Anglican Primates argue over who stayed away from Rome, and why
by Hattie Williams, Church Times:
CONSERVATIVE Anglican leaders have challenged the authority of the Primates’ Meeting in Rome last week, arguing that it is no longer representative of the worldwide Communion.
Since its formation in 2008, the Gafcon grouping (Global Anglican Future Conference) has argued against the liberalising of attitudes towards sexuality. This week, however, it argued about something more basic: numbers.
At a press conference on Thursday at the end of the Primates’ four-day meeting, the Archbishop of Canterbury reported that 32 Provinces were represented at the meeting and nine were absent. At least two of the absentees sent letters in support, and personal reasons were given for absence. He admitted, though, that others had declined to attend out of conscience, which he described as “very, very grievous” (News, 2 May).
The final communiqué, issued shortly afterwards, expressed regret: “We could not help but feel keenly the absence of friends and colleagues who were unable to be with us, for a variety of reasons, at this Primates’ Meeting. We seek their contributions to our continuing discernments about the faith and order of the Communion.”
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