Bishop Harold sends greetings to Down & Dromore from Lambeth
Greetings from the Lambeth Conference 2008. I will try to keep the diocese informed about the progress of the Conference over the next two and a half weeks. There are, at the moment, around three quarters of the bishops of the Communion gathered at the University of Kent at Canterbury, with around 230 bishops absent - including most of the bishops from Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. One interviewer asked me to describe this year's conference in an easily digested fashion. Well, it's like this. Over the decades the Lambeth Conference photograph of all the bishops has become bigger and bigger and bigger, and blacker and blacker and blacker (with the growing churches in Africa). This year's will be smaller and whiter, and that is clearly evident. The bishops of The Episcopal Church in the USA are out in force representing around 3% of the membership of the Communion, and about 17% of the bishops present.
This year's conference begins with a three-day retreat led by The Archbishop of Canterbury for all the bishops, in Canterbury Cathedral. The whole Cathedral precincts have been given over each day to the bishops between 11am and 5pm, and it is a real privilege to be praying in such a holy place - even if it can be difficult at times to remain in silence. The heartbeat of this Lambeth Conference is the study of the Word of God, and especially St John's Gospel. Both Liz and I are Bible Study Leaders, and it is a particular joy for me to have in my group three bishops from the Episcopal Church of Sudan, including the bishop whose diocese covers Darfur. I have also spent some time catching up with Bishop Justin of Maridi Diocese, who will be joining us in Down and Dromore in the week after the Conference.
Liz, meanwhile, is involved in a separate programme for spouses, led up by Jane Williams who has just launched her new book, ‘Marriage, Mitres and being Myself'.
Perhaps a few personal thoughts will let you enter more into the ‘skin' of what is happening. First of all, I have been deeply impressed with the quality and faith of so many of the bishops and wives whom I have met. It is again a wonderful experience of meeting with all tribes and nations, even though a sadness that some are missing. I continue to be concerned that the programme is being overly managed, though a level of disorganization at times makes me wonder if that is possible! And I fear we will have very few opportunities to really discuss and debate together about the big issues we face. But that remains to be seen. However, I am certain that the Lord will reveal his presence in the midst of all our difficulties, and have a real sense of his being in control.
I invite all who will to join me in prayer for our Communion each day at any time between 7.15 and 8am.
Your bishop and brother in Christ
+ Harold