The Lambeth Conference

Bishop Geoffrey and Bishop David have both accepted the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury to attend the Lambeth Conference. This is the 14th Lambeth Conference, the first being in held in 1867. Some 650 of the 880 bishops invited have accepted the Archbishop’s invitation. The bishops will meet at the University of Kent, Canterbury, from 16 July to 3 August.

The shape of the conference will be different from previous events. (Bishop Geoffrey attended the 1998 Conference as Bishop of Basingstoke, and Bishop David, then Director of Ecumenical Affairs for the Anglican Communion attended as staff). The design for 2008 has deliberately avoided western and parliamentary styles of meeting. At the heart of the process will be daily indaba groups. Indaba, a Zulu word refers to a gathering for purposeful discussion in which each voice is heard and the perspectives of all are considered. The daily themes are founded upon an exploration of Anglican identity and the ministry of the Bishop as leader of the Church’s mission; Bishops Geoffrey and David look forward to bringing to these discussions the stories of the life of our own diocese, and the ways that God is working among us.

Archbishop Rowan has asked both our bishops to help him host two of the over 60 ecumenical guests at the conference. Bishop Geoffrey will be the host of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the Primate of the North American Diocese of the Armenian Orthodox Church, based in Los Angeles. Bishop David will be the host of Archbishop John Bathersby, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Brisbane, and the RC Co-chairman of the International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission on Mission and Unity.

Bishop David will also be chairing a session for bishops who wish to attend on “Full Communion Agreements: Mutual Accountability and Difference”. He has also been asked to be a facilitator for one of the bible study groups which meet each morning, which will look at the great “I AM” statements in St John’s Gospel.

The Diocese in Europe is contributing in significant other ways to the Conference: 

• The Revd Canon Ian Hutchinson Cervantes, the Chaplain of St George’s Madrid will be part of the team of interpreters.
• Ms Ozichi George, a member of St Alban’s Strasbourg will be part of the team of stewards and assisting with interpretation.
• Ms Frances Hiller, Bishop David’s Lay Chaplain, will be part of the secretariat to the Conference.

Dr Colleen Hamid will be attending part of the parallel Spouses’ Programme, which is being hosted by Dr Jane Williams.