The former Sydney Archbishop said blame for this tragedy must be laid at the feet of those who defied the overwhelming majority view expressed in the 1998 Lambeth Conference. It is fatuous to criticize those who stood with the orthodox in the successive Provinces who have compromised the faith of the church on fundamental matters. It is not the orthodox who have changed the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

"Fault must also be attributed to those who have tried well beyond the allowable time, to heal the wound of the people lightly, 'saying Peace, Peace where there is no Peace'. No doubt some of this is genuine, though if it were thoroughly so, it would include at least equal treatment for the orthodox as well as for the innovators. But that has never been the case.

"Instead, it looks for all the world as though the alleged peace-makers are secretly favoring a compromise which will concede the case to the new teaching. Too often the story has been that the Bible is (allegedly) not clear on this matter, or that although we must maintain that marriage is between a man and a woman, we can allow civil relations in order to honor loving relationships. Thus, the biblical and tradition witness is destroyed, not by the radicals but by the 'leaners', those who lean in favor of change."

Jensen called this a tragedy, but the Lord, he said, is able to turn our tragedies into his victories. "At the great Gafcon gathering in Jerusalem this year, the theme was 'Proclaiming Christ faithfully to the nations.' A friend of mine who was at the Conference was so inspired by the theme and the challenge that she explained the gospel fearlessly to a class she attends. If the courage and spirit of this faithful sister represents the outcome of the conference and the future of Gafcon, we will see that the Lord has not abandoned his people, but rather intends to bless us still. The Nigerian Church, too, is pointing the way."

END