This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7541027.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lambeth Conference: Readers' views Lambeth Conference: Readers' views
(about 7 hours later)
The Lambeth Conference has drawn to a close. The 10-yearly gathering got off to a shaky start when more than 200 conservative bishops announced a boycott. Issues such as the ordination of gay priests have caused rifts in the Communion.The Lambeth Conference has drawn to a close. The 10-yearly gathering got off to a shaky start when more than 200 conservative bishops announced a boycott. Issues such as the ordination of gay priests have caused rifts in the Communion.
Four Anglicans discuss the events of the past three weeks and share their thoughts about the future of the Church.Four Anglicans discuss the events of the past three weeks and share their thoughts about the future of the Church.
Read what our panellists said before the conference startedRead what our panellists said before the conference started
Bob MacDonaldVictoria, Canada "There has been some meeting of minds at Lambeth"William AkuAbuja, Nigeria "Divisions in the Church will continue " Bob MacDonaldVictoria, Canada "There has been some meeting of minds at Lambeth"William AkuAbuja, Nigeria "Divisions in the Church will continue "
StephenColchester, UK"I suspect this may have been the last Lambeth Conference "Roger JonesBirmingham, UK"I believe a split in the Communion is inevitable" WILLIAM AKU, 46, CIVIL SERVANT, NIGERIAStephenColchester, UK"I suspect this may have been the last Lambeth Conference "Roger JonesBirmingham, UK"I believe a split in the Communion is inevitable" WILLIAM AKU, 46, CIVIL SERVANT, NIGERIA
Americans and Canadians cannot have their way in the Anglican Communion Not much was achieved at the Lambeth Conference as the Archbishop of Canterbury decided to sidestep the main issue at the heart of recent arguments - the consecration of homosexuals as priests.Americans and Canadians cannot have their way in the Anglican Communion Not much was achieved at the Lambeth Conference as the Archbishop of Canterbury decided to sidestep the main issue at the heart of recent arguments - the consecration of homosexuals as priests.
Moving forward, we still believe Rowan Williams will come to realise that the Americans and Canadians cannot have their way in the Anglican Communion.Moving forward, we still believe Rowan Williams will come to realise that the Americans and Canadians cannot have their way in the Anglican Communion.
Church leaders should rethink their position and remember that it is the Bible that should be the ultimate guide in these matters. Ordinary Anglicans do not have any choice but to listen to their consciences and what their local church leaders have to say.Church leaders should rethink their position and remember that it is the Bible that should be the ultimate guide in these matters. Ordinary Anglicans do not have any choice but to listen to their consciences and what their local church leaders have to say.
I believe the openly gay bishop Gene Robinson decided to attend Lambeth just to provoke people - and he knows it. It is the display of extremism in his views that scares many orthodox Anglicans.I believe the openly gay bishop Gene Robinson decided to attend Lambeth just to provoke people - and he knows it. It is the display of extremism in his views that scares many orthodox Anglicans.
I was glad to see bishops marching in London to demand action on poverty. However, the issue of poverty cannot be addressed in isolation. The Church must first tackle the main problem facing it today - the issue of homosexuality.I was glad to see bishops marching in London to demand action on poverty. However, the issue of poverty cannot be addressed in isolation. The Church must first tackle the main problem facing it today - the issue of homosexuality.
I do not think the Anglican Communion will split - we will continue as a unified Church given the special nature of Anglicanism as a bulwark against Catholicism.I do not think the Anglican Communion will split - we will continue as a unified Church given the special nature of Anglicanism as a bulwark against Catholicism.
But the divisions between liberals and conservatives will continue until the former group realise they cannot move too far away from the core principles of the Church.But the divisions between liberals and conservatives will continue until the former group realise they cannot move too far away from the core principles of the Church.
Return to topReturn to top
BOB MACDONALD, 62, SOFTWARE DEVELOPER, VICTORIA, CANADA BOB MACDONALD, 62, SOFTWARE DEVELOPER, VICTORIA, CANADA
There has been some meeting of minds at Lambeth. A number of people from African churches have accepted that the gay issue is there and won't simply go away.There has been some meeting of minds at Lambeth. A number of people from African churches have accepted that the gay issue is there and won't simply go away.
At the same time, some from the North American churches have come to realise the importance of cultural context in which countries from the southern hemisphere operate - and how this affects people's attitude over the gay issue. At the same time, some from the North American churches have come to realise the importance of cultural context in which countries from the southern hemisphere operate - and how this affects people's attitudes over the gay issue.
Overall, I believe there is now the possibility for greater honesty on this topic. So I am more optimistic about the potential for change in the future.Overall, I believe there is now the possibility for greater honesty on this topic. So I am more optimistic about the potential for change in the future.
The only problem is time. Time is of the essence for individuals but is not so important for organisations like the Anglican Church.The only problem is time. Time is of the essence for individuals but is not so important for organisations like the Anglican Church.
Ultimately, the issue of homosexuality is a hugely controversial issue that all the major faiths are attempting to tackle. Ultimately, the issue of homosexuality is an issue that all the major faiths must tackle.
