Pittsburgh Bishops to Attend Lambeth Conference
Bishops Robert Duncan and Henry Scriven confirmed today that they will
be attending both the Global Anglican Future Conference in Jordan and
Jerusalem in June and the Lambeth Conference of Bishops in Kent,
England, this July and August.
"After consulting with the people of Pittsburgh and our friends around
the globe, we have come to the conclusion that it is necessary for us to
be present at both gatherings," said Bishop Robert Duncan.
The Global Anglican Future Conference is focused on moving forward with
the work and witness of the church even as the crisis in the Anglican
Communion over discipline and biblical authority continues. It brings
together hundreds of bishops who have, as a matter of conscience,
decided not to attend the Lambeth Conference, as well as other bishops
who believe that global partner****ps and the current conflicts
necessitate their presence at both meetings. Among those going to
Jerusalem and Jordan are many of the strongest sup****ters of orthodox
Anglicans in North America. "We will be among friends, focused squarely
on the Gospel, and dealing openly with how we build the missionary
relation****ps, covenantal boundaries and responsible structures for the
future of Anglicanism," said Bishop Duncan.
Bishops Duncan and Scriven will then join some six-hundred bishops and
archbishops (about two-thirds of all Anglican bishops) who will be
attending the Anglican Communionıs once-a-decade Lambeth Conference of
Bishops. "Given the expense and the stated-intent of the Archbishop of
Canterbury that Lambeth can no longer be considered a decision making
council of the church, choosing to be present was not easy," said Bishop
Duncan. In an effort to limit costs connected to the meeting, an
estimated $12,000 per attending bishop and spouse for the entire
two-and-a-half week Lambeth Conference, Bishop Duncan will attend July
16-25 and Bishop Scriven will attend July 26 - August 3.
Both bishops believe it is im****tant that the diocese be represented
throughout the Lambeth Conference, if for no other reason than to
provide an alternative perspective on the situation in The Episcopal
Church. "Those who accuse us of abandoning the Anglican Communion will
certainly be present and vocal. It is im****tant for us to be able to
respond directly to their claims about the situation in The Episcopal
Church and our place in the Communion," added Bishop Duncan. As with the
Global Anglican Future Conference, both Pittsburgh bishops will also
work to strengthen missionary partner****ps with bishops from every
corner of the world.
Bishop Scriven asked that Pittsburgh Episcopalians pray for both
meetings. "We hope that many join us in praying for Godıs clear presence
and guidance in the Holy Land and Canterbury. With God, all things are
possible," he said.
-posted May 6, 2008-
--
Charles Hohenstein (to reply, remove Gene Robinson)
"The sad huddle of affluent bedwetters, thumbsuckers,
treehuggers, social climbers, homophiles, quavery ladies,
and chronic petition signers that makes up the current
Episcopal Church . . ." -Thomas Lipscomb
|
