Shrine Mont Episcopal Retreat Center
Orkney Springs, Virginia
Over the course of three days ending today, Lord Robin Eames, former Anglican Primate of All Ireland and Archbishop of Armagh, spoke at the Diocese of Virginia clergy conference on the subject of reconciliation. In his introduction, Bishop Peter Lee recounted Lord Eames’ contributions for the church including the Eames Report (on women’s ordination), the Virginia Report, and the Windsor Report, and in the negotiations of peace in Northern Ireland. Lee drew laughter from the crowd saying unlike Archbishops of Canterbury, Eames became Lord Eames on the basis of merit. He also drew laughter when he observed that Lord Eames was probably chagrined that in some circles the Windsor Report had taken on a status superior to the 39 Articles.
In his talks on reconciliation, Lord Eames took most of his illustrations from his experience in the Northern Ireland peace talks rather than the unpleasantness in the Anglican Communion. For his text throughout the conference he choose John 21:15-17 (Do you love me?; Yes; Feed my sheep.)
Some of his observations: