GOVERNING BODY - ANGLICAN COMMUNION WORKSHOP
As requested at the Workshop held on 18 September 2007 I am posting on the Website with this note a note of the main points raised in the discussion.
J M Shirley
Provincial Secretary
17 October 2007
The Bishop of Bangor chaired a Workshop in the Arts Hall, Lampeter from 20.00 – 21.00 on 18 September 2007. The Workshop was attended by about 50 Governing Body members.
Introduction
The Bishop of Bangor introduced the Workshop by giving a brief history of the Anglican Communion and of the issues which had led to the appointment of the Windsor Commission.
Discussion
There followed a very wide-ranging discussion during which the following issues were raised.
The role of Money
It was suggested that the real agenda was money with funding from the US driving people in Africa, and particularly in Nigeria. However others felt that a number of African Provinces had given up US funding as a matter of conscience and reflecting their genuinely held beliefs. Such sacrificial moves suggested there were non-financial motives. In response to this it was pointed out that such Provinces had often received replacement funding from conservative US sources when grants from TEC had been declined.
Different Cultures
The need to understand different cultures and history was raised. The same issue looked very different when seen through the eyes of different cultures and this led to a concern that the US was undermining African morality. There was an issue of African Christian identity.
Balance of power in the Communion
Some speakers referred to a movement of power within the Anglican Communion. Possibly Western Churches were feeling threatened by those from the South where Provinces wanted to develop their own type of Christianity.
Biblical morality in Western Churches
Unease was expressed about Western Churches too feeling that they were losing biblical morality. The issue was not just about African Churches.
A US issue?
Another interpretation was that the whole issue arose from disagreement within TEC with conservatives then drawing in African Provinces. It was quite possible to accept both that African Churches had deeply held theological views and that they were being ‘used’.
Why is homosexuality the defining issue?
Some speakers questioned why homosexuality had become the defining issue within the Communion. Why not human rights? One reason put forward was that the underlying question was what acts are acceptable to God. Is homosexuality something people need to repent of?
Biblical Evidence
The potential danger of selective use of biblical texts was mentioned.
A definition of Anglicanism?
The discussion turned to the need for a definition of what ‘being Anglican’ is. The need for a definition, albeit a generous one, was advocated. However, concern was also expressed about the danger of the ‘breadth of Anglicanism’ being lost. Anglicanism had many strands of interpretation and had lived with differences. There was a need to live with a measure of generosity. There was plenty to unite around without narrowing definitions. It was also suggested that custom and practice should be left to Provinces.
A Process?
Comments were made about the Covenant proposals and the means by which Anglicans listen to each other. They had done so over the issue of Women Bishops but in this case TEC had gone ahead without consultation. It was suggested that there could be a need to strengthen the current process for consultation between provinces to encourage dialogue at an early stage.
Relations with other denominations
One speaker pointed out the risk of moving towards sharing communion with other denominations but not with other Anglican Churches.