Since his tour of 38 province visits earlier this year, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has been wondering aloud about the future of the Anglican Communion and its internal relationships. The Huffington Post and the Religion News Service both report today on an interview that the Archbishop gave recently to The Times of London, in which he is quoted as saying
I think, realistically, we‘ve got to say that despite all efforts there is a possibility that we will not hold together, or not hold together for a while. I could see circumstances in which there could be people moving apart and then coming back together, depending on what else happens.
Welby cited differences of opinion over the ordination of women as bishops, and the full inclusion of LGBT people in ordained ministries and marriage rites, as issues challenging to the Communion. Of his visit to the Episcopal Church in the USA, the article concludes,
He described a visit to the U.S. as “a real gift in terms of communication. At least there was understanding why we disagreed with each other when we disagreed rather than simply disagreeing and not understanding each other.”
The full interview can be found in The Times online, but continues behind a paywall.
Posted by Rosalind Hughes