
THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION AND HOMOSEXUALITY
The Windsor Report by the
Lambeth Commission on Communion

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Overview:
The Lambeth Commission on Communion was created by Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury -- the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican
Communion -- in 2003-OCT. Its basic goal was to find ways by which Anglicans can
agree to disagree by preventing schism of the Communion over the question of homosexuality. On 2004-OCT-18 the Commission's 92 page
"Windsor Report" was released to the public. 1,2
Reactions were not long in coming.

Conclusions of the Commission:
Quoting from the report:
"The Commission regrets that without attaching sufficient importance to the
interests of the wider Communion:
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the Episcopal Church (USA) proceeded with the consecration of Gene
Robinson. |
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the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church (USA) declared that
'local faith communities are operating within the bounds of our common life
as they explore and experience liturgies celebrating and blessing same-sex
unions.' |
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the Diocese of New Westminster approved the use of public Rites for the
Blessing of same sex unions. |
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the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada issued a statement
affirming the integrity and sanctity of committed same sex relationships. |
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a number of primates and other bishops have taken it upon themselves to
intervene in the affairs of other provinces of the Communion." 8 |

Comments and recommendations:
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On elections to the episcopate: |
Referring to the election and confirmation of Bishop Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire, they stated:
 |
"By electing and confirming such a candidate in the face of the concerns
expressed by the wider Communion, the Episcopal Church (USA) has caused deep
offence to many faithful Anglican Christians both in its own church and in
other parts of the Communion." |  |
"In view of the widespread unacceptability of his ministry in other
provinces of the Communion, we urge the proposed Council of Advice to keep
the matter of his acceptability under close review.....to exercise very
considerable caution in inviting or admitting him to the councils of the
Communion." |  |
"We recommend that:
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the Episcopal Church (USA) be invited to express its regret that the
proper constraints of the bonds of affection were breached in the events
surrounding the election and consecration of a bishop for the See of New
Hampshire, and for the consequences which followed, and that such an
expression of regret would represent the desire of the Episcopal Church
(USA) to remain within the Communion. |
 |
pending such expression of regret, those who took part as
consecrators of Gene Robinson should be invited to consider in all
conscience whether they should withdraw themselves from representative
functions in the Anglican Communion.... |
 |
the Episcopal Church (USA) be invited to effect a moratorium on the
election and consent to the consecration of any candidate to the
episcopate who is living in a same gender union until some new consensus
in the Anglican Communion emerges." 9 |
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Considering that:
 |
It was in 1975 when the first province -- the Anglican Church of Canada
-- authorized the ordination of women. And yet over 30 years later only a
bare majority of provinces will allow female priests. |
 |
It was in 1989 when the first province -- the Anglican Church of New
Zealand -- consecrated the first female bishop in the Communion. Yet by
1997, only five out of 38 provinces -- Aotearoa, Canada, New Zealand, Polynesia and the U.S.
-- had actually consecrated
bishops. |
|
It would probably take a sizeable fraction of a century at least before one might
expect a "new consensus in the Anglican Communion" concerning bishops in
a loving, committed, same-sex relationship.
 |
On public rites of blessing of same-sex unions: |
They stated:
"The clear and repeated statements of the Instruments of Unity have also
been to advise against the development and approval of such rites. Whilst
proponents of actions in the Diocese of New Westminster and the Episcopal
Church (USA) may argue that such advice has only moral authority, we believe
that it must be recognised that actions to move towards the authorisation of
such rites in the face of opposition from the wider Anglican Communion
constitutes a denial of the bonds of Communion. In order for these bonds to
be properly acknowledged and addressed, the churches proposing to take
action must be able, as a beginning, to demonstrate to the rest of the
Communion why their proposal meets the criteria of scripture, tradition and
reason. In order to be received as a legitimate development of the
tradition, it must be possible to demonstrate how public Rites of Blessing
for same sex unions would constitute growth in harmony with the apostolic
tradition as it has been received.
They recommended:
 |
"...a moratorium on all such public Rites, and recommend that bishops
who have authorised such rites in the United States and Canada be invited to
express regret that the proper constraints of the bonds of affection were
breached by such authorisation." |
 |
"Pending such expression of regret, we recommend that such bishops be
invited to consider in all conscience whether they should withdraw
themselves from representative functions in the Anglican Communion." |
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"...that provinces take responsibility for endeavouring to
ensure commitment on the part of their bishops to the common life of the
Communion on this matter." |
 |
that "...all provinces that are engaged in processes of discernment
regarding the blessing of same sex unions to engage the Communion in
continuing study of biblical and theological rationale for and against such
unions." |
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that "...any demonising of homosexual persons, or their ill treatment, is
totally against Christian charity and basic principles of pastoral care. We
urge provinces to be pro-active in support of the call of Lambeth Resolution
64 (1988) for them to 'reassess, in the light of study and because of our
concern for human rights, its care for and attitude toward persons of
homosexual orientation'." 10 |
|
Civil rights for homosexuals, of course, do not include being considered
for senior positions of authority in the provinces.
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On care of dissenting groups:
The Commission recommended special action be taken for those individual
dissenting Anglicans, parishes and dioceses "as a result of decisions
made and actions taken by autonomous provinces within which there is
profound disagreement."
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They recommended that
"In only those situations where there has been an extreme breach of
trust, and as a last resort, we commend a conditional and temporary
provision of delegated pastoral oversight for those who are dissenting.
This oversight must be sufficient to provide a credible degree of
security on the part of the alienated community, so that they do not
feel at the mercy of a potentially hostile leadership. While the
temporary provision of pastoral oversight is in place there must also be
a mutually agreed commitment to effecting reconciliation." 11 |
This arrangement would typically have two
bishops functioning in the same diocese: -- a "home" bishop for most of the
membership, and an "intervening" bishop who would minister for those persons
unable to handle equal treatment of gays and lesbians. This is a unique
arrangement in which two bishops would be ministering in the same geographic
area.
The intent in this accommodation would be to
have the intervening bishop withdraw as soon as possible. |

