Issue No. 16Saturday 8 August 1998
The Official Newspaper of the Lambeth Conference

Web highlights provided by Anglicans Online from the official edition.

Front page of this issue

Letters To balance reporting on Eames Commission debate, a point well taken In common with many other bishops, who hold a `traditionalist' position on the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate, and who are deeply loyal Anglicans, I regret the somewhat one-sided reporting of the debate urging the respecting of the Eames Commission's recommendations in all Provinces of the Communion. When Bishops Victoria Matthews and Penelope Jamieson accepted my invitation to meet in dialogue from our differing theological perspectives, it was without any further end in view that that of mutual understanding. That we were able to progress to a joint resolution (in the framing of the final stages of which we were joined by a number of other bishops, including the Presiding Bishop of ECUSA) is indeed a sign of God's grace. Being a communion places upon us, and our individual churches, the need to respect the integrity of others and to ensure, in this instance, that `traditionalist' bishops and the people they serve are not placed in impossible positions. We all need to reflect the generosity of God. (The Rt Rev) Geoffrey Rowell Bishop of Basingstoke Winchester, England Bendigo Synod speaks out on Spong theses Probably neither you nor many of your readers will have heard of the Diocese of Bendigo in Australia. In spite of this, our Diocesan Synod, which met early in June, asked me to pass on to all the participants of Lambeth its reactions to Bishop John Spong's 12 Theses posted recently on the Internet. Our synod resolution noted that many of the Bishop's points are a denial of the historic Creeds of the Church and so are a denial of historic Anglicanism. The Synod reaffirmed its commitment to the doctrines expressed in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds, and separated it from the views expressed by Bishop Spong. The Synod also encouraged the Lambeth Conference to exercise leadership in reaffirming our belief in the historic creeds of the Christian Church. It is hard for me to express the disappointment, disillusion and pain that was inherent in our Synod debate. I have sent the letter to you for publication so that I can show faith with the clergy and lay leadership of my diocese. (The Rt Rev) David Bowden Bishop of Bendigo, Australia It was a pleasure to serve... You will not want to publish this, but I feel that I should insist you do. For three weeks you and your colleagues have provided a daily overview of the important aspects of the Conference.You have somehow balanced the business of the Conference with a multitude of peripheral activities. You have acknowledged a range of people truly representative of the mosaic which is the Anglican Communion.You have managed to say ``thank you'' to all who have contributed so much, but with a significant exception. So let me say what you cannot, and would not say. A big ``Thank you'' to the Editor of The Lambeth Daily. The sight of a dining hall full of people immersed simultaneously in their breakfast and The Lambeth Daily is probably sufficient for you, but I wanted you to see a word of appreciation in print, too. (The Rev Canon) Anthony Jewiss Secretariat, Section Three, Los Angeles `Seal with your Spirit all transfigurations' Might I encourage you to print the following hymn, written on July 22 by Bishop Mazilamani Azariah, in response to the Conference's ``Bible,World and Church'' plenary? It is especially appropriate for the final plenary on the same theme which I am coordinating. Bishops of the Church in South India and North India have greatly appreciated the hymn, which has been set to music. Bishop Azariah has written more than 100 lyrics in Tamil. A HYMN FROM ST PAUL Father of mercies, we praise you and sing, Father of Jesus, our Lord and our King, Source of consoling and joy from above, Mother-like comforter, spirit of love. In our affliction, Lord, show us your face; Scant is our strength, yet our strength is your grace. Season with joy what sufferings will bring, To share it with hearts that are longing to sing. Pour out your grace in the world and each heart Let war be no more, and let hatred depart. Free from their sins those with less, those with more, For the sake of the one who though rich became poor. Heal and renew all the word and its nations; Seal with your Spirit all transfigurations. Help us be agents of your transformation From glory to glory in Christ's new creation. (Professor) David F. Ford Regius Professor of Divinity University of Cambridge Back to front page of this issue