The LambethDaily ISSUE No.14 THURSDAY AUGUST 6 1998 OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE 1998 LAMBETH CONFERENCE
TODAY’S KEY EVENTS Rwanda rises 7.15am Prayer Time ‘Crowning Glory’ 9.30 - 11.00am Morning Prayer and Bible Studies Many faces 11.30 - 1.00pm Feast Day Eucharist from the ashes 3.00pm Spouses’:Workshops of outreach Tonight! 3.30 - 5.30pm Plenary Session Page 3 5.45pm Evening Prayer Page 4 8.30pm Transfiguration Presentation ‘Crowning Glory’ 8.30pm, St Columba Hall
endorsing “Affirmation Conference takes conservative Church challenged and Adoption of the to new strides United Nations Universal Declaration of Human stance on human sexuality for human rights Rights” (1.1), “Religious by James Thrall said.While a previous speaker, Bishop Freedom and Tolerance” Peter Adebiyi (Owo, Nigeria), had by Nan Cobbey (1.2), “Justice for Women n a session the Archbishop of Can- called any condoning of homosexual- and Nicola Currie and Children” (1.3), Iterbury called “difficult and painful,” ity “evangelical suicide,” Bishop “Faithful Response to the Lambeth Conference approved a Roskam asserted that “to condemn it, erious human-rights violations Aggression and War”(1.4), and statement on sexuality yesterday after- in the form it has been condemned, is Swere addressed yesterday as the “Uprooted and Displaced Persons” noon that rejects homosexual practice evangelistic suicide in my region.” Lambeth Conference received resolu- (1.5). (For resolution texts, please as “incompatible with Scripture.” At one point in the debate, Arch- tions and Section One’s report, see page 2.) The resolution, submitted by bish- bishop David Crawley, of British “Human Rights and Human Dignity.” On “the Plight of the People of ops of Section One and amended over Columbia and Yukon, said the original In the morning plenary bishops Northern and Western Uganda” (1.6), Human rights leaders Sehon Goodrich (left) the course of nearly three hours of resolution had been steadily eroded. agreed to Section One resolutions Please see Human rights page 2 and Kenneth Fernando. debate, commits the Church to “listen “A document whose face, a little con- to the experience of homosexual peo- servative, was a face of love and com- ple” and calls homosexuals “full mem- passion is gradually, bit by bit, step by E-mail computes for first-time users bers of the Body of Christ.” It also step, turning into a judgement and condemns “irrational fear of homo- condemnation.” by Carol Barnwell sexuals.” A number of bishops, however, e looks as though he is setting But conservative views prevailed in reiterated their beliefs that scripture Hoff on a bicycle without requiring “abstinence” for anyone not forbids homosexuality.In Uganda, said training wheels for the first time— married.The resolution also states that Bishop Winston Mutebi (Mityana, eyes wide with anticipation and a the Conference “cannot advise the Uganda), “the Bible and the apostolic trace of terror. legitimising or blessing of same-sex tradition are authority for all that we Bishop Peter Elbersh Kowa unions, nor the ordination of those do in our Church.” He urged lesbians (Kadugli and Nuba Mountains, involved in such unions.” and gay men to repent. Sudan) tentatively takes the mouse The strong feelings on the topic The resolution retained language in his hand, laughing nervously expressed throughout the two-and-a- calling on the Church’s primates and when the cursor skitters across the half weeks of the Conference leading the Anglican Consultative Council to screen in response. up to the vote were evident in the monitor the study of sexuality by “It makes very short work,” he bishops’ polite but pointed comments provinces throughout the Commu- says as a reply to his first e-mail, during the debate.The final vote was nion, and to “share statements and sent just hours before, appears on overwhelmingly in favour of the resources.” the screen.“Can I have a copy?” he amended resolution, with 526 bishops Speaking to the press after the ple- asks, clearly pleased with the new Learning on-line (from left): Cliff Hicks, Peter Elbersh Kowa, Greg Mills. voting in favour to only 70 voting nary session, Archbishop Robin skill he is gaining. “This is excel- Photo: Anglican World/Carol Barnwell against. Forty-five bishops abstained. Eames, of Armagh (Ireland), who lent,” Bishop Kowa says. Bishop Kowa sits at the monitor, “I drew an outline for the bish- Several speakers objected to chaired the session, said he was not “The bishop wanted to send a dressed in a blue-and-yellow tradi- op,” Mr Mills explains, “showing adding language that calls homosex- surprised at the outcome. fax,” explains Greg Mills, of the tional, African congolo, with two