Initial responses:
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The Most Rev'd Bernard Malango, Primate of Central Africa:
He wrote: "I welcome the publication of the Windsor Report. I was
privileged to be part of the Lambeth Commission, and despite some very
honest exchanges, we were able to come together as a Commission to offer
what I believe represents a genuine way forward for the future of the
Anglican Communion....I am glad to see a recognition in this report of the
fact that the Episcopal Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) and
the Diocese of New Westminster, in acting as they did, did breach the bonds
of affection that hold us together.....I hope that we will all pray for
God's help in finding his way forward, and that everyone will read the
report with careful consideration of our proposals." 3 |
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The Most Rev'd Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal
Church, USA: He wrote: "As Anglicans we interpret and live the gospel
in multiple contexts, and the circumstances of our lives can lead us to
widely divergent understandings and points of view. My first reading shows
the Report as having in mind the containment of differences in the service
of reconciliation. However, unless we go beyond containment and move to some
deeper place of acknowledging and making room for the differences that will
doubtless continue to be present in our Communion, we will do disservice to
our mission....For at least the last 30 years our church has been listening
to the experience and reflecting upon the witness of homosexual persons in
our congregations. There are those among us who perceive the fruit of the
Spirit deeply present in the lives of gay and lesbian Christians, both
within the church and in their relationships. However, other equally
faithful persons among us regard same gender relationships as contrary to
scripture. Consequently, we continue to struggle with questions regarding
sexuality....As Presiding Bishop I know I speak for members of our church in
saying how highly we value our Communion and the bonds of affection we
share. Therefore, we regret how difficult and painful actions of our church
have been in many provinces of our Communion, and the negative repercussions
that have been felt by brother and sister Anglicans....Throughout our
history we have managed to live with the tension between a need for clear
boundaries and for room in order that the Spirit might express itself in
fresh ways in a variety of contexts." 4 |
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The Most Rev'd Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury: The
Commission has not only produced a report but a unanimous one and that in
itself counts as a considerable achievement and a sign of hope....I
hope...that everyone with the well being of our Communion at heart will now
take time to study the report - and to pray and reflect upon its proposals
which, as the Commission has made clear, offer neither easy nor simple
solutions to real and demanding challenges. If we are serious about meeting
those challenges, as I know we are, then we have to do all we can to
continue to travel this road together....there is plenty to digest and there
should be no rush to judgement. We want voices round the Communion to be
heard and we will be putting in place a careful and wide-ranging process for
gathering responses. 5 |
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The Most Rev'd Njongonkulu Ndungane, Archbishop of Cape Town and
Metropolitan of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa: He wrote:
"This is a substantive Report which requires careful consideration. It
provides the Anglican Communion with space for reflection, dialogue and
reconciliation. I call on all parties involved to take that process
seriously, so we can restore a deeper unity to our Communion, and continue,
with increased concord and purpose, the mission of Christ's Church....I am
particularly struck by the emphasis that has been given to the delicate
relationship we must sustain between autonomy and interdependence. As the
Report says, 'Communion is, in fact, all about mutual relationship.' ....Our
God promises to work for good in all circumstances, for those whom he loves
and calls. Let us respond to his loving call by working with him so that he
may bring a greater good out of the pain of our current circumstances." |
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The Most Revd Andrew Hutchison, Archbishop and
Primate, Anglican Church of Canada: He wrote: "...The Commission['s]...mandate
was to maximize Communion within the worldwide Anglican family despite
significant theological differences....It is significant that the Commission
