What was the tenor of the meeting?
There was a real sense of gained understanding across the board that we’re all in this together. The church needs to use the moral authority it has to bring attention to those things because people across the globe are suffering in ways that they don’t need to be.
What was the archbishop of Canterbury’s message to the bishops?
He spoke about a generosity of spirit toward each other. He didn’t scold, but he was very clear in his language that what one province (of the church) does (has) an impact on another province. We need to be judicious and cautious in our own autonomous determinations.
What’s your message for the Diocese of Southwest Florida?
I took away from Lambeth a gladness of heart to be who I am as bishop of the Diocese of Southwest Florida. What we do here has the great potential to be global in effect, and an individual participating in the life of the local Episcopal congregation can be of assistance in terms of prayer and resources to people they’ll never meet but who desperately need their relationship.
We’re reading your lips, bishop, but we’re also watching your feet.
#1, his feet are firmly planted in TEC.
You know, if Lambeth did nothing but help North American bishops get a real sense of the global Anglican communion and the problems that their fellow Bishops, who are in danger because of our myopic actions, face; then I say Praise the Lord!