Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams made an eloquent case in his opening presidential address to the Lambeth Conference for embracing a new way of addressing the difficult issues that divide Anglicans, so it is disheartening to see with just two days left that this new procedure appears to be moving toward adopting more of the same failed policies from the past.
In Part Three of its preliminary observations, the Windsor Continuation Group recommended moratoria on same-sex blessings, the consecration of more partnered homosexual bishops and the cessation of cross-border interventions. It also proposed “the swift formation” of a “pastoral forum” to “engage theologically and practically with situations of controversy as they arise or divisive actions that may be taken around the Communion.”
It is difficult to imagine either those seeking to normalize homosexuality within the church or those seeking to minister to congregations and dioceses that feel marginalized by such innovations taking the pastoral forum any more seriously than they did the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference or the primates’ pastoral scheme. In addition, the Windsor Continuation Group recommends deferring a decision to the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), which does not meet until next May. Undoubtedly a round of provincial consultations will follow.
Steve Waring asks the same question that I had asked, “How is the ‘Forum of Reference’ any different from the Panel of Refence?”
What I find hard to believe is that there are still Charlie Brown’s out there ready to have another go at Lucy’s football.
I believe Lucy never failed to jerk the ball away and Charlie Brown always ended up on his back. I trust the same from this non-article of unity.
We are at the point now where Lucy is just beginning to yank the ball away and it dawns on Charlie Brown that he’s been suckered yet again.
I’m beginning to think reasserters like it, frankly.