has submitted unanimous recommendations in spite of the cultural and
theological differences of its members. This indicates that there is a
positive will to maintain the unity of the diverse Anglican Communion. The
fact that Commission members can speak with one voice holds open the door of
hope that our Church can, with prayer and dialogue persevere in seeking
unity." |
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The Most Revd Peter Akinola, Primate
of All Nigeria: He wrote: "...the report falls far short of the
prescription needed for this current crisis. It fails to confront the
reality that a small, economically privileged group of people has sought to
subvert the Christian faith and impose their new and false doctrine on the
wider community of faithful believers. We have watched in sadness as sisters
and brothers who have sought to maintain their allegiance to the 'faith once
delivered to the saints' have been marginalized and persecuted for their
faith. We have been filled with grief as we have witnessed the decline of
the North American Church that was once filled with missionary zeal and yet
now seems determined to bury itself in a deadly embrace with the spirit of
the age. Instead of a clear call for repentance we have been offered warm
words of sentimentality for those who have shown no godly sorrow for their
actions and harsh words of condemnation for those who have reached out a
helping hand to friends in need of pastoral and spiritual care....Where
are the words of 'deep regret' for the impact of ECUSA's actions upon the
Global South and our missionary efforts? Where is the language of rebuke for
those who are promoting sexual sins as holy and acceptable behaviour? The
imbalance is bewildering. It is wrong to use equal language for unequal
actions....We have been asked to express regret for our actions and 'affirm
our desire to remain in the Communion'. How patronizing! We will not be
intimidated. In the absence of any signs of repentance and reform from those
who have torn the fabric of our Communion, and while there is continuing
oppression of those who uphold the Faith, we cannot forsake our duty to
provide care and protection for those who cry out for our help." |

References:
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The text of the "The Windsor report 2004," is at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
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"A brief summary of the Windsor Report's main findings," The
Jamestown Cross, at:
http://www.southernvirginia.anglican.org/
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"Statement by the Most Rev'd Bernard Malango, Primate of Central Africa,
on the release of the Windsor Report 2004," Anglican Communion News Service,
2004-OCT-18, at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
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"Statement from The Most Revd Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop of the
Episcopal Church..." Anglican Communion News Service, 2004-OCT-18, at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
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"Statement from the Archbishop of Canterbury on the Windsor Report,"
Anglican Communion News Service, 2004-OCT-18, at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
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"Statement on the Windsor Report from the Most Revd Njongonkulu Ndungane....,"
Anglican Communion News Service, 2004-OCT-18, at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
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"Statement on the Windsor Report from the Primate of the Anglican Church
of Canada," Anglican Communion News Service, 2004-OCT-18, at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
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"General Findings," Commission on Communion, at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
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"On elections to the episcopate," Commission on Communion, at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
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"On public Rites of Blessing of same sex unions," Commission on Communion, at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/
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"On care of dissenting groups," Commission on Communion, at:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/

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Copyright © 2005 & 2006 by Ontario
Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2006-JUN-24
Author: B.A. Robinson

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