him how his message moved from ual practice incompatible with “Talking and listening to my fellow Conference telecommunications Australian coaches kneeling at his here through cyberspace and to his scripture. bishops since I arrived, I felt this was team. “The card he handed me elbow, guiding each new step. parishioners, who are at a confer- “You can pass this but you will not the way things would go,” he said. contained an e-mail address so we “Now what is the next thing?” he ence in Cypress.” have a strong statement,” Bishop “Looking ahead, what the Lambeth used it!” asks, anxious for more information. Please see E-mail page 3 Catherine Roskam (New York, US) Please see Sexuality page 3 Website ‘hits’ exceed 110,000 Technology: ‘good news’@www.lambethconference.org Today’s plenary to focus on by Bob Libby (Jerusalem), Presiding Bishop Frank ‘open reception,’ primates friend or foe? Griswold (US), Bishop Victoria from staff reports ambeth ‘98 gives new meaning to Matthews (Edmonton, Canada), Bish- plenary business session for the women ordained in other provinces, ndorsing resolutions that seek Lthe term “via media.” Thanks to a op Nigel McCulloch (Wakefield, Eng- ALambeth bishops starting at but also calls on provinces to affirm Eexpanded safeguards from grant of $161,000 (£97,700) from land), Bishop Paul Richardson (Aus- 3.30pm today will address the draft that “those who dissent from, as well as landmines (1.13) and nuclear Trinity Church,Wall Street (US), state- tralia), and Bishop Dinis Sengulane report and resolutions of Section those who assent to, the ordination of weapons (1.11), the Lambeth Con- of-the-art communication technology (Lebombo, Mozambique). Three, which has been considering the women are not disloyal Anglicans.” ference yesterday also called for the is at the service of the more than 2,000 Canon James Rosenthal, Commu- topic “Called to be Faithful in a Plural It would rule out penalties for cler- establishment through the Anglican people involved in the Conference. nication Director for the Anglican World.” gy “supporting or objecting to the ordi- Consultative Council of a Com- Archbishop Communion, has assembled a team of Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, nation of women to the priesthood,” mission on Technology and Ethics Robin Eames of more than 70 professional communica- of the Episcopal Church in the United and states that “no bishop will be oblig- tors from around the world.The team (1.12). Armagh, Primate of States, will serve as chair, assisted by ed to ordain, license or institute a is guided by a steering committee, Among issues before the new All Ireland, is the whose members include Archbishop Archbishop Livingstone Mpalanyi- woman priest in that bishop’s diocese.” Commission will be topics raised in Conference’s much- Eames; Barbara Braver, Assistant to the Nkoyoyo, of Uganda, as vice-chair. The second (III.6) would enhance Section One’s subsection report, esteemed, much- Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Two resolutions from Section Three the role of the Primates’ Meeting ‘Technology and the Quest for Full respected Coordina- Church, US; the Rev Bill Beaver, will be debated. One addresses the under the leadership of the Archbishop Humanity’, also accepted by bish- tor for Communica- Communication Director of the Gen- unity of the Anglican Communion as of Canterbury, including “intervention ops yesterday. Robin Eames tions. He is assisted eral Synod of the Church of England; it relates to the ordination of women in cases of exceptional emergency” in The high-tech world that is in interpreting the Conference to the Liz Gibson Harries, press officer for the to priesthood (III.2). provinces. emerging with the new millennium media by a cadre of “episcopal com- Church of Ireland; the Rev Kris Lee, It calls for all provinces to uphold The plenary also will consider region- Please see Technology page 3 municators: Bishop Riah Abu el-Assal Please see Communications page 4 the principle of ‘open reception’ of al resolutions unaddressed yesterday. 