wfn.org | ACNS3612 Changing Attitude issues Global Open Letter

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3612     |     ENGLAND	|     7 OCTOBER 2003 

Changing Attitude issues Global Open Letter

Changing Attitude, an organisation working for Lesbian and Gay
affirmation in the Anglican Church, has issued a Global Open Letter
urging the Primates "to avoid any course of action which might lead to
schism or the fragmentation of the Anglican Communion".

As the 38 Primates of the Anglican Communion prepare to meet at Lambeth
Palace in London from 15-16 October, Changing Attitude is urging them
"to pursue Jesus Christ's call that we may be one".

Dr Williams has called the Primates together in response to the strength
of feeling evoked by the confirmation of Canon Gene Robinson as bishop
of New Hampshire by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church of
the United States.

The letter, signed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and several bishops, spoke
of "seeking an inclusive, open church where there is generous space for
lesbian and gay people, catholics and evangelicals" and asked for
serious attention to be drawn towards "bridging cultural and theological
differences".

Mindful of the Archbishop of Canterbury's request for a period of calm
reflection, listening and dialogue, Changing Attitude "pray that the
Primates will open themselves to the heart of God, a heart which is
loving, tender and infinitely generous and forgiving...[and] pray that
they will be attentive to the voices of faithful, loving lesbian and gay
voices in every part of the Anglican Communion".

The Global Open Letter was signed by:

- Archbishop Desmond Tutu 
- The Rt Revd Dr Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester 
- The Rt Revd Penny Jamieson, Bishop of Dunedin, NZ 
- The Rt Revd Richard Lewis, Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich 
- The Rt Revd Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hulme 
- The Rt Revd Michael Ingham, Bishop of New Westminster 
- The Rt Revd Robin Smith 
- The Rt Revd Michael Doe, Bishop of Swindon 
- The Rt Revd Christopher Ssenyongo, retired bishop of West Buganda,
Uganda 
- The Most Revd Andrew Hutchison, Archbishop of Montreal 
- The Revd Sister Una Kroll 
- The Rt Revd Caleb J Lawrence, Bishop of Moonsonee, Canada 
- The Rt Revd John Salt, Bishop of St Helena

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