Progressive leaders of Anglican churches are expressing disquiet as the Lambeth Conference of bishops, the Covid-delayed decennial meeting of Anglican Bishops from across the world, gets underway this week.
It looked at first that the meeting would avoid controversial statements, making “calls” instead of resolutions, but protests from progressive bishops are growing over a “call” that reaffirms a conservative view of human sexuality.
Despite a boycott of the Lambeth by the conservative GAFCON group of provinces, including Uganda, Nigeria and Rwanda, on the grounds that conservative resolutions of past Lambeths and other church councils have not been followed up, conservatives are likely to have the numbers at Lambeth.
GAFCON-aligned conservative bishops from Australia are staying home. But the large “Global south” group, equally conservative on LGBTIQA issues will be there. Reaffirmation of 1:10 is a clear objective of the Global South’s latest manifesto.
The proposed Lambeth “call’ covering human dignity according to an official agenda currently includes this introduction. “All human beings are made in the image of God. Therefore, Anglicans are committed to respect, protect, and acknowledge the dignity of all. There has been, however, a gap between rhetoric and reality. Historical exploitation, deepening poverty, and prejudice continue to threaten human dignity. Amidst these threats, and our own divisions and discernment, we call for: (i) an Archbishop’s Commission for Redemptive Action; (ii) the establishment of an Anglican Innovation Fund; and (iii) a reaffirmation of Lambeth I.10 that upholds marriage as between a man and a woman and requires deeper work to uphold the dignity and witness of LGBTQ Anglicans.“
“Lambeth 1.10” is a reference to a notable conservative win from Lambeth 1998.
Reaffirming Lambeth 1:10 would be a major win for Anglican conservatives. The “call” also includes this paragraph.
“Prejudice on the basis of gender or sexuality threatens human dignity. Given Anglican polity, and especially the autonomy of Provinces, there is disagreement and a plurality
of views on the relationship between human dignity and human sexuality. Yet, we experience the safeguarding of dignity in deepening dialogue. It is the mind of the Anglican Communion as a whole that same gender marriage is not permissible. Lambeth Resolution I.10 (1998) states that the “legitimizing or blessing of same sex unions” cannot be advised. It is the mind of the Communion to uphold “faithfulness
in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong union” (I.10, 1998).xxviii It is also the mind of the Communion that “all baptized, believing and faithful persons, regardless of sexual orientation are full members of the Body of Christ” and to be welcomed, cared for, and treated with respect (I.10, 1998).”
Despite accurately stating that Lambeth Conference cannot impose its teaching on member provinces (national churches) around the world, progressives are adamant they do not want 1:10 reaffirmed at this year’s conference.
“You think it’s hot in London this week? Wait until next week in Canterbury,” John Harvey Taylor, Bishop of Los Angeles blogged late last week as tension mounted. “The word is spreading quickly that the Kumbaya Lambeth is actually a bait-and-switch Lambeth, with moderate and progressive Anglicans and Episcopalians about to arrive in Canterbury as credulous props for what is likely to be a majority vote against marriage equity.”
The reliably progressive Bishops of the Church in Wales have also protested. “Like others, we have noticed a short text, inserted in the draft Lambeth Call on Human Dignity, which undermines and subverts the dignity of an integral part of our community, rather than affirming them. Recognising that some provinces will want to affirm the historic understanding of marriage, we wish to assure our LGBT+ sisters and brothers in Christ that we will work to amend this passage to reflect more adequately our understanding of their equal place in the Church”
Should the Lambeth Conference reaffirm 1:10, it will also be a win for GAFCON although they will not be there. GAFCON provides an alternative structure for the conservative Global South movement to adopt should they be stymied at Lambeth. If the Globall South are disappointed they can join forces with GAFCON and set up alternatives to the Lambeth conference.