Press Releases25 Jul 08

Interviews from Lambeth: The Bishop of Connor

Interviews from Lambeth: a series of interviews with the Church of Ireland bishops attending the conference

The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Revd Alan Abernethy

In the third in a series of Lambeth Conference interviews to Church of Ireland Press Officer, Paul Harron, the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Revd Alan Abernethy, describes his first Lambeth experience so far.

PH: You have been a bishop for a year and this is your first Lambeth: what expectations did you take with you?

BAA: I didn’t know what to expect and in fact I was rather apprehensive. I knew that it would be a learning process and that I wanted to come and listen. I had been busy right up to the time of departure, so I was nearly exhausted before I got here. The retreat at the beginning of the conference was, therefore, a very good starting point.

PH: And what words come to mind in describing the conference so far?

BAA: Stretching, exhausting, disturbing, enriching, exciting, energising. I’m experiencing a huge mix of emotions.

PH: Why ‘disturbing’?

BAA: We are having to deal with very difficult issues. The Bishop of Harare’s commentary on stories of persecution in Zimbabwe, for example, is painful. There is, of course, the sexuality issue. I am struck by the complexity of the matter: it is not simple and not just theological. For many, there are huge cultural difficulties, and the importance of history and tradition – continuity – is hugely important to the survival of the church in some places. I am hearing from people from the Far East as well as cultural stories from Sudan in my time here. I do have a strong sense of this being a Communion in pain – that it has been wounded; this strikes an obvious chord with me as a pastor.

PH: So, how is this being worked through? Some media reports from the conference seem to have indicated that the process doesn’t allow enough time to get through it?

BAA: I feel that the ‘indaba’ process is being well handled and providing a safe space, where trust and relationships are established so that we can actually hear each other. It is actually very difficult for everyone to be heard and some aren’t sure what to say. For myself, it has reinforced my listening skills – facilitating others actually helps my own thinking too. Victoria Matthews (see also interview with Archbishop John Neill) is our indaba group’s ‘animateur’ and she has indicated that we can have more time and as much space as possible. Time pressures can be frustrating, and not everyone understands the process, wanting to get to talk about the sexuality issue, yet the whole Communion has to work it through and hear everyone here. I feel that there is a genuine attempt to find a way through; the style is good, it is demanding and tiring, but helpful and full of energy.

PH: Beyond bible studies and indaba groups, what else have you been doing?

BAA: There are great opportunities for meeting people socially, making friendships and useful longer-term links. I have talked with Bishop Hilary from Yei in Sudan, which is a Connor link diocese, as well as Bishop Brian Smith from Edinburgh, another Connor link diocese. I’ve also chatted with the Bishop of Melbourne who has led on the Arrow Leadership Programme which will inform our own clergy training in Connor.

On Wednesday night, the Archbishop of Canterbury and his wife hosted a social gathering at the Old Palace in Canterbury, where I met up with my old friend the Bishop of Maidstone who has worked on ‘first expressions’ children’s ministry – again this will be useful to us at home.

I have met Bishop Tom Wright of Durham and chatted theology over breakfast, which is a huge bonus. Here is someone whose books I’ve read and whom I’ve admired and respected for a long time. I am looking forward to the session he will be taking later on. Similarly, it’s been interesting to meet the Bishop of Cape Town, South Africa, for example. I am genuinely impressed by the sheer talent of theological minds within the Anglican Communion.

There have been other sessions to ‘plug into’. I chaired a session on the economics of climate change, sponsored by Christian Aid. The speaker was Andrew Simms, Policy Director and Head of the Climate Change Programme of the New Economics Foundation, who spoke powerfully on the issue of the earth’s heating, which is literally a gun to the world’s head.

There was also the hearing on the Windsor Report on Wednesday. The formality of this compared with the ‘indaba’ process did make me consider and question the model of synodical church government and its effectiveness in dealing with complicated issues. The synodical style juxtaposes strong positions and the middle ground doesn’t fully express itself.

My wife, Liz, is here, too, and it’s good to be able to share this with her. I know that in fact it will be after the conference that I will start to ‘unpack’ it all and that will take months. Through the Spouses’ Programme, she has enjoyed events such as walking the outdoor labyrinth, which she has shared with a Franciscan.

PH: Others have commented on the quality of the worship – what are your impressions?

BAA: I have found the worship exhilarating. It is fantastic to hear other languages and witness other cultures. Like others, I was moved by last Sunday’s worship in Canterbury Cathedral, with the arrival of the Gospel Book in a Gospel boat – I couldn’t help thinking that we could do something similar with a ‘curragh’ in Ireland. To hear the choir and the beat of bongo drums within this ancient place of worship where the stones themselves speak was humbling. It is a huge privilege to be part of it.

PH: How would you summarise your thinking at the moment?

BAA: There is an incredible mix here. I feel like I am part of history and it is humbling. I do sense deep pain, however, and we have a real task ahead of us – we can’t pretend that that’s easy, but of course who knows what the Holy Spirit can do and there is a palpable sense of energy amongst us.