Changing Attitude, an organisation working for Lesbian and Gay affirmation in the Anglican Church, has issued a Global Open Letter urging the Primates “to avoid any course of action which might lead to schism or the fragmentation of the Anglican Communion”.
As the 38 Primates of the Anglican Communion prepare to meet at Lambeth Palace in London from 15-16 October, Changing Attitude is urging them “to pursue Jesus Christ’s call that we may be one”.
Dr Williams has called the Primates together in response to the strength of feeling evoked by the confirmation of Canon Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States.
The letter, signed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and several bishops, spoke of “seeking an inclusive, open church where there is generous space for lesbian and gay people, catholics and evangelicals” and asked for serious attention to be drawn towards “bridging cultural and theological differences”.
Mindful of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s request for a period of calm reflection, listening and dialogue, Changing Attitude “pray that the Primates will open themselves to the heart of God, a heart which is loving, tender and infinitely generous and forgiving…[and] pray that they will be attentive to the voices of faithful, loving lesbian and gay voices in every part of the Anglican Communion”.
The Global Open Letter was signed by:
- Archbishop Desmond Tutu
- The Rt Revd Dr Peter Selby, Bishop of Worcester
- The Rt Revd Penny Jamieson, Bishop of Dunedin, NZ
- The Rt Revd Richard Lewis, Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich
- The Rt Revd Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hulme
- The Rt Revd Michael Ingham, Bishop of New Westminster
- The Rt Revd Robin Smith
- The Rt Revd Michael Doe, Bishop of Swindon
- The Rt Revd Christopher Ssenyongo, retired bishop of West Buganda, Uganda
- The Most Revd Andrew Hutchison, Archbishop of Montreal
- The Revd Sister Una Kroll
- The Rt Revd Caleb J Lawrence, Bishop of Moonsonee, Canada
- The Rt Revd John Salt, Bishop of St Helena