Source: Living Church
7/2/2007
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s office has released a statement on the status of the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson’s invitation to the 2008 Lambeth Conference, saying “there is no change to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision not to invite the Bishop of New Hampshire to the conference as a participating bishop.”
Last week a British daily newspaper reported that a member of the archbishop’s staff had informed several concerned clergy members of the Church of England by letter that Bishop Robinson would be attending.
The letter sent to the clergy listed Archbishop Rowan Williams’ previously stated reasons for not inviting Bishop Robinson, and closed with a reminder that “it is still being explored whether Bishop Robinson might attend in another status.”
In an interview with a reporter for The Living Church, a spokesman for Archbishop Williams called for a halt to further speculation and confirmed there had been no changes or new actions taken over Bishop Robinson’s invitation to Lambeth since the invitations were extended last month.
Senior advisors to Archbishop Williams noted it was possible that some bishops may have their invitations withdrawn to the gathering of the Anglican Communion’s bishops next summer in Canterbury.
In his letter of invitation, Archbishop Williams stated, “with the recommendations of the Windsor Report particularly in mind, I have to reserve the right to withhold or withdraw invitations from bishops whose appointment, actions or manner of life have caused exceptionally serious division or scandal within the Communion.”
(The Rev.) George Conger
04 July 2007 at 11:20 pm
It is interesting that The Archbishop of Canterbury can make the decision firm to not invite Gene Robinson (I refuse to acknowledge Him as a Bishop) and it appears that He is basing his decision (hopefully) on the Supremacy of Scripture.
Why is then that this same Archbishop cannot make strong decisions concerning the Bishops and Archbishops of the TEC and ACC (and other wayward Bishops in other Provinces) and show the leadership that is required at this time in the history of the Anglican Church Worldwide.
In my humble opinion (and I am only Laity) this is the time for the Strength of God to be shown through Canterbury and not the weak kneed leadership that is instead appearing.
This is all backwards…..Rwanda and Diocese of Sydney SHOULD NOT have to be taking the stand that they are taking. I wonder at this point, how many of the Global South will show up at Lambeth 2008?
I would hope that Lagos would be the prevalent gathering for the Christian Anglican Church to attend and not Lambeth.
The Communion is already broken and it appears that the attitude of TEC and ACC in not about to turn back.
I am a member of Essentials Canada and Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) and it is only because of these Organizations being accepted by the Global South and others that I am even considering staying within the Anglican Church.
I do pray that all of this mess will be straightened out in short order. The time for talking seems to be over and now firm action is required.
30 July 2007 at 9:15 am
I’m of opinion that any bishop who can not stand by the biblical truth should voluntarily leave the communion.It is not a do or die affair. The word of God must be protected and held in high esteem.