2 The LambethDaily THURSDAY AUGUST 6 1998 Human rights Continued from page 1 Human Rights Resolutions it was agreed that the resolution would be brought for debate after an interjec- (Texts of resolutions affirmed August 5) Uprooted and Displaced Persons (Res- tion from a Ugandan bishop who ffirmation and Adoption of the olution 1.5) This Conference commits its wanted to change the wording to take AUnited Nations Universal Decla- members to (a) promote within the Angli- ration of Human Rights into account local understanding of the (Resolution can Communion and beyond a greater 1.1): On the 50th anniversary of its procla- awareness of the plight of uprooted and situation. Resolution 1.6 will therefore mation in December of 1948, this Confer- forcibly displaced persons, including indige- come before bishops again in a future ence (a) resolves that its members urge com- nous peoples, and the causes of such disrup- plenary. pliance with the United Nations Universal tion, including Third World Debt, religious On “the Plight of the People of the Declaration of Human Rights by the nations conflict, economic deprivation, political Sudan and Rwanda” (1.7), the bishops in which our various members Churches are oppression and environmental degradation; agreed to amend the resolution to add located, and all others over whom we may (b) recognise the plight of our brothers and Burundi to the countries listed. The exercise any influence; and (b) urges exten- sisters who are victims of forcible displace- amendment came after an interjection sion of the provisions of the Declaration to ment, and encourage prayer, worship, and from Bishop Michael Nuttal (Natal, refugees, uprooted and displaced persons study experiences which express the solidar- who may be forced by the circumstances of ity of the Anglican Communion with Southern Africa) on the Resolutions their loves to live among them. uprooted and forcibly displaced persons, Committee. Religious Freedom and Tolerance commending the exceptional courage and The human-rights resolutions were (Resolution 1.2):This Conference, meeting leadership exercise of behalf of these victims drafted by bishops working in Section at the dawn of the new millennium, calls by certain members of the Anglican Com- One’s Subsection on Human Rights upon (a) all faith communities,especially the munion; (c) encourage effective advocacy and Human Dignity,chaired by Bishop Christian Church, to acknowledge our on behalf of uprooted and forcibly displaced Sehon Goodrich (Windward Islands, responsibility to mobilise our spiritual,moral persons within the Anglican Communion as West Indies); some sessions were and material resources to promote and pro- well as within tits behalf of uprooted and chaired by Bishop Kenneth Fernando tect as absolute rights, each person’s freedom displaced persons by designating contact of thought, conscience and religion; (b) the persons in every province whose responsi- (Colombo, Ceylon). leaders of all faith communities to encour- bility would be to develop and guide this Anglican peacemaking role bishops in the subsection tell chilling age their congregations to reach out to peo- work*, and (e) encourage the revitalisation In a draft report that is both horri- tales of abuses around the world- ple of all faiths among communities to of the Anglican Communion International fying and compelling, the subsection women raped, children sold into slav- encourage their congregations to reach out Migrant and Refugee Network to assist the challenges the Anglican Communion ery, mass killings in churches, whole to people of all faiths among whom they Anglican Communion in this work. to continue its heritage as a Church of communities driven off their land. live, move and have their being, in order to (*All primates were requested to do this as peacemakers and prophets. They include graphic descriptions proclaim and demonstrate the imperatives of expressed in Anglican Consultative Council 6, In their seven-page report, the 46 of inhumanity, such as the story one love and reconciliation as a pre-condition 1984. See Proceedings of ACC-6,Appendix 3, bishop told of young people who trav- for a new world community, and (c) gov- page 26, 1984.) ernments of all the nations our Churches RESOLUTION TO RETURN BISHOPS elled to Sudan from Uganda for his Daily Voices represent to strive for creation of just and FOR DEBATE—The Plight of the People consecration. free conditions for people of all religions to of Northern and Western Uganda (Res- Ordinations, blessings will “On their return they were arrested practice their beliefs “either alone or in olution 1.6):This Conference, acknowledg- continue for lesbians, gay men and their left ears cut off because they downside of the global economy, the community with others and in public or ing the appalling suffering of the people of Anglican policy is grounded in respect private, to manifest his (or her) religion or Western and Northern Uganda, urges the for the indigenous cultures within the were not ‘listening to the words of the devastating effect of war-arms trade, Communion. The differences of these cul- Koran,’” he said. “Before they were landmines, displaced and uprooted belief in teaching, practice, worship and government of Uganda to continue to tures has been visibly manifest in the debate released they were forced to eat their