Kwong: Good afternoon. This is my first Lambeth and I confess I did not go to indaba this morning. I had something else to do but I want to give you my impression of the conference which has taken place and this is a great privileged to be a part of this conference and like any other conference there are good and bad things.
For this conference I found most things here are very good in particular the worship in the morning and the bible studies where we have a chance to reflect and share our views about the conference and the communion difficulties in relations to the bible.
One thing I found disappointing is that we have spent a lot of time sharing and listening but I wish we could have more time to talk about actions and what might happen from here with regard to the issues that are causing division. We have been beating about the bush and “talking” about the issues facing the communion for a long time. It is time to deal with it.
From Hong Kong in particular we want to see that all parties concerned would have a chance to sit down and work around something concrete to resolve the issues. We want somebody or a team with some diplomatic skills to invite all of the parties and look at the issues. We in Hong Kong respect what people are taking about and doing.
But all these people are saying, everyone is saying, that what they have done is correct in their context. Now we are asking all of these people to stop defending what they do or accusing others. Come instead together and say what sacrifice and concessions can you make for the sake of the integrity of the communion; for the sake of the integrity of the church. I was hoping this conference to ask us for a forward in that way.
I was on the fence, leaning to agreement, as to so many of the GAFCON bishops refusing to attend Lambeth. With the Conference winding down, I now believe they were absolutely correct in their decision. To call it a “jamboree” is to overstate its usefulness.
The Bars comment, “sound and fury signifying nothing.”
Bard’s