c. 2004 Religion News Service
(UNDATED) Reaction to Monday’s release of a long-awaited report addressing a growing schism over homosexuality within the worldwide Anglican Communion:
“You cannot impose reconciliation. Reconciliation comes when people want it to be a reality”
_ Irish Archbishop Robin Eames, who issued the 92-page report
“You have given all of us work to do and you do not suggest any shortcuts.”
_ Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Anglican Communion
“I don’t think anybody’s hands are tied. There’s nothing authoritative about this. It binds no one.”
_ Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, where same-sex unions have been allowed in at least one diocese
“It treats those on all sides of the issue who have helped to create this division fairly, and asks the provinces and dioceses to cease the actions that are furthering the divisiveness in the church today. Our mission is to seek to serve God and the ministry of Jesus Christ in the world, a task which we can do much better together in unity than we can bitterly divided.”
_ Bishop J. Mark Dyer, a professor of theology at Virginia Theological Seminary and the lone American member of the Eames Commission.
“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.”
_ Episcopal Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, leader of the U.S. church
“If the recommendations of our report are not taken seriously, then the question of our future together in the Anglican Communion will remain and greater division will result.”
_ Archbishop Bernard Malango, primate of the Anglican Church of Central Africa and a member of the Eames Commission.
“The Anglican Communion is a wonderful family, but they’ve emphasized family to the seeming neglect of many other factors, one of which is truth.”
_ The Rev. Kendall Harmon, a South Carolina leader of the conservative American Anglican Council
“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.”
_ Bishop John Bryson Chane of Washington, D.C., who was among bishops who consecrated V. Gene Robinson as an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire.
“What I’m disappointed about is that the report assumes the Episcopal Church is healthy enough to police itself, and for 30 years the Episcopal Church has been doing its own thing. For this report to take a gentle and even genteel view that the Episcopal Church will turn back is unrealistic.”
_ Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, moderator of the Anglican Communion Network of Dioceses and Parishes.
“This report needs to be pondered long and hard by the provinces of the Communion and its implications studied before reacting in any precipitate way. The subtleties of the report may not be noticed on first reading. However, if the way forward advocated by this report is found unacceptable then the future for the Anglican Commuion is indeed bleak.”
_ Archbishop Barry Morgan, primate of the Anglican Church of Wales and a member of the Eames Commission.
“There is so much here which can build up and nurture our common life. We have the chance to make this a win-win opportunity. We must grasp this chance with both hands.”
_ Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of South Africa, speaking at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington
MO END RNS