peoples. It also asserts the “urgent observance.” (UN Universal Declaration of engage in a process which will lead to peace concerning homosexuality. Within this own ears.” need” to preserve the rights of all peo- Human Rights,Article 18) with justice and without revenge, a process Justice for Women and Children diversity of the 37 Provinces there will con- Women and children victimised ple to freedom of belief and con- (Res- which would include (a) acknowledgement tinue to be ordinations of lesbians and gay olution 1.3): This Conference resolves that by all involved of their responsibility for the men living in relationship; same-sex unions In the 50th anniversary year of the science. each member Church represented make an continuation of conflict; (b) repentance for will continue to be blessed; and gay and les- United Nations Declaration on In addition, the report spells out intentional effort to (a) discover the ways in their actions; (c) providing appropriate com- bian Anglicans will continue to participate Human Rights, the bishops express the “sinful consequences”of racist and which women and children are affected and pensation; and (d) engaging in formal acts of in the full life of the Church. shock about how war and violence, cultural divisions: genocide in Rwan- victimised by the political,economic,educa- reconciliation. (The Rt Rev) Otis Charles racism and abuse of economic and da, communities threatened with tional, cultural and religious systems in RESOLUTION AMENDED TO INCLUDE San Francisco, US political power continue to severely annihilation, and Sri Lankans who which they live, (b) discover the ways in BURUNDI—The Plight of the People of which criminal elements of our societies the Sudan and Rwanda (Resolution 1.7): The Lambeth Conference 1998 victimise women and children. “disappear.” From Sudan, Uganda, South East It names racism as a “heretical ideol- victimise and exploit women and children, This Conference,expressing its horror at the Meeting in residence at The University of Kent, Asia, Sri Lanka “and across the coun- ogy,” a “false religion” and a threat to (c) raise the level of public (local, national human disaster in the Sudan and Rwanda, Canterbury, England and international) awareness about such urges that, (a) the Episcopal Church of the PRESIDENT tries of the ‘South’ [came] accounts of peace, and it reminds Anglicans of their abuses, and (d) work toward eliminating Sudan be encouraged to establish a dynam- The Most Revd and Rt Hon George Carey Archbishop of Canterbury the sexual torture and genital mutila- history as peacemakers and witnesses abuses through co-operation with existing ic network of reciprocal communications EPISCOPAL COORDINATOR OF tion of women, and the inability or who accepted no such injustice. groups such as ECPAT (End Child Prostitu- with government bodies, sympathetic Mus- COMMUNICATION unwillingness of people to fight for its “Anglicans...have been and are The Most Revd Robin Eames tion in Asian Tourism) and the monitoring lims, and non-governmental organisations, Archbishop of Armagh elimination...These abuses of basic being martyred,” the report states.“We agencies of the United Nations and World including the All Africa Conference of and Primate of All Ireland rights and dignity of people loved by think of the martyrdom of the late Council of Churches. Churches, the Anglican Consultative Coun- DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Canon James Rosenthal God and created in God’s image bring Ugandan Archbishop, Janani Luwum, Faithful Response to Aggression and cil, the Primates of the Anglican Commu- Anglican Communion Office shame on the whole human commu- the faithful witness of Archbishop War (Resolution 1.4):This Conference (a) nion, the Anglican Observer at the UN, and DIRECTOR OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS nity,”the report states. George Browne at the height of the abhors the evil of war; (b) repudiates and specialised organs of the UN and the UN The Revd Kris Lee, New York condemns the use of violence for settling Security Council; (b) the member Church- DIRECTOR OF NEWS TEAM The report mentions the widening civil war in Liberia, the prophetic wit- religious, economic, cultural or political dis- es of the Anglican Communion find ways to James Thrall, North Carolina gap between rich and poor, indigenous ness of Desmond Tutu in opposition to DIRECTOR OF SECTION COMMUNICATORS putes; (c) encourages the use of peacekeep- help provide technology, equipment, vehi- Margaret Rodgers, Sydney people and their need for advocacy,the apartheid in south Africa, the peace ing forces to prevent or forestall the escala- cles and administrative support in order to DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY efforts of the Anglican bishops in tion of conflicts, and to assist in their resolu- make publicity about the response to the Lynn Ross, Quebec Daily Quote Jerusalem...Bishop Dinis Sengulane in tion; (d) repudiates and condemns the use of urgent situation in the Sudan and Rwanda The LambethDaily Mozambique.” terrorism; (e) decries the production and possible; (c) the member Churches of the proliferation of arms, (f) commits its mem- Anglican Communion contribute as gener- Tel 82 8091 Fax 82 8092 “I have visited mass Finally, the report calls the Com- munion to go beyond living and bers to prayer, mediation, and any active, ously as possible of expertise, labour, money, EDITOR graves where thousands non-violent means we can employ to end and material goods to aid in necessary Robert Williams, Los Angeles preaching the gospel to protect current conflicts and wars and to prevent rebuilding of these nations on all levels, and ASSOCIATE EDITOR and thousands of skeletons human rights by monitoring activities Brian Thomas others; and (g) urges the nations represented (d) help be sought from existing organisa- Christchurch, New Zealand are lying in churches.” of governments and by providing the by our Churches and all those on whom we tions whose mission is the facilitation of CREATIVE DIRECTOR prophetic witness only the “Church as Marla Murphy, Los Angeles Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini, (Rwanda) have any influence whatsoever to join us in peace processes, to aid in the implementa- ART DIRECTOR moral community” can. this endeavour. tion of this resolution. Andy Day, Canterbury SENIOR CORRESPONDENTS Carol Barnwell,Texas • Jane Gitau,Kenya Daily Question STAFF WRITERS The paper for David Duprey • Bob Libby What is your diocese doing to enhance human rights? Lambeth CONFERENCE NEWS TEAM The Daily Lisa Barrowclough • Nan Cobbey • E.T. Malone, Jr Bishop David Bishop Geralyn Wolf Bishop Paul Yoon is kindly donated by Jan Nunley • Allan Reeder • Katie Sherrod David Skidmore Stancliffe (Salisbury, (Rhode Island, US) (Taejon, South Robert Horne Paper Company Ltd England) Korea) SECTION COMMUNICATORS “We have been very active in Nicola Currie • Randall Lee “Our chief concern lies with two areas. We work on conver- “Our Church has been Sarah Moore • Doug Tindal Sudan, as we are twinned sation between Christians and deeply involved with STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS with them. We support them Jews. We also have a committee human rights and social This issue of William Killough • Harriet Long Jeff Sells • Anne Wetzel in their complex and essen- on racism, which is devoted to welfare. Ten years ago Lambeth tially political struggle. It is harmony and the coming togeth- it was more of an The Daily CIRCULATION is kindly sponsored by Seminarians in residence unusual and rare, but we er of the different cultures that issue when we fought PRINTED BY have bishops living in opposing north and are present in our state. It is very important to against the government to protect and Castle Printers London Limited (0171) 436 3383 south sides who preserve communion and have these links between cultures and races so we help people. Now, there is not so much Church Publishing Visit the conference on line at support each other in this difficult time.” can embrace, rather than fear, change.” pressure, so it is not as big an issue.” www.lambethconference.org Incorporated Interviews and photos by Harriet Long The LambethDaily THURSDAY AUGUST 6 1998 3 Daily Lives
Archbishop’s greatest task is reconciliation years ago, he fled to Uganda during the 1964 civil war and lived there for 15 years. For eight years, he was Rwanda rises from a parish priest. After the genocide the Church in Rwanda had no leaders.There was a the ashes of war clash of ideas on the Church that would rebuild this Central African by Jane Gitau country. Some clergy had been provides a sense of belonging. The accused of advancing the hostilities. f we don’t face squarely the family can help in long-term plan- The Archbishop of Canterbury had “Iproblem of the orphans, we ning for this child. to step in to identify and put in place have no future,” says Bishop Alexis More than half a million of a new crop of leadership. Bilindabagabo (Gahini, Rwanda). Rwanda’s eight million people are “After you have been ill there is a And he should know. orphans.They need food, clothing, period of convalescence. You don’t Having set up the first adoption shelter and school fees. So, too, do just wake up and go to play football,” In Rwanda: John Peterson, Dr and Mrs Carey share in greeting children. centre after the genocide that saw they have emotional