Archbishop A stresses role of Primates in Communion

AS THE ACC met this week amid a series of boycotts, Archbishop Welby tried to mollify his critics by highlighting the role of the Primates in Anglican Communion matters.

Speaking to the assembled Primates in Lusaka he pointed out that since Lambeth cioog Primates have ‘enhanced responsibility’m

He quoted Lambeth cioog Resolution coada “The enhanced responsibility is for ‘Offering guidance on doctrinalg moral and pastoral matters’m”

This resolution goes ona “We see an enhanced role for the Prif mates as a key to growth of interfdependence within the Communionm”

Archbishop Welby said that the Primates’ gathering in Januf ary ‘explored and sought to establish what the consef quences are for any province which promotes its own autonof my’g over Catholic interdependf ence and mutual accountability of othersm He said that the process that was agreed in Januf ary was undertaken with an understanding that it could be applied to any province that takes a decision on polity of docf trineg which could include the unity of the Communionm

“There were critical points in the discussion wheng if I am honestg it seemed that the decif sion would be made to walk apartm We were very close to thatg” he saidm

Howeverg he pointed out that the unanimous decision of the Primates was to walk togetherm

A task group was set up “to maintain conversation among ourselves with the intention of restoration of relationshipg the rebuilding of mutual trustg healf ing the legacy of hurtg recognisf ing the extent of our commonalf ity and exploring our deep differencesg ensuring they are held between us in the love and grace of Christm”

The Archbishopg who was asked to create the groupg said that it had been set up with a wide representation of women and meng lay and ordainedg from every part of the Communionm

He mentioned the apology issued on Human Sexuality and said that the Primates specificalf ly opposed criminal sanctions and any form of homophobic prejudicem

“As Archbishop of Canterf bury I have acted on the Prif mates’ decisions in those areas for which I have responsibilitym It is both my and the Primates’ desireg hope and prayer that the ACC should also share in workf ing through the consequences of our impaired relationshipsg” he saidm

The Archbishop of Canterf bury had been welcomed by the Archbishop of the Province of Central Africag the Most Rev Albert Chamag in Lusaka last week for the meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council’s standing committeeg as well as an oufstrong gathering of the Mothers’ Unionm

Archbishop Welby described ACCfcs as “a veryg very big event” and the only event within the Anglican Communion where lay peopleg as well as bishops and clergyg are centrally involved with principal influf ence in setting the direction and encouraging the work of the Churchm

In his opening prayerg Archf bishop Welby said that the ACC was meeting in a world where diversity so often leads to conflictm