Extracts from
the Communiqué issued by
the Primates of the Anglican Communion
meeting in Porto, Portugal
28th March 2000
(For the full text of the Communiqué see http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnsarchive/acns2075/acns2094.html)
"We, the Primates of the Anglican Communion and Moderators of
the United Churches, meeting in Porto, Portugal between 22 and 29 March
2000, give thanks to God for the opportunity which we have enjoyed to
pray together, to study scripture and to reflect on some of the major
issues facing the world and our Communion at the beginning of the new
millennium...."
"During our meeting two issues emerged as points
of particular convergence.
First, Primates reporting from around the world on
their work and their hopes unanimously underlined the priority of
evangelism for their provinces, together with a deep sense of their
responsibility to and for the whole social environment in which they
find themselves. All agreed in giving priority not simply to the
proclamation of the gospel in words but to the `holistic evangelism`
that looks to transform the whole person.
Second, in a session on the use and authority of the
Bible, there was an equally unanimous witness to the unique role of Holy
Scripture in realising such a transformation, and a shared
acknowledgement of Scripture's decisive authority in the life of our
Communion.
It was in this context that we approached the deep
problems arising from conflicting teaching and practice in relation to
sexual ethics in different Provinces or in parts of Provinces of the
Communion.
For some, new life in Jesus Christ, the movement from
darkness to light, necessarily involves the recognition that
homosexuality is part of the brokenness of human life which needs to be
healed by the power of the Gospel. Consequently, integrity and
effectiveness in evangelism will require a clear stand on issues such as
homosexuality. So, the differing views expressed or implied in the
practice of other Provinces are experienced as actively hurtful to and
undermining of mission.
For others, even if they share a traditional
interpretation of Biblical ethics, this should not be identified as the
question on which the Church's integrity depends. In their situations
mission would be held back in a context where the Church is seen to be
too concerned with sexual matters at the expense of other crucial
issues...."
"We believe that the unity of the Communion as a
whole still rests on the Lambeth Quadrilateral: the Holy Scriptures as
the rule and standard of faith; the creeds of the undivided Church; the
two Sacraments ordained by Christ himself and the historic episcopate.
Only a formal and public repudiation of this would place a diocese or
Province outside the Anglican Communion...."
"We believe that the disagreement over sexual
ethics and differences in the reception of Lambeth Resolution I.10 that
clearly exists within and among the Provinces does not necessarily
amount to a complete and definitive rupture of communion...."
"It is precisely because of our commitment [to this mutual and
collegial ministry] that we noted with deep concern the recent
consecrations in Singapore intended to provide extended episcopal
oversight for Anglicans in the USA who, for various reasons, believe
that their pastoral needs and theological commitments are not provided
for by the Episcopal Church, and who consequently feel alienated from
its life. Despite the strength and sincerity of these feelings, such
action taken without appropriate consultation poses serious questions
for the life of the Communion...."
"We have valued the opportunity in our meeting to discuss these
issues openly and together. We are convinced that the practice of a
collegial ministry requires that the Primates' Meeting become a more
frequent occurrence, in which the challenges and opportunities of
different Provinces can be discussed honestly and constructively, so
that we may seek wisdom together...."
(For the full text of the Communiqué see http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnsarchive/acns2075/acns2094.html) |