and psycho- Bishop Bilindabagabo says metaph- Photo: Anglican World/James Rosenthal more than a million people slaugh- logical needs. orically of the Church in his land. His greatest task is reconciliation. of Zaire and the diocesan bishop tered in his country four years ago, Yet only a thousand of these The Church has regained its credi- Some may seek revenge, others live had been elected archbishop.Within he has now joined hands with the have been linked up with foster bility and can now speak about jus- in guilt, and still others fear that a short time, 6,000 people became current leadership of the Church to families. tice and reconciliation. those who killed may do it again. Anglicans in Katanga Province but rebuild the nation. “We need to give them a sense Archbishop Reconciliation involves trust and the diocesan office was 2,000 miles His story is shocking. He was of hope and the love of God,” says Kolini went to fear. “How do you build up trust away, necessitating the appointment reported by both the Church and the Archbishop of Rwanda, Con- Rwanda from among people who intentionally of an assistant bishop. the press as having been killed when golese-born Emmanuel Kolini. the Congo in hated each other?” Archbishop For Rwanda, the question of he disappeared for three months at “We were responsible when 1997 to help Kolini asks. “I have visited mass international debt is a real issue. It the height of the war that saw broth- their parents and loved ones were rebuild a Church graves where thousands and thou- means that a country emerging er turn against brother and parents killed. Other countries sold to us Emmanuel Kolini where Christians sands of skeletons are lying in from war already owing money against their children.Then he resur- their guns for the genocide. How had shared the churches. must repay its dues, at the same time faced miraculously in Nairobi, from do we explain that God is the same body and blood of Christ in Holy “You have to help them to know borrowing more for reconstruction. where he laid down plans for post- yesterday, today and forever? None Communion, then killed each other; they are both Christians and Rwan- It also means less is available for war Rwanda. of us is innocent.” where it seemed the blood of tribal- dans and created in the image of school fees and looking after the It was then that he mooted the A product of the East African ism had become more important God,” he says. orphans and widows. idea of Barakabaho children’s homes. revival,Archbishop Kolini became a than the blood of Christ. He now Archbishop Kolini returned to For Archbishop Kolini the task The 35 workers at Barakabaho born-again Christian in 1965 while wonders what Christianity meant to the Congo in1980 after a 15-year now is to get to know his priests help link the orphans to foster fam- he was headmaster of a primary his countrymen, and where the seed absence and within eight months and bishops better and then to cre- ilies. Normally, the family consists school he had founded in a refugee of Christianity fell.“I need to under- was appointed Assistant Bishop of ate boards for social ministry that of an adult widow and any of her camp in Western Uganda. stand where my predecessors went Bukavu Diocese, within which bring both clergy and laity together surviving children or relatives. He has experienced suffering wrong so I don’t repeat the same Katanga fell. to articulate their vision of a new Adoption is cheap, cultural, and and misery as a refugee. Born 54 mistakes.” Bukavu was half of the entire size Rwanda.
Sexuality Continued from page 1 “I see no room in Holy Scripture E-mail Continued from page 1 modems or satellite dishes is illegal Technology Continued from page 1 Conference said today is to primates, or the entire Christian tradition for while in others, such as Papua New ‘Monitor this, watch this.’” any sexual activity outside matrimo- Mr Mills, who owns a commu- Guinea, new technology has allowed offers both “promise and danger,” the In comments to the plenary just ny,” he said. “The amended motion, nications consulting firm in Can- them to “leapfrog beyond Australia report asserts. before the vote, Dr Carey endorsed actually,is simply saying what we’ve all berra,Australia, joined the InterAn- because they didn’t have a legacy of “We operated under the scriptur- the resolution as standing “whole- held... Anglican belief and morality glican Information Network set up outdated equipment,” Mr Mills says. al dictum in Genesis 1:28,” Bishop heartedly with traditional Anglican stand for.” at the last Lambeth Conference and “But Trinity is keen to support new Frank Allan (Atlanta, US), subsection orthodoxy,” but also expressed his But, he said,“We