We reject homosexual practice as contrary to biblical teaching and can accept no place for it within ECS. We strongly oppose developments within the Anglican Church in the USA and Canada in consecrating a practicing homosexual as bishop and in approving a rite for the blessing of same-sex relationships. This has not only caused deep divisions within the Anglican Communion but it has seriously harmed the Church\u2019s witness in Africa and elsewhere, opening the church to ridicule and damaging its credibility in a multi-religious environment.<\/p>\n
The unity of the Anglican Communion is of profound significance to us as an expression of our unity within the Body of Christ. It is not something we can treat lightly or allow to be fractured easily. Our unity expresses the essential truth of the Gospel that in Christ we are united across different tribes, cultures and nationalities. We have come to attend the Lambeth Conference, despite the decision of others to stay away, to appeal to the whole Anglican Communion to uphold our unity and to take the necessary steps to safeguard the precious unity of the Church.<\/p>\n
Out of love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we appeal to the Anglican Church in the USA and Canada, to demonstrate real commitment to the requests arising from the Windsor process. In particular:
\n– To refrain from ordaining practicing homosexuals as bishops or priests
\n– To refrain from approving rites of blessing for same-sex relationships
\n– To cease court actions with immediate effect;
\n– To comply with Resolution 1:10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference
\n– To respect the authority of the Bible<\/p>\n
We believe that such steps are essential for bridging the divisions which have opened up within the Communion.<\/p>\n