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ACNS 3457     |     USA     |	  4 JUNE 2003

Communiqui from a Consultation of Anglican Contextual Theologians

[Episcopal Divinity School] A consultation of Anglican contextual
theologians was held from 13 to 16 May at the Episcopal Divinity School in
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Thirty four theologians from twenty two
countries participated in the consultation.

The aim was to establish a voluntary network of Anglican Contextual
Theologians (ACTs network). The network will provide a forum for multiple
theological voices within Anglicanism to be heard and acknowledged and will
advance resources for theological education and leadership formation for the
Anglican Communion.

The consultation took the form of group and plenary discussions around
definitions and methodologies of contextual theology. The consultation also
identified death-dealing issues of particular concern to members' contexts
and their relevance for theological education. Four key issues were
discussed including: the dehumanising effects of poverty; globalisation and
its marginalising effects on small nations states; the HIV/AIDS pandemic;
and war and violence. Challenges of interfaith realities were also
considered.

The participative and open process adopted by the consultation itself
reflected an evolving theological method, resulting in a broad
conversational agenda for the group. To this end the consultation sought to
develop a working understanding of the nature of contextual theology and its
potential contribution to the life of the Anglican Communion.

The overwhelming majority of participants in the consultation agreed that
contextual theology emerges out of an engagement with economic, political,
and social realities that deeply inform issues of identity and culture.
Contextual theology is rooted in a critical and communal reading of the
Bible that seeks to discern the presence of the life-giving God in a
suffering world. It affirms and uplifts the role of women in the theological
enterprise. It is a reflection on Gods transforming action in an
increasingly globalised world. It is prophetic and critical, hopeful and
life affirming. It participates in Jesus solidarity with the marginalised
and privileges their voices. It is a theology that fosters engagement and
action.

The consultation believes that our Anglican Contextual Theologians network
can provide a valuable resource for the churches of the Anglican Communion.
It will encourage contextual theological reflection among other bodies of
the Anglican Communion (such as but not limited to: the Inter Anglican
Standing Commissions on Mission and Evangelism, Theology and Doctrine, and
Ecumenical Relations, the Anglican Consultative Council and the Primates
Meeting), and will help to foster theological conversations and reflection
within and between provinces and at local levels. The network will seek to
engage further discussions with, and supply resources for, theological
education institutions across the Anglican Communion.

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