In his second Presidential address this week, Archbishop Rowan Williams pleaded for Lambeth participants to
at least ask the question : ”˜Having heard the other person, the other group, as fully and fairly as I can, what generous initiative can I take to break through into a new and transformed relation of communion in Christ?’
So: which of the nonparticipant leaders has taken the most “generous initiative” to help the communion, Martyn Minns who has stayed away as requested and been very quiet and self restrained, or Gene Robinson who has come to Lambeth to be on the outskirts of the conference, and where he has received more media attention than almost all Lambeth bishops who are at the actual event itself? KSH.
I will consider posting comments on this article submitted first by email to Kendall’s E-mail: KSHarmon[at]mindspring[dot]com.
From D.C. Toedt:
Re the Minns approach v. the Robinson approach to Lambeth: I’m guessing that Minns was directed to stay away. That doesn’t strike me as generosity.
From RG Eaton:
D.C.,
It is still a valid contrast, whether you define Bp Minns’ non-participation as directed or not. For perspective, Bp Robinson was “not invited” (which could also be seen as a directive), but was allowed to take up residence in “The Marketplace.” So the new venues for each bishop, that is, the place from which they might be seen and heard – and from whence to be gracious – is put into place.
Minns has said virtually nothing public; you could say his current gracious initiative has been to basically keep his mouth shut and not take potshots from afar.
You see where I’m going I hope.
In case not, +Gene has not confined himself to the Marketplace but taken every opportunity for media exposure, liturgical venue, and simply “presence” to press forward his unique message as assertion. There is no gracious initiative, no personal sacrifice of agenda. And that’s without even bringing +Martyn back into the comparison!
Even if your attempt to deprive the contrast that Kendall suggests were to stand, it could still be said that if indeed “directed”, then Bp Minns at least was being obedient. Bp Robinson has used every means (usually through US bishops at Lambeth) to get the dis-invitation revoked, that is, to undermine the Archbishop’s decision re: his participation.
Bad form on +Gene’s part.