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Service opens Lambeth Conference Service opens Lambeth Conference
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of Anglican bishops have attended a special service at Canterbury Cathedral to mark the opening of the Lambeth Conference.Hundreds of Anglican bishops have attended a special service at Canterbury Cathedral to mark the opening of the Lambeth Conference.
The meeting has been overshadowed by controversy, with the Communion deeply divided about homosexuality after a gay man was made a bishop in the US.The meeting has been overshadowed by controversy, with the Communion deeply divided about homosexuality after a gay man was made a bishop in the US.
About 250 bishops, a quarter of those invited, have boycotted the event. About 250 bishops, a quarter of those invited, have boycotted the conference.
Critics claim the conference, which will hold its first formal session on Monday, will be unable to end the row.Critics claim the conference, which will hold its first formal session on Monday, will be unable to end the row.
Undermining unityUndermining unity
Bishops representing Anglicans in 160 countries had arrived in Canterbury the previous week for three days of quiet reflection.Bishops representing Anglicans in 160 countries had arrived in Canterbury the previous week for three days of quiet reflection.
They gathered in the Cathedral for Holy Communion and heard a sermon from a Sri Lankan bishop. They gathered in the cathedral for Holy Communion and heard a sermon from a Sri Lankan bishop.
The issue of homosexuality will not be formally discussed until the end of the conference, and no resolution will be held - a move criticised by traditionalists.The issue of homosexuality will not be formally discussed until the end of the conference, and no resolution will be held - a move criticised by traditionalists.
The Church's mission and evangelisation, human sexuality, social justice, the environment and violence against women will also be discussed.The Church's mission and evangelisation, human sexuality, social justice, the environment and violence against women will also be discussed.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has acknowledged that the Communion's problems are unlikely to be solved during the conference.The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has acknowledged that the Communion's problems are unlikely to be solved during the conference.
Why have people decided that they want to change the faith that has been delivered to the saints? Keith Ackerman Bishop of Quincy, Illinois
But he criticised those bishops who have stayed away for undermining unity.But he criticised those bishops who have stayed away for undermining unity.
Those who will not attend include the Anglican leaders of Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and a group of countries in southern South America.Those who will not attend include the Anglican leaders of Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and a group of countries in southern South America.
The most senior Church of England figure to stay away is the Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali. The most senior Church of England figure to stay away is the Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali.
The debate about homosexuality in the Anglican Church has followed the consecration in the US of the openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire, the Rt Rev Gene Robinson. Keith Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy, Illinois, said he sympathised with conservative views but wanted to attend the conference so his point of view could be heard.
He told BBC News: "Why have people decided that they want to change the faith that has been delivered to the saints?
"So often those who are maintaining what Anglicanism has always taught are seen as the ones that have to be defensive.
"My question is why do you want to change that which you have vowed to uphold by virtue of the promises you made at your ordination?"
The debate about homosexuality in the Anglican Church has followed the consecration in the US of the openly gay Bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson.
Bishop Robinson will be present on the fringes of the conference, which is being held at the University of Kent.Bishop Robinson will be present on the fringes of the conference, which is being held at the University of Kent.
The controversy over his appointment led Dr Williams not to invite him to attend.The controversy over his appointment led Dr Williams not to invite him to attend.