I think it is essential that the Church concentrates on tackling poverty, so I was pleased to see the bishops marching in London calling for action on the Millennium Development Goals. If anything, there should have been greater focus on this issue during the conference. I was pleased to see the bishops marching in London calling for action on the Millennium Development Goals. While poverty must have focus, honesty and justice on the ultimately personal issues of sexuality are not unimportant.
Although I do not foresee a major split, some churches may splinter off from the main Anglican Communion. Those churches will continue along their own path until they are able to come to terms with controversial issues such as sexuality. Although I do not foresee a major split, some churches may splinter off from the main Anglican Communion. Those churches will continue along their own path until they are able to come to terms with controversial issues such as sexuality. I hope we will address all issues with a spirit of gentleness.
Return to topReturn to top
STEPHEN, 49, ORGANIST, COLCHESTER, UK STEPHEN, 49, ORGANIST, COLCHESTER, UK
I think the Lambeth Conference proved that most churches still wish to be associated despite recent difficulties. But Church leaders should remember that each church is autonomous. They need to go back to put things right in their own countries and stop "fishing in each others ponds".I think the Lambeth Conference proved that most churches still wish to be associated despite recent difficulties. But Church leaders should remember that each church is autonomous. They need to go back to put things right in their own countries and stop "fishing in each others ponds".
The Church should treat the gay issue the same as they have the Biblical strictures on eating shellfish, divorce, slavery, the planting of two crops in the same field, the wearing of garments made of two fibres, the ministry of women etc. However, I still think Bishop Gene Robinson should have stayed away - never go to a party if you are not invited!The Church should treat the gay issue the same as they have the Biblical strictures on eating shellfish, divorce, slavery, the planting of two crops in the same field, the wearing of garments made of two fibres, the ministry of women etc. However, I still think Bishop Gene Robinson should have stayed away - never go to a party if you are not invited!
I suspect that this may have been the last Lambeth Conference. The Gafcon Bishops will not be satisfied with anything except total victory. They have refused every offer of compromise so far so I doubt we've heard the last of it. The Anglican Communion is almost entirely paid for by Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA) who have been extremely patient but will eventually close the purse.I suspect that this may have been the last Lambeth Conference. The Gafcon Bishops will not be satisfied with anything except total victory. They have refused every offer of compromise so far so I doubt we've heard the last of it. The Anglican Communion is almost entirely paid for by Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA) who have been extremely patient but will eventually close the purse.
I think the Archbishop's march against poverty was noticed by the media in a positive way so it didn't do any harm, a pleasant change from recent coverage. But what will come out of it will depend mostly on the politicians of course.I think the Archbishop's march against poverty was noticed by the media in a positive way so it didn't do any harm, a pleasant change from recent coverage. But what will come out of it will depend mostly on the politicians of course.
I am a bit disappointed with Rowan Williams' pandering to the international stage. There seems to be very little reaction to the gay issue here at home and like ECUSA I am getting very tired of the African Primates telling me what I should do.I am a bit disappointed with Rowan Williams' pandering to the international stage. There seems to be very little reaction to the gay issue here at home and like ECUSA I am getting very tired of the African Primates telling me what I should do.
Return to topReturn to top
ROGER JONES, 60, COMPOSER OF CHRISTIAN MUSIC, BIRMINGHAM, UK ROGER JONES, 60, COMPOSER OF CHRISTIAN MUSIC, BIRMINGHAM, UK
The impression I get from the media is that little was settled at the conference.The impression I get from the media is that little was settled at the conference.
A desire to maintain unity meant there was no definitive statement on controversial issues. This is hardly good leadership and eventually there will be division on authority of scripture.A desire to maintain unity meant there was no definitive statement on controversial issues. This is hardly good leadership and eventually there will be division on authority of scripture.
I would like the Church to pronounce clearly that the only place for sexual intimacy is within heterosexual marriage and that marriage that isn't heterosexual isn't marriage at all.I would like the Church to pronounce clearly that the only place for sexual intimacy is within heterosexual marriage and that marriage that isn't heterosexual isn't marriage at all.
We would then all know what the Church stands for, and we could decide whether or not to join the denomination.We would then all know what the Church stands for, and we could decide whether or not to join the denomination.
It was a tragedy that so many bishops decided to boycott the conference over the gay issue. Although I understand their concerns and respect their right to take a stand, I think it would have been better if they had attended and made their voice clearly heard.It was a tragedy that so many bishops decided to boycott the conference over the gay issue. Although I understand their concerns and respect their right to take a stand, I think it would have been better if they had attended and made their voice clearly heard.
As for Gene Robinson, I wish he had not come to the UK at this time. But, then again, I think he should not have been made a bishop at all.As for Gene Robinson, I wish he had not come to the UK at this time. But, then again, I think he should not have been made a bishop at all.
I believe a split in the Communion is inevitable. It will be a tragedy, but it is unavoidable. Any initiatives to head off future divisions will come to nothing as the problems surrounding homosexuality have not been solved.I believe a split in the Communion is inevitable. It will be a tragedy, but it is unavoidable. Any initiatives to head off future divisions will come to nothing as the problems surrounding homosexuality have not been solved.
Return to topReturn to top