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Exchange of letters between the Most Revd Drexel Gomez, Primate of the
West Indies and member of the Lambeth Commission on Communion and the Most Revd Robin Eames, Primate of All Ireland and Chair of the Lambeth Commission on Communion
7 May 2004
The Most Revd Dr Robin Eames
Dear Robin,
Thank you very much for your letter to the primates, providing some
update on the work of our Commission, and drawing our attention to some
important guidelines on the way in which the Communion may assist the
process established by the Primates at their meeting in London last
October.
Whilst your letter made some important and valuable points, to which I
hope we will all give attention, I felt that the call for restraint
appeared to be addressed only to those who take objection to recent
developments. Surely, in this grave situation, all sides need to give
space for the Commission's work.
There is no small feeling amongst conservative members of the Communion that they are being asked to show restraint whilst the liberal agenda moves ahead, with bishops in ECUSA taking action against conservative parishes; the Church of Canada proceeding to debate the blessing of same sex unions; dioceses in the Episcopal Church actually going forward with the authorisation of such rites, and the appointment of known advocates of same sex unions to senior office in the Church of England.
This is only likely to create a situation where the playing field is perceived as skewed - conservative reaction is held back, whilst liberal
viewpoints are allowed to claim too much territory. It creates the
question in many minds, "Why should we wait, if others are not showing
the same restraint?" I should be grateful therefore if some way could be
found of addressing this question, and pointing out to our Communion
that in the period of preparation of the work of the Lambeth Commission, restraint needs to be shown on all sides, and provocation to "precipitate action" avoided.
I look forward to our next meeting and continue to pray that we may find Christ's will for his church in our deliberations.
Sincerely in our Lord,
The Most Revd Drexel W Gomez
Archbishop of the West Indies
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14 May 2004
Dear +Drexel,
Thank you very much for your reply to my letter to the Primates. Of
course, you are quite right: in asking for the Communion to hold back
from precipitate action, the Primates were asking for space for the
Commission's work by all sides to this debate.
I take very seriously indeed the points you make, and consideration will have to be given to events across the Communion which seem to take further controversial positions on the issue of ministry by and to homosexual persons.
It makes it more difficult for conservatives on this issue to hold back
from strong reaction if they are faced with what can be seen as
continuing provocation.
I am sure that the Commission, as far as their loyalties to their own provincial processes will allow, would join me in asking all sides to refrain from action which prejudices the status quo as it was in October 2003, and that means being prepared to hold back from advancing controversial causes until, as a Communion, we have begun to discern publicly the way in which to handle the issues which divide us, in a way which strengthens and does not damage our discipleship and witness.
END
