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Global South Primates Condemn Actions of Episcopal Church's General Convention. Lambeth silent
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
July 23, 2012
A communiqué from the Global South Primates meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, condemned the Episcopal Church for decisions made at the 77th General Convention to authorize a liturgy for blessing same-sex unions. "This action confirms our disappointment that The Episcopal Church has no regard for the concerns and convictions of the vast majority of Anglicans worldwide."
"We stand in solidarity with our brethren in the Communion Partners who have dissented from this action. We uphold them in prayer and support them in fellowship as they continue in their commitment to the evangelical faith and catholic order of the Church, as expressed in their Minority Report known as The Indianapolis Statement.
"We also appreciate and support all the faithful in Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) as well as those in the Anglican Church in Canada who remain true to our biblical and historic faith."
To date, Lambeth Palace has not responded to e-mails requesting a reaction to the passage of Resolution A049 (same-sex liturgies). The Anglican Communion Office has also not issued a statement.
Both the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, and Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion Office (ACO), London, have attended previous general conventions of the Episcopal Church. They were notably absent from this one.
The primates affirmed their place and role in the Anglican Communion. "We deeply respect and appreciate our historical and spiritual relationship with the See of Canterbury. We have written to the Crown Nominations Commission with concerns from the Global South and important principles for consideration as it nominates candidates for the appointment of a new Archbishop of Canterbury."
The theme of the Primates Conference was calling the Church to "Be Transformed by the Renewing of the mind to Obedience of Faith for Holistic Mission in a Radically Changing Global Landscape, offering our sanctified bodies and renewed minds as living sacrifices for our Lord's glory."
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