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Sydney's lay, clergy leaders back Lambeth boycott
By Market-Place
March 12, 2008
Sydney's Archbishop Peter Jensen (PHOTO: Worldwide Photos) Sydney's Archbishop Peter Jensen ...tells his diocese's leaders he is taking a stand alongside five primates who were also not accepting the invitation to the Lambeth gathering.(PHOTO: Worldwide Photos)

The senior leadership of Sydney's Anglican diocese has given strong support to the decision by Archbishop Peter Jensen not to attend this year's Lambeth Conference.

While the move drew widespread criticism, the first meeting of Sydney Synod's Standing Committee held after the boycott was announced in February, resolved that it "wholeheartedly supports the Archbishop and his Bishops in their decisions ... recognising the cost to them of such decisions."

Earlier the archbishop told the meeting the bishops had "come to the firm view that for us the best action is not to attend (Lambeth), as a matter of conscience and pastoral care to those who have needed to dissociate themselves from Bishops and Churches."

The Archbishop told the meeting he was taking a stand alongside five primates who were also not accepting the invitation to the Lambeth gathering.

The five are Archbishop Peter Akinola (Nigeria), Archbishop Emmanuel Kolini (Rwanda), Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi (Kenya), Archbishop Henry Orombi (Uganda) and Archbishop Greg Venables (South America's Southern Cone Province).

"Given the fellowship we enjoy which these leaders and their people it is inconceivable that we should not join them in standing aside," Archbishop Jensen said. "We must support those who have been so courageous."

The motion passed 'overwhelmingly' by the Standing Committee gave "thanks to God for the unreserved commitment to biblical teaching of the archbishop and his bishops."

GAFCON changes plans

Instead of going to Lambeth Sydney bishops will take part in the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON), an alternative gathering of conservative bishops and lay Anglicans to be held in the Middle East in June.

However, after criticism of the plan to stage the GAFCON event in Jerusalem, planners have now re-organised the dates and venues.

Visiting Australia last month, Jerusalem's Anglican Bishop, Suheil Dawani, argued the GAFCON would "import inter-Anglican conflict" into his diocese and be "disastrous" for his ministry in the Holy Land.

Bishop Dawani met with Archbishop Peter Jensen during his visit which also took him to Melbourne and Adelaide.

Originally to be held June 14-22 in Jerusalem, GAFCON will now be staged in two sections, a 'consultation' in Jordan June 18-22 followed by a 'pilgrimage' to Jerusalem June 22-29.

Details of the changes were announced February 20 on the conference website.

In a statement on the GAFCON website Archbishop Jensen says organizers "are very grateful for the feedback that we have received on the many complex issues that confront us."

Bishop Suheil Dawani is optimistic this year's Lambeth conference could ease international tensions within the Anglican Church.

"I hope that at Lambeth we can witness a new era of coming together and put our differences aside," Bishop Dawani told The Melbourne Anglican newspaper.

"If we have differences, we have to discuss it internally in good spirit, because our people are looking to us. If our people see division, and we are not coming with a good spirit, it will affect their spirit, and their lives.

"We don't want to be an obstacle for our people. I hope that Lambeth will get a new spirit for Anglicans all over the world."

SEE ALSO:

* Sydney Boycotts Lambeth (12 February 2008) :

* Lambeth not optional for Anglican bishops (12 February 2008)