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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cthe swift formation\u201d\u009d of a \u201cpastoral forum\u201d\u009d to \u201cengage theologically and practically with situations of controversy as they arise or divisive actions that may be taken around the Communion.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s Panel of Reference or the primates\u2019 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.<\/p>\n