“Some provinces [country branches] are saying they will not attend a meeting where decisions are agreed upon but are not implemented,” Nzimbi told Cybercast News Service in an interview. “We agreed [at the last Lambeth, in 1998] that we should delay the consecration of gay bishops but the American church went ahead and did it.”
He said the reason given by those thinking about or planning to stay away is that the homosexuality issue has splintered the unity that bound the Anglican Communion together. “Our unity is based on common faith in Jesus Christ but gay priesthood has broken that so we may have nothing in common.”
Nzimbi did not name the countries or regions that may refuse to attend.
He said the Anglican Church in Kenya would make its decision by December. He did feel, however, that participating and having dialogue would be better than declining to attend altogether.
Church leaders opposed to the ordination of homosexuals would be eager to meet with like-minded bishops at the conference and decide the way forward on the issue, he added.
“The main issue is interpretation of the Bible. The Anglican Church needs revival because of many issues [in dispute], but consecration of gay bishops was the breaking point,” Nzimbi said.
“Williams, who hosts the gathering, says he wants the 2008 conference to focus on training for effective mission.”
They have to agree on the definition of the Church’s mission before they can agree on training for it.
Again ++Orombi is the only one who remains true to his word. The GS [sic] Primates released The Road to Lambeth which said they would not attend if any unrepentant consecrator og +Gene was in attendance. But now that they realize they may lose the power and that their threats don’t work, ++Nzimbi and ++Akinola are back-pedaling and making a whole laundry list of new reasons not to attend. Curiously, they seem not to remember the pledge they made. ++Orombi appears to be the only Archbishop of his word in the bunch.
What I want to know is, will Bishop Orama go to next year’s Lambeth Bishoporama?
Brian, what is your source regarding Nzimbi and Akinola back-pedaling?
2. Brian:
I believe that the Global South, specifically Kenya & Nigeria, DO have power, people power, and the power of believing and following the scriptures. VGR is not on the list for Lambeth, at least not at last reading. However, maybe RW will invite him in NOLA. Would not be a surprise.