I have just returned from participating in the Sixth Global South \u201cSouth-to-South\u201d\u009d Encounter of Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, theologians and other leaders from 16 Provinces in the Global South (plus other orthodox Anglican representatives from Bangladesh, USA, Canada, and Australia). It was a privilege to represent the Province of North America (Anglican Church in North America) and to serve on the team that helped to draft the Communique from Cairo October 6, 2016.<\/p>\n
With everything still fresh in mind, I\u2019d like to point out seven (7) take-aways from the Global South Communique…
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\n..then the Communique turns its attention to the Mother Church itself, the Church of England (COE). In the context of just condemning those Provinces so closely linked, geographically and historically, to England, the Communique goes on to say \u201cWe are deeply concerned that there appears to be a potential move towards the acceptance of blessing of same sex union by COE.\u201d\u009d (para. 31). The Global South is watching the Mother Church closely. In typically gracious fashion, the Global South cites the \u201cpotential move.\u201d\u009d It hasn\u2019t happened, yet. But it is on the table; the recommendations of the Pilling Report are before the COE General Synod. With grace, the Communique notes the unique role of the COE in the life of the Communion: how its decisions as the Mother Church impact the Communion more deeply, how its Primate (the ABC) is \u201cfirst among equals.\u201d\u009d But the Global South is watching nonetheless. And then it concludes with a not-so-subtle warning: the acceptance of the blessing of same sex union by COE \u201cwould have serious implications for us should it occur.\u201d\u009d (para. 31).<\/p>\n
What are those implications? How should we imagine them in the context of the statement about the role of the ABC as \u201cfirst among equals\u201d\u009d? The presence of the Bishops of Winchester and Durham, the next most senior Sees in the COE after Canterbury and York, highlights the gravity of the situation in the COE. The Global South is watching, and waiting.<\/p>\n