Press Releases18 May 05

Archbishop Eames comments on the way ahead for Anglicanism

Archbishop Robin Eames, Chairman of the Lambeth Commission which produced The Windsor Report has commented on the way ahead for Anglicanism

Addressing a diocesan clergy meeting in Armagh the Archbishop said:

"The search for a theology of communion is the obvious priority for Anglicanism at this time. The current crisis over sexuality issues is only a part of a wider and deeper challenge to the Anglican Communion. The much-publicised differences between the Provinces on sexuality while argued on a basis of principle are only an example of the deeper question which confronts the entire Communion. The question of how Provinces relate to each other, how differences are addressed and how the highest degree of communion between Provinces is reached and maintained relate to much more than questions of sexuality. They point to how much we value communion and how essential communion is for autonomous Provinces.

"Put in other words what the Windsor Report and the recent meeting of Primates sought to address was ?what cost communion and understanding??

"A theology of relationships is now the main challenge for our Communion. A theology of what makes for relationships, what quality of relationships is essential for true communion and what Scripture says about relationships is the real basis for that search. On the result of that search will depend much more than a solution of our current differences over sexuality."