TWO CHURCH of Ireland bishops with contrasting views on gay bishops and same-sex blessings have spoken of their optimism as the Lambeth Conference 2008 of the worldwide Anglican community nears its Sunday finish.
Bishop Ken Good of Derry and Raphoe said yesterday he was “quite hopeful” on the conference outcome, and that discussion on the role of the bishop and the mission of the church had been well summarised, but he felt that yesterday the conference was approaching its decisive moment.
The theme for discussion at 15 discussion groups, involving approximately 40 bishops in each, was Listening to God and Each Other: The Bishop and Human Sexuality.
Dr Good felt the diocese of New Hampshire in the US went “too far too soon” in ordaining Gene Robinson as its bishop in 2003.
He believed this was wrong both biblically and strategically, as well as where timing was concerned.
The Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, said that he too was optimistic where the outcome of the conference was concerned – “as long as someone doesn’t collapse the scrum of process”.