Lambeth Conference 1998

Lambeth Conference 1998
Name	Lambeth Conference 1998
Date	1998
Location	Lambeth Palace, London
Participants	Primates and bishops of the Anglican Communion
Chair	George Carey
Notable events	Resolutions on human sexuality, pastoral care, communion relations

Lambeth Conference 1998 was the tenth decennial assembly of bishops of the Anglican Communion held at Lambeth Palace in London under the chairmanship of George Carey. The meeting addressed doctrinal, pastoral, and organizational issues affecting provinces such as the Church of England, Episcopal Church (United States), Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Church of Australia, and churches in Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, and the Church of Ireland. Delegates debated resolutions with implications for relations involving entities like the Primates' Meeting, Anglican Consultative Council, World Council of Churches, Roman Catholic Church, and World Methodist Council.

Background and preparations

Preparations drew on reports from bodies including the Anglican Consultative Council, Lambeth Commission on Communion, Faith and Order Commission, Joint Standing Commission on Doctrine, and national synods of provinces such as the General Synod of the Church of England, the General Convention (Episcopal Church), and the General Synod of the Church of Ireland. Planning involved leaders such as George Carey, Desmond Tutu, Archbishop of Canterbury, and secretariat staff connected to the Anglican Communion Office. Issues traceable to events like the consecration controversies in the Episcopal Church (United States), ecumenical dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church and Orthodox Church, and social debates in societies represented by Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, and Canada shaped agendas. External influences included statements from bodies such as the United Nations, International Anglican Women’s Network, GAFCON precursors, and theological inputs from scholars tied to Oxford University, Cambridge University, Yale Divinity School, Harvard Divinity School, and Princeton Theological Seminary.

Participants and agenda

Attendees included bishops from provinces like the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, Church in Wales, Episcopal Church of Brazil, Church of Pakistan, Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, Church of the Province of Central Africa, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, and the Anglican Church of Korea. The agenda listed plenary sessions, committee meetings, and pastoral workshops referencing documents from Canterbury Commission, theological papers from Trinity College, Toronto, and reports previously submitted to the Anglican Consultative Council. Notable figures present included primates and bishops connected to Jefferts Schori, Rowan Williams, Michael Ramsey-era commentators, and elders from provinces influenced by leaders such as Peter Akinola, Ephraim Adebola, John Sentamu, Tom Wright, and Desmond Tutu. Ecumenical guests from the Roman Catholic Church, World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, and delegations linked to the Methodist Church of Great Britain attended alongside observers from institutions such as United Bible Societies, Anglican Women's Network, and the Christian Aid consortium.

Key discussions and resolutions

Major debates centered on resolutions regarding human sexuality, pastoral care, and ecclesial order with propositions referencing theological authorities like Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, Richard Hooker, Nicholas Ridley, and contemporary theologians from Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Deliberations produced formal outcomes on same-sex unions, the interpretation of Scripture, and the authority of tradition influenced by statements resonant with positions from the Episcopal Church (United States), the Anglican Church of Canada, and conservative provinces such as Nigeria and Uganda. Committees examined pastoral responses drawing on precedents from the Church of England General Synod and ecumenical texts previously negotiated with the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church. Resolutions also covered issues of mission and evangelism in contexts including Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Sudan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, and Philippines and affirmed commitments to social justice initiatives linked to Oxfam, Tearfund, and the Anglican Alliance.

Controversies and reactions

Controversy erupted over statements addressing sexuality and ecclesial discipline, provoking responses from primates such as Peter Akinola, Benjamin Nzimbi, John Rucyahana, and leaders in the Episcopal Church (United States). Media coverage spanned outlets in The Times (London), The Guardian, The New York Times, BBC News, CNN, and religious periodicals like The Church Times and The Living Church. Reactions included pastoral letters from bishops, public statements by archbishops connected to George Carey and Robin Eames, and mobilization by activist groups such as Integrity (Episcopal Organization), The Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans precursors, and conservative networks that later informed GAFCON. Diplomacy among primates led to proposals discussed at later gatherings such as the Primates' Meeting and the Anglican Consultative Council.

Outcomes and impact on Anglican Communion

Outcomes included resolutions that affected inter-provincial relations, prompting covenant proposals and doctrinal clarifications taken up by the Lambeth Commission, the Archbishop of Canterbury's office, and bodies like the Anglican Communion Office and Primates' Meeting. Impacts manifested in strained communion between provinces such as the Episcopal Church (United States) and conservative provinces including Nigeria, Kenya, and Uganda, influencing decisions at later events like the Canterbury Pilgrimage and synods of the Anglican Church of Canada and Anglican Church of Australia. The conference influenced ecumenical relations with the Roman Catholic Church and dialogues with the World Council of Churches, and catalyzed internal movements related to ordination debates involving figures connected to Jefferts Schori, Rowan Williams, and prominent bishops from Southern Africa.

Legacy and subsequent developments

The 1998 assembly shaped subsequent initiatives including the drafting processes that led to the Anglican Covenant proposals, the formation of networks culminating in GAFCON and the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans, and the agenda of later Lambeth gatherings and primatial meetings. Its legacy is reflected in later events such as the Primates' Meeting 2003, the consecration controversies of the Episcopal Church (United States), litigation involving dioceses in United States provinces, and renewed dialogues with the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church. The conference remains a touchstone cited in debates within seminaries like Ridley Hall, Cambridge, Westcott House, Wycliffe College, Toronto, and theological journals including Anglican Theological Review and Modern Churchman.

Category:Anglican Communion