wfn.org | An open letter from primates of the Anglican Communion

[Daphne Mack <dmack@dfms.org>]

99-034
An open letter from primates of the Anglican Communion to the Most 
Reverend Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop of E.C.U.S.A

Dear Brother in Christ,

We write as Primates and Archbishops of the Anglican 
Communion in the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Reformed Church, 
having assembled last year for the Lambeth Conference at 
Canterbury. We give thanks to Almighty God for granting us that 
opportunity for consultation, determination and expression of our 
common mind in the Anglican Communion.

At this time of decision we send to you, your fellow 
bishops, and all the members of the Episcopal Church of the United 
States of America our most cordial greetings. Grace to you and 
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is with joy that we recall how blessed our beloved Communion 
is with growth in its witness to God's Word around the world. We 
rejoice too in the fellowship of prayer and faith we enjoyed together 
in Canterbury as a family united across the nations. We are conscious 
of the issues of moral and theological importance with we have engaged, 
including international debt, economic development, ecumenism and 
inter-faith relations. It is our prayer that we will now go forward
mutually 
strengthened in a common resolve to undertake together the great work of

evangelization and renewal in Christ to which we are called.

The study of scripture together, at Lambeth, was a special 
source of inspiration to us all. In St. Paul's second letter to 
the Corinthians there was much to encourage us, but also a stark 
warning: "Examine yourselves, to make sure you are in the faith." 
The words contain a challenge from which none of us should shrink. 
It is our earnest prayer for the Church that where anything is 
amiss God will reform it and where it is in error God will correct 
it.

We know it is in the thoughtful and prayerful study of the 
Bible and the careful application of its message that we can 
sustain our common life and deepen our faithfulness. Resolution 
III.1 bears witness to this. It recognises afresh the primary 
authority of the Holy Scriptures and calls us "to promote at 
every level biblical study programmes which can inform and nourish 
the life of dioceses, congregations, seminaries, communities and 
members of all ages." There is here a task that can involve us 
all and can deepen our unity in mind as well as in heart.
It is our prayer and commitment that as a Communion we may 
hold together "by mutual loyalty sustained by the council of 
bishops in Conference." None of us can rightly ignore the 
fellowship in the Spirit which the Lambeth conference represents. 

Each Province is accountable to the whole Communion. True 
Christian freedom lies within the compass of truth and love and 
not in the satisfaction of mere autonomous desire.

It is therefore with sorrow and disappointment that we have 
heard from different parts of our Communion statements at variance 
with what was resolved at Lambeth. Some even appear to repudiate 
resolutions before they are fully published. We realise that this 
situation has affected you deeply. We know too that there are 
leaders within your own Province who do not wish to follow, and in 
the past have even broken, the teachings reaffirmed at Lambeth. We 
think of the resolution disavowing any action against bishops who 
in conscience cannot ordain women to Holy Orders. We think with 
particular concern of Resolution I.10 stating that, "this 
Conference, in view of the teaching of Scripture, upholds 
faithfulness in marriage between a man and a woman in lifelong 
union, and believes that abstinence is right for those not called 
to marriage," and that our Communion "cannot advise the 
legitimising or blessing of same sex unions nor ordaining of those 
involved." It is our concern that we should work sensitively and 
pastorally in full recognition of this resolution which affirms 
the Gospel welcome, as well as the Gospel obedience and Gospel 
hope. Regardless of sexual orientation, all are loved by God and 
nothing can cut us off from the love of Christ. The Church must 
listen to all her members but they must listen to the Church as 
well. For, to echo the words of Archbishop Carey, we must listen 
not only to each other, but also to Scripture. We must seek to 
bring healing to every kind of brokenness with both the compassion 
and the truth of our Lord.

Fidelity to Christian truth cannot be reduced to aspiration; 
it entails definite and present obligations. Our particular 
responsibilities oblige us to say that the continuance of action 
at variance with the Lambeth resolutions, within your own or any 
other province, would be a grievous wrong and a matter over which 
we could not be indifferent. We therefore ask you, dear brother, 
to examine the directions apparently proposed by some in your 
Province and take whatever steps may be necessary to uphold the 
moral teaching and Christian faith the Anglican Communion has 
received. In doing this you will have the prayers and support of 
us all and you will bring healing and renewal to your church.

The best hope for preserving the fullness of our unity in 
one Communion is found for each of us in drawing closer to our 
common Lord and Saviour and in prayer and intercession together. 
We write this letter in the cause of such unity and koinonia. Our 
aim is fraternal for we believe that within our family of faith 
heart should speak to heart and speak the truth in love. Reticence 
should not prevent us from speaking lovingly, openly and directly. 

We take to heart the words quoted by his Grace the Archbishop of 
Canterbury in his Pastoral Letter "Be perfect, be of good 
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and 
peace shall be with you." May God give us light to guide us, 
courage to support us and love to unite us always. AMEN

David M. Gitari, Archbishop of Kenya
Richard H. Goodhew, Archbishop of Sydney
Emmanuel M. Kolini, Archbishop of Rwanda
Ghais A. Malik, President Bishop, Jerusalem & the Middle East
Donald L. Mtetemela, Archbishop of Tanzania
Maurice W. Sinclair, Presiding Bishop of the Southern Cone 
of America
Moses Tay, Archbishop of South East Asia
Colin F. Bazley, Presiding Bishop of the Southern Cone
1989-95