are aware that we was selected to help set up the exten- work where it is wanted,” he adds. chair, notes. “Our dominion of the belief that the Church’s discussion of have to go on listening.The dialogue sive system for the Conference. Bishop Kowa intends to stay on the earth has at best been a reverent stew- sexuality will continue. continues.” More than 250 bishops have bicycle and will write a grant applica- ardship... at worst, our dominion has logged-on to send and receive e-mail tion to Trinity by e-mail from the Con- despoiled the earth.” since the Conference started, more ference. Once you learn to ride, you While the report takes note of the than a quarter for the first time. “The never forget! technological revolution that has Text of Lambeth Conference response has exceeded our estimates,” Trinity has allocated more than occurred since the last Lambeth Confer- Mr Mills says. $700,000 for 1998 to strengthen the ence-for example, the computer revolu- resolution on human sexuality One bishop was “over the moon” Church in the global south and anoth- tion, internet, unravelling of the genetic he Lambeth Conference yester- regardless of sexual orientation, are when told there was no charge for the er $250,000 to strengthen telecommu- code and cloning-it warns that “ more Tday (August 5) approved the fol- full members of the Body of Christ; service. A grant from Trinity Church, nications in the Anglican Communion. and more technological power is being lowing resolution on sexuality by a d) while rejecting homosexual practice Wall Street, has made more than 200 consecrated in the hands of fewer and vote of 526 in favor and 70 against, as incompatible with Scripture, [A36] computers and e-mail addresses and For grants information write to fewer people.” It suggests that globalisa- with 45 abstentions (italics indicate calls on all our people to minister assistance available for all bishops at the Trinity Grants Programme, 74 Trinity tion may be “ a new colonialism.” amendments). pastorally and sensitively to all irre- Conference. Place, New York,NY 10006-2088; Bishop Allan says that what con- “This Conference: spective of sexual orientation and to “My own diocesan bishop has only telephone 212.602.0710; or e-mail cerns him most is that technology a) commends to the Church the condemn irrational fear of homosexuals tinkered with e-mail,” Mr Mills says,
strife.” Through the clinic, members have helped to “incarnate hope, caring Many faces and compassion in their community.” Prayer runs throughout the mission stories, but nowhere more prominent- of outreach ly than in the Diocese of Oke-Osun, Nigeria. Its report notes:“a remarkable outcome of people’s greater disposition to prayer is the consecration of a prayer mountain for the diocese. Besides reg- ular diocesan and archdeaconry prayer The mar- sessions on Mount Aseyori, individuals ket village of and groups go there to pray.” Aylesbury, in It’s not all triumph and success. One the Diocese of photo shows a modest church in rural Oxford, is the Kyoto (Japan), built in 1929. “The pre- scene of the ancient King’s Head Inn, sent congregation, however, only num- Clockwise from main picture: 1: Pump maintenance. 2&3: The Bishop of Kensington’s once patronised by Henry VIII, now bers three. ...the rural population is not Mission Drive. 4: Habitat for Humanity, building a renovated into a Christian conference at all receptive to Christianity.To carry home for family with two children. 5: Doctors treated centre and restaurant. A restaurant? It’s out effective mission in such areas is the over 700 adults and children in a four-day clinic at San one way, says manager Andrew Clark, greatest mission challenge we now face.” Jose de la Montana. 6: Wabamkela Feeding Scheme of reaching “the God-indifferent, And, dramatically, the Diocese of by Doug Tindal (between 30 - 86 children daily) clean hands and teeth, now ready to pray and sing. unchurched middle class.” Cork (Ireland) began the Decade of n the Kensington area of London a The Aylesbury venture is one of Evangelism by closing 20 churches. It Idouble-decker bus bears the slogan their diocese, and a selection of these is In the Diocese of Alabama, four many in which ecumenical coopera- was a courageous and appropriate “2000 years since what?” In the Oke- now posted in the lobby of the Gri- congregations sent a team of two doc- tion is prominent. Similarly,in the Dio- move, but one which required great Osun, Nigeria, a mountain has been mond Building. The stories reveal tors, three nurses, three priests and cese of Monmouth (Wales) Bishop discernment. Along the way, the consecrated for prayer. In Wabamkela, some common themes. seven laypeople to San Jose de la