The Australian Church Record, number 1884, October 2004, has been released.
The ‘Eames Commission’, or more correctly, ‘the Lambeth Commission on Communion’, will soon deliver its recommendations. The report was called for by the Archbishop of Canterbury in October 2003 in response to (a) the consecration of a practicing homosexual priest as a Bishop in ECUSA; and (b) the decision by the diocese of New Westminster to authorise services for the blessing of same-sex unions.
The Commission was asked to consider the maintenance of communion, in the wake of such actions taken in violation of Lambeth 1998 and, more importantly, historic and biblical Christianity. The recommendations are expected to deal with two basic issues. Firstly, where will those disaffected by the actions find alternative Episcopal oversight? Such provisions are already in place in various parts of the communion to deal with the problems left in the wake of the ordination of women. There are difficulties, however, about whether all bishops in ECUSA will accept such provisions. Other alternatives are already becoming available, such as the offer of oversight from outside ECUSA, and the establishment of a body that some suspect as a real contender for ECUSA’s position in the Anglican Communion, namely, the Network (see Gavin Poole’s report, p.6).
Secondly, what can be done regarding disciplinary action? Proposals include the exclusion of provincial representation at the Primates Meeting, the Lambeth Conference, and/or the Anglican Consultative Council – which some see as the instruments of unity in the communion. Some provinces, such as Uganda and Nigeria, have already unilaterally broken fellowship with the ECUSA and/or New Hampshire. The question is also being asked whether the recommendations of the commission could be applied in situations other than that arising with respect to homosexuality. The discussions within Sydney Diocese of Lay administration of the Lord’s Supper have been mentioned in this connection.
Both the actions of ECUSA and New Westminster, and the potential ‘disciplinary action’, raise serious questions for churches within the Anglican Communion. The gospel is a grass roots operation, so the most important level of Anglican organization is that of the lay ministries emerging from local congregations. The loose connection of the local churches with some loose worldwide body is historical. But what exactly is the connection? What happens when a couple of members of this loose body depart from Christian tradition, and what happens when some arms of this loose body flex their muscles in response? How much is the gospel mission of Christ at the local congregational level affected?
The report will be published on 18th October, and then discussed by various bodies within the communion. Check our website after that date for an analysis of the Report.