections document began to appear.The reactions ranged across the spectrum of opinion, with some urging decisive action in concert with the comments made in the reflections document and some cautioning against making legislation out of a document that is a self-described narrative of the conference.
Noticeably quiet on that day was the Global Anglican Future Conference, which held a June gathering of conservative Anglicans and Episcopalians in Jerusalem. Its silence was noteworthy considering that the absence of the so-called GAFCON bishops is referenced in the introductory section of the reflections document.
Read on for a full account.
More Lambeth . . .
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Bishop Henderson et al. on the Walk of Witness for the Millennium Development Goals, July 24 (photo: Chris Clement, © 2008 Episcopal Life Online |
