wfn.org | [ENS] Archbishop of Canterbury Statement on Windsor Report

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 From the Archbishop of Canterbury: A Statement on the Windsor Report

Episcopal News Service
Issue:
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Posted: Monday, October 18, 2004
Corrected:
[ENS, Source: Anglican Communion News Service]	As you know Archbishop 
Robin Eames has presented to me the report of the Commission he has been 
chairing and which was published earlier today. Now that it is in the 
public domain, I wanted to say a few words as President of the Anglican 
Communion, on whose future working arrangements of course the report focuses.

The first thing I want to express is my immense gratitude to Archbishop 
Eames and the team he has led. Their task was never going to be a simple or 
straightforward one and he has led the work with typical energy and 
devotion. The Commission has not only produced a report but a unanimous one 
and that in itself counts as a considerable achievement and a sign of hope.

I hope too that everyone with the well being of our Communion at heart will 
now take time to study the report - and to pray and reflect upon its 
proposals which, as the Commission has made clear, offer neither easy nor 
simple solutions to real and demanding challenges. If we are serious about 
meeting those challenges, as I know we are, then we have to do all we can 
to continue to travel this road together.

Within the Church of England we too will want to consult and reflect and as 
Archbishop of Canterbury I shall need to play an appropriate role in that 
process.
So, there is plenty to digest and there should be no rush to judgement. We 
want voices round the Communion to be heard and we will be putting in place 
a careful and wide-ranging process for gathering responses.

I too will continue to pray study and reflect on the report and to seek 
God's guidance on the fundamental aim of strengthening our understanding 
and commitment to our common life. I share the Commission's longing for a 
renewed and re-energised Communion, better able to work in co-operation. 
May God help us to move towards that goal in faithfulness and confidence.

The Most Rev. Rowan Williams
Archbishop of Canterbury
Lambeth Palace