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[ Back to index of November articles ] Windsor Report calls for expressions of regret See also: By Jim Naughton The panel convened to avert the break-up of the Anglican Communion chided both the Episcopal Church and the chief critics of its position on homosexuality, and called on both parties to express "regret" for actions taken during the controversy that erupted after the election of an openly gay man as the bishop of New Hampshire. The "Windsor Report," issued last month by the Lambeth Commission on Communion lays the blame for the crisis that has polarized the Communion on two parties: the Episcopal Church, for consecrating Gene Robinson, a gay man who lives with his partner, as bishop of New Hampshire and granting dioceses a "local option" on the blessing of same-sex relationships; and the Diocese of New Westminster in Canada, which also blesses same-sex relationships. "We cannot avoid the conclusion that all have acted in ways incompatible with the Communion principle of interdependence, and our fellowship together has suffered immensely as a result of these developments," said the commission in a report endorsed by all 17 of its members. The report also chastises, although not by name, primates such as Peter Akinola of Nigeria, Henry Orombi of Uganda and Gregory Venables, whose province includes much of the southern half of South America, for interfering in the Episcopal Church's internal affairs or authorizing their bishops to do so. "This goes not only against traditional and often-repeated Anglican practice (as reaffirmed most recently by, for example, resolutions at Lambeth 1988 and 1998), but also against some of the longest-standing regulations of the early undivided church," the report said. The much-anticipated report, authored by a panel of primates, bishops and scholars from across the Communion, was released before a noon news conference in the crypt of London's St. Paul's Cathedral on Oct. 18, almost one year after the Commission was appointed by Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, at the request of the 38 primates of the churches that make up the Anglican Communion. The Commission recommended a moratorium on the consecration of gay bishops and on the authorization of "public rites" for blessing same-sex relationships. It "invited" the Episcopal Church and bishops who had authorized rites for same-sex blessings to "express regret that the proper constraints of the bonds of affection were breached by such authorization. "Pending such expression of regret," the report continued, "we recommend that such bishops be invited to consider in all conscience whether they should withdraw themselves from representative functions in the Anglican Communion." The commission also called upon bishops who had intervened in the U.S. or Canadian churches to express regret for the consequences of their actions, affirm their desire to remain in the Communion, and observe a moratorium on any further interventions. The Commission did not recommend removing Robinson from his position, but suggested that the Archbishop of Canterbury "keep the matter of his acceptability under close review" and that the Archbishop "exercise very considerable caution in inviting or admitting him to the councils of the Communion." Nor did the report create a separate non-geographic province for Episcopalians who are at odds with the church over its stance on homosexuality, as some conservatives had hoped. Instead, commissioners endorsed as "reasonable," a plan for alternative episcopal oversight when there has been "an extreme breach of trust" between a parish and its diocesan bishop. The plan was adopted by the U.S. House of Bishops in March, but characterized by critics of Robinson's consecration as "dead on arrival." Bishop John Bryson Chane, who consecrated Robinson and authorized the development of a rite of same sex union which has been in use in the diocese for five months, complied quickly with the report's most high-profile recommendations. "The Commission has invited those of us who took part in the consecration to express regret that the constraints of the bonds of affection were breached in the events surrounding Gene's election and consecration," Chane said at an Oct. 18 press conference at Washington National Cathedral. "I accept this invitation, and express my sadness that actions we undertook in good conscience - actions which gave hope to one alienated and marginalized population - have themselves engendered alienation and made others feel marginalized. This was not our intent. We lament this result and I commit myself to participating fully and energetically in the process of reconciliation through dialog and discernment which is outlined in the Commission's report. "I recognize, too that in developing a rite for the blessing of same sex unions, I have caused pain," he added. "I want to say with all humility, that this was not my intent. It remains puzzling to me that no one objects to my baptizing the children of gay parents, blessing their home, their car and their dog, yet I cannot bless the loving relationship which makes this family's life possible without upsetting so many of our Anglican brothers and sisters. Yet the Commission has determined that this is the case, and so, again, I want to express my regret for breaching the Communion's bonds of affection. (See Bishop Chane’s statement) Chane said he would observe a personal moratorium on blessing same sex relationships while the Communion was studying the issue, providing that "there's a time certain of ending," to the discussion. Asked whether he would insist that clergy observe a moratorium, Chane said he had made his own decision, and trusted clergy to do the same. However, he said he would not "police" them. Several primates, including conservative members of the Commission, issued statements endorsing the report as worthy of careful study. However, Akinola, who has announced his intention of forming a Nigerian-governed church in the United States, denounced the report and rejected its recommendation that he express regret. "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," Akinola said. "We have been asked to express regret for our actions and 'affirm our desire to remain in the Communion.' How patronizing!" he added. "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." In addition to suggesting ways of reconciling factions within the Communion, commission members also recommended means for dealing with issues that might divide the Communion in the future. These include strengthening the position and expanding the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The commission proposes that the Archbishop have a council of advice that would "considerably enhance the foundations of any authority on which [he] might feel truly enabled to act." It also suggests that Anglicans devise and adopt a "covenant" that spells out areas of common agreement beyond which no province should tread. This suggestion would take years to develop and adopt, but could be one of the report's more significant recommendations because it would commit each of the 38 provinces in the Communion to provisions that limit the provincial autonomy that the Episcopal Church invoked in ordaining women to the priesthood and the episcopate and in consecrating Robinson. The Primates' Standing Committee and the Standing Committee of the Anglican Consultative Council, meeting in London, issued statements praising the report and commission chair the Most Rev. Robin Eames, Primate of Ireland. "There is much in this report which is challenging, but it points us in a sound direction for the resolution of current tensions," said the statement from the primates' group. "We are conscious of the concerns of those groups whose expectations have not been met, but we are very encouraged by the broad welcome and support that the report has received from many throughout the Communion." The Primates will consider the report at a meeting in Newcastle, Ireland in late February. The Anglican Consultative Council will receive the report when it meets in Nottingham, England, in June 2005. The bishops of the Episcopal Church will meet in Salt Lake City, Utah, Jan.12-13, 2005, to "study and appropriate the work of the Commission." Contact Jim Naughton at jnaughton@edow.org [ Back to index of November articles ]
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