FINAL LAMBETH DOCUMENT CALLS FOR “SEASON OF GRACIOUS RESTRAINT”

by Steve Waring
http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2008/8/3/final-lambeth-document-calls-for-season-of-gracious-restraint

The final “Lambeth Indaba” reflections document suggests that “a season of gracious restraint” may be the best way to resolve disagreement over the scope and duration of a moratorium on the consecration of partnered homosexual persons as bishop, the celebration of public rites of same-sex blessings and cross-border incursions by overseas bishops. The document was released Aug. 3, the final day of the 20-day gathering of Anglican bishops.

“The moratoria can be taken as a sign of the bishops’ affection, trust and goodwill towards the Archbishop of Canterbury and one another,” the 42-page reflection paper states. “The moratoria will be difficult to uphold, although there is a desire to do so from all quarters. There are questions to be clarified in relation to how long the moratoria are intended to serve.”

The section of the reflections document titled “The Windsor Process” also notes clear majority support for creation of a “Pastoral Forum” to resolve serious disputes.

“Many felt strongly that the forum could operate in a province only with the consent of that province and in particular with the consent of the primate or the appropriate body,” the document states. “It is essential that this should be properly funded and resourced if it has any chance of being productive. There was some support for an alternative suggestion: to appoint in any dispute, a pastoral visitor, working with a professional arbitrator and to create in the Communion a ‘pool’ of such visitors.”

Questions as to the nature and length of a proposed moratorium and the proposal to establish a pastoral forum will be referred to the Windsor Continuation Group. Last February, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams appointed a six-member group which includes Bishop Gary Lillibridge of West Texas. The Windsor Continuation Group will prepare a document for consideration by the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), which meets next May in Jamaica.

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