The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, announced today that he plans to participate in the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), to be held in Jerusalem, June 22\u201d\u201c29, 2008. Described as \u201ca full week of planning and pilgrimage,\u201d\u009d the event is being organized by the leading orthodox Primates of the Anglican Communion, and participation in the conference is by invitation only.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to demonstrate my solidarity with the Bishops of the Global South,\u201d\u009d Bishop Iker said, \u201cand to stand with them as we seek a positive way forward for the mission of the Anglican Communion during this time of dissension. I expect it to be a time of spiritual renewal and refreshment.\u201d\u009dThe conference program will focus on worship, prayer, discussion, and Bible study, shaped by the context of the Holy Land.<\/p>\n
Bishop Iker said that he \u201cremains in consultation\u201d\u009d with several other bishops regarding attendance at the upcoming Lambeth Conference of Bishops, which is to be held at the University of Kent in Canterbury from July 16 to August 3. He also will be seeking the advice of his own clergy about participating in this gathering of Anglican bishops from around the world that meets once every ten years. Bishop Iker was among those in attendance at the last Lambeth Conference, which was held in 1998.<\/p>\n
Both GAFCON and Lambeth are international conferences that will occur during the time the Bishop will be away from the diocese on a three-month sabbatical, beginning in early May.
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, announced today that he plans to participate in the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), to be held in Jerusalem, June 22\u201d\u201c29, 2008. Described as \u201ca full…<\/span><\/p>\n