Live: talking sex

By Jim Naughton

Today is the day that liberals in the Anglican Communion have feared ever since the schedule for the Lambeth Conference was released. The bishops of the communion, most of whom oppose the blessing of same-sex relationships and the ordination of gay clergy, are discussing homosexuality. Will they restate Resolution 1.10 from the 1998 Lambeth Conference which found homosexual behavior incompatible with Scripture? Would they go further? Would punitive measures be put in place to punish provinces that support the full inclusion of gays and lesbians in the life of the church?


It is too early to answer those questions conclusively, but as the morning gets underway here, these fears seem unfounded. In a videotaped message to the bishop, the Most Rev. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said that today “is not about revisiting or revising [1.10],” which still represents the view of most people in the communion. “It is It was also about how we engage sensitively with one another.”

Williams. He said that the 1988 Lambeth Conference had called on members of the communion to discuss the issue of homosexuality “with depth and dispassion.”

The question of sexual morality is essentially about how human beings glorify God in the … most integral way they can in their personal lives,” Williams said.

In their indaba groups the bishops will focus on the following questions:

How has the Communion’s engagement with same sex issues impacted my diocese’s participation in God’s mission?

What do I need from my fellow bishops to enable me to be true to my role as a leader in God’s Mission?

What I am I prepared to offer my fellow bishops to help them?

It has always been clear that this conference was not going to rescind Lambeth 1.10, but if liberal bishops can build on yesterday’s discussions about varying methods of interpreting Scripture, it may yet create a small space in which those who hold a differing view can comfortably stand.

Or not. More later.

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