COMMENTARY: What happens at Lambeth doesn’t stay at Lambeth

When Anglican bishops unpack memories of their 2008 Lambeth Conference, one recollection they will handle gingerly is that of Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, humbly accepting their standing ovation at its onset. That was before things got nasty. Anglicanism’s problems are on every religion’s laundry list. The constellation of Lambeth issues forms an interesting pattern. […]

When Anglican bishops unpack memories of their 2008 Lambeth Conference, one recollection they will handle gingerly is that of Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, humbly accepting their standing ovation at its onset. That was before things got nasty. Anglicanism’s problems are on every religion’s laundry list. The constellation of Lambeth issues forms an interesting pattern. Catholics and other Christians might connect the dots and see an outline of their own controversies. Meanwhile, in decoding Lambeth, the world’s 70 million Anglicans will see considerations that matter to the rest of Christianity.

(Phyllis Zagano is senior research associate-in-residence at Hofstra University and author of several books in Catholic Studies.)


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