Lambeth Briefing 1

Important happenings since Lambeth began:

1. The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the USA has once again (in an interview) denied that the Bible is authoratative, but claims that the Word of God is a moving target to be interpreted on an ad hoc basis. Read the whole interview here.

2. Ruth Gledhill has reported that plans are afoot for some fifth "instrument of unity" in the Anglican Communion that would be some sort of international canon law blueprint, and would include some sort of moderate-conservative plan for oversight of conservative parishes in America in conjunction with the Episcopal Chruch.

3. NT Wright said that there was mistrust between the different factions over who was going to make the next significant move. “It’s like a very odd game of cards,” he said. “We’re all being very civil and talking politely, but people are wondering who is going to play which card next and hence what responses may be possible.” Bishop Wright added that the summit was lacking direction and questioned how effective it would be. “There’s a sense that we’re all not quite sure where this is going. That’s the mood of the conference. It is gloriously confusing at the moment and slightly worrying in that one has no idea what’s actually going on.”

4. The openly homosexual Bishop Robinson was not allowed to participate in Lambeth's Episcopal House of Bishops meeting.