Mon- Rowan Williams lends support to a Church recognised that one of the Diocese of Port Elizabeth, 30 to 80 Chief among these is the essential tana in Honduras.They set up a clinic fledgling Christian healing ministry,the churches scheduled for closure instead children gather daily to be nurtured in unity of mission and evangelism. The and treated more than 700 people over Well Centre in Cwmbran.And an ecu- should be renewed.The small congre- body and spirit. crest of the Diocese of Luwero (Ugan- a four-day period. menically sponsored clinic in a poor gation caught the vision and raised It’s all part of the rich variety of da), for example, symbolises its many In many cases, effective outreach section of St Augustine, Florida (US), £180,000 for a complete renovation mission in the Anglican Communion, ministries: distributing seeds and agri- requires a willingness to go beyond the shows how centring oneself in service of the building.The result: closer ties as represented by the bishops of Sec- cultural services; teaching animal hus- churchyard. Bishop Roger Sainsbury to community can bring renewal. with the community, better relations tion Two,“Called to Live and Proclaim bandry; caring for the elderly and sick; (Barking, England) conducted a per- The congregation of St Cyprian’s, with the neighbouring Roman Good News.” planting trees; fishing; operating a crafts sonal mission to the people of Haver- writes the rector, used to be “inordi- Catholic congregation, and an appro- Each bishop was asked to bring sto- shop; and, of course, preaching the ing, strolling cassocked and crosiered nately preoccupied with its own self- priate new name:The Church of the ries and photographs of mission in gospel-using words when necessary. into the pubs and round the market. preservation, discouraged, and torn by Resurrection.
Communications Continued from page 1 Words can’t describe them telecommunications director for the Episcopal Church,US;and Lesley Perry,media adviser to the The Communications Director and Staff (from left) Veronica Elks, Jim Rosenthal, Archbishop of Canterbury.Supporting these lead- Barbara Braver, Dominic Brant ers are assistants Dominic Brant and Veronica Elks. This team shares in oversight of the Lambeth Conference Communications Centre, located at the Canterbury Business School on the Univer- Spouses’ Programme Communicators sity of Kent campus. Daily work is shared among the Centre’s several units. As many as 200 requests for interviews are processed daily by Ms Harries and her team, assisted by Mark Lamour (Ireland). Mr Beaver oversees overall media relations, and hosts widely Section Communicators attended daily news conferences. A newsroom with modems and personal computers accom- With thanks to photographers: modates journalists from around the world, The Translators William Killough thanks again to the Trinity Wall Street grant. Harriet Long Other Communications units include the Lynn Ross Conference news team (led by James Thrall, for- Jeff Sells mer deputy director of news and information for The Seminarians Anne Wetzel the Episcopal Church in the United States);The Lambeth Daily (edited by Robert Williams, com- munications director for the Diocese of Los Ange- les);photographers (directed by the Ven Lynn Ross (Quebec, Canada); Section Communicators (led by Deaconess Margaret Rodgers, chief media executive of the Diocese of Sydney, Australia); seminarians led by the Rev Philip Chester (vicar of St Matthew’s, Westminster, London). Veteran UK journalist Sally Hastings coordinates commu- nications for the Spouses’ Programme. The Telecommunications Unit posts news releases, photographs, reports and The Lambeth Daily to the Conference website (www.lambeth- The Telecommunications Team conference.org).Releases appear in English,French, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish. Up to last Tues- The Conference News Team day,more than 110,000 “hits”had been received on both the Conference and Anglican Communion Office websites, reports the Rev Dr Joan Butler Ford of the telecommunications section. Bishops and others have been interviewed for various radio and television newscasts.The BBC aired the opening service from Canterbury Cathedral, and devoted a whole episode of “Songs of Praise” to the Lambeth Conference. Most of the Conference’s professional com- municators are volunteers, here at their own expense from many places around the world. Scholarships for developing-world communica- tors have been provided by Trinity Church,Wall Harriet Long, The Media Relations & Interviews Team Street, by members of the Diocese of Los Ange- Photojournalist The Lambeth Daily Team les, and by the national US Episcopal Communi- cators organisation.