Archbishop Philip Freier says he will return to Melbourne from the Lambeth Conference with a far greater sense of the vitality of the Anglican Communion worldwide, which he describes as a \u201cblessing to the world\u201d\u009d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis has been an opportunity for sharing concerns about mission and evangelism, and reconsidering the needs of a hurting world,\u201d\u009d he said at the conclusion of the ten yearly gathering of bishops from around the world. \u201cThis is the irony\u201d\u009d, he said \u201cthat there is so much good to speak about but the focus is so often on the unresolved tensions in the Communion.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Dr Freier observed that the \u201d\u02dcReflections Document\u2019 from the Lambeth Conference represented the spectrum of opinions that had been raised but cautioned against looking at this document as the Church\u2019s authoritative teaching. He thought that the three presidential addresses by the Archbishop of Canterbury were more indicative of where the communion stood on the matters that threatened to divide it. He says he will strongly urge the Anglican Church in Australia to commit itself to the Covenant process.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs far as the Covenant is concerned, there is certainly more clarity required on some of the details. But I strongly believe that this is the best opportunity to build our unity and to strengthen co-operation across the communion in evangelism and works of mercy.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n