The meeting has witnessed a shift in the leadership of the conservative movement within the Anglican Communion, with the Archbishop of Sydney Peter Jensen assuming a new prominence among what had been an African-dominated leadership team. Challenged in a press conference by a gay activist to respond to the persecution of a lesbian in Uganda, who was forced to flee to the United Kingdom for her safety, Archbishop Henry Orombi responded that he did not think that homosexuals were persecuted in his country. It was Archbishop Jensen who then intervened, noting that all Anglicans abhorred homophobia, and that speaking for himself and the African church leaders, they were united in their condemnation of violence. When the issue was presented to the African leaders in those terms, they were quick to join their Australian colleague in condemning homophobic violence.
Condemned by critics as schismatic, the leaders of GAFCON have confounded expectations by focusing on spiritual solutions, with organizers hoping it will spark a renewal movement within the wider church. The long-term implications of GAFCON will likely rest upon its closing communiqué. Pilgrims will be asked to review seven questions over the course of the conference, including what can be done to restore sacramental Communion among the divided Anglican churches and whether it can be reformed from within.
The questions they will be asked to answer include whether cross border Episcopal jurisdictions are an appropriate way forward to resolve differences; is GAFCON merely a Global South initiative or does it have a role to play in the wider church; will the initiatives that arise from GAFCON be neutralized by the strategic use of money by its opponents in the Episcopal Church; can GAFCON provide a path towards the Anglican future; and should GAFCON become an institutional entity in order to achieve the tasks it has set for itself.
Archbishop Orombi said there were no predetermined answers to these questions from the archbishops, as it was important that clergy and lay voices be heard in formulating a way forward for Anglicanism.
[blockquote] whether cross border Episcopal jurisdictions are an appropriate way forward to resolve differences; [/blockquote]
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:17-18 ”
“Then he said to them, “As you go into ALL the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone”.
[blockquote]is GAFCON merely a Global South initiative or does it have a role to play in the wider church;[/blockquote]
It has a role to play in the wider church. Too many dioceses are primarily Anglo-Catholic, or primarily Evangelical or primarily liberal. Which means the church in that geographic area is not representative. Break down the strongholds bishops have in their geographic area by allowing representatives from all wings of the church. Stong branding is necessary to differentiate when the ‘other side’ starts promoting loony ideas so it doesn’t hurt the other churches under the same umbrella.
[blockquote] will the initiatives that arise from GAFCON be neutralized by the strategic use of money by its opponents in the Episcopal Church;[/blockquote]
“The bigger the Church gets, the fewer conflicts Christians will face. “That is what we believe. So we have put ourselves into the work of mission very seriously.†The era of bishops living like lords in their own little empires has long gone. “Every bishop in his area is an evangelist,†he says. ”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article2026348.ece
Follow the Akinola route to overcome your enemy. Evangelize, and as you grow, your enemy will decline.
[blockquote] can GAFCON provide a path towards the Anglican future; [/blockquote]
Yes. Unity is important. United we stand, divided we fall.
[blockquote] should GAFCON become an institutional entity in order to achieve the tasks it has set for itself [/blockquote]
Yes. Unity is important. United we stand, divided we fall.