Dear Friends,130 years ago, Archbishop Longley, Archbishop of Canterbury, called together all the bishops of the Anglican Communion for consultation. Ever since then bishops have met either at Lambeth or Canterbury every ten years to share in their common mission.
With the encouragement of my fellow Primates I have decided to invite all bishops to join me in Canterbury in August 1998. I believe it is essential for us to meet for the following reasons:
Bishops need to study together. The conference will provide the bishops with a major opportunity to engage in their task of guarding and interpreting the Faith as we approach the third millennium of Christianity.
Bishops need to share with each other. We have grown as a Communion, there are now 36 Provinces with some 750 bishops. Much of this growth has occurred where there is terrible human suffering, poverty and persecution. Meeting together will help to strengthen the theological, spiritual and personal bonds of that Communion as we support each other and share in one another's sufferings.
Bishops need to pray together. The Conference will be one of study, worship and fellowship through which our leaders are resourced by God for their work in resourcing others.
As Anglicans we can take great pride in our heritage and rejoice in the foundations laid by our forebears. But the future challenges us. We are at an important point in our development as a Communion. The interdependence of our Provinces has much to offer world wide Christianity. The distinctive character of our theological exploration and the way we live our lives are aspects of our particular vocation in the world. It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will lead us in an openly constructive way to look to the future with confidence as we proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. The story we have to tell is life changing and we should not falter in the call to make Christ known to all people.
I hope that Lambeth 1998 will be supported by all the Communion as the bishops meet in the dying years of the present millennium. Effective leadership depends upon vision, faith and commitment. I believe Lambeth '98 will help to focus the minds and hearts of all bishops as the Anglican Communion prepares for the challenges and opportunities of the new century.
Please support Lambeth '98 and your bishop as he or she prepares to come. Above all remember it in your prayers. I, too, shall draw strength from that support, knowing that it represents our common desire to serve Christ in a world He loves.
+George
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