The suggestions included the development of a formal covenant agreement by which individual Anglican provinces would promise to act in union with the Anglican Communion as a whole on fundamental matters of faith and morals; the establishment of a "faith and order commission" that would provide guidance on matters of doctrine and morality; and the establishment of a "pastoral council" to address conflicts between provinces.

The outcome of the July 16-August 3 Lambeth Conference "in many respects was positive", ...[Canadian Monsignor Donald] Bolen said.

"A sense of direction emerged which was largely, but not universally agreed, and which should translate into greater cohesion within the Anglican Communion, giving it stronger boundaries and a stronger sense of identity."

In addition, he said, the Catholic participants at Lambeth were encouraged by the "strong support" shown for the call for moratoriums on blessing same-sex unions, on ordaining openly gay bishops and on violating the structure of the Anglican Communion by naming bishops outside one's own jurisdiction.

The practice has occurred when conservative Anglican provinces have named bishops for traditionalist Anglicans in the United States, where the US Episcopal Church has shown greater openness to homosexuals and has ordained women priests and bishops.

Because the Anglican Communion has no strong central authority like the Pope, because the Lambeth Conference does not have legislative powers and because the jurisdictional authority of the Anglican archbishop of Canterbury is limited, "at best the conference indicates a direction," Msgr Bolen said.

"We went into the Lambeth Conference in a wait-and-see mode and we came out of it with some encouragement, but still waiting," he said.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • Lambeth 2008 • * Religion News & Commentary • Ecumenical Relations • Other Churches • Roman Catholic

1. Athanasius Returns wrote: Msgr. Bolen stated (in reference to the July 16-August 3 Lambeth Conference) “A sense of direction emerged which was largely, but not universally agreed, and which should translate into greater cohesion within the Anglican Communion, giving it stronger boundaries and a stronger sense of identity.”  This is in contradistinction to the sense of indirection noted by many Lambeth attendees from both sides of the divide.  The rest of the article is weak on details, IMHO. August 20, 9:38 am | [comment link]

2. Jeffersonian wrote: The problem is that support for the two gay-oriented moratoria came from those who are not predisposed to violate said moratoria, with the remainder committed to immediately and openly do so.  The boundary-related moratorium, being dependent on the other two, is hence a dead letter.  So, in every respect, we are back to where we started, just $11 million lighter in the wallet. August 20, 10:46 am | [comment link]

3. adhunt wrote: I think it interesting that it was the Orthodox who are far more supportive and much less suspicious of us Anglicans.  If there is a future (re)union that could take place it seems to me it would be with our Eastern siblings before it would be with Italy. August 20, 12:54 pm | [comment link]

4. Nikolaus wrote: Unlike Rome, the Orthodox do not always speak with one voice.  They also seem to avoid speaking in absolutes.  With those observations made, I would disagree with your assessment adhunt.  The Russians in particular pose a real problem for Anglicans. August 20, 1:14 pm | [comment link]

5. adhunt wrote: That’s true.  I sometimes over-exaggerate.  Perhaps I should say I feel much more comradery with the Orthodox that I know.   I do not think it has been for no reason that we have been called the “nearest of the Western churches” though.  Thanks for the correction August 20, 1:19 pm | [comment link]

6. dwstroudmd+ wrote: Damning with very faint praise, methinks.  So long organic reunion been nice to daydream about ye. August 20, 3:05 pm | [comment link]

7. rob k wrote: The RC Church continues to trust that the Holy Spirit will impel us towards eventual unity. August 21, 1:53 am | [comment link]

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