The Lambeth Conference which is hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams will begin on 20 th July. It is held every ten years, and a chance for the leaders of the Anglican Communion to meet, study and pray. It is to be hoped that the Conference will not make the headlines for the wrong reasons. The press love conflict, matters to do with sex, and do not always appreciate the issues that are involved. Oh that the press would seek after the truth.

Bishop Robert Chung of Madagascar writing in a newsletter states that “We are getting sidetracked from the important issues – poverty, education, AIDS and the urgency of mission. In doing this I believe we are crucifying Jesus all over again and hurting the church”. He states, I believe rightly, that making sexuality a primary concern is to neglect the poor.

The Anglican Communion has a history and tradition of upholding justice and caring for the poor – and these virtues need to be maintained. “ Our work is to educate the people, help them out of poverty, and make society a better place”.

On some issues it is necessary for Christians to agree to disagree. Those with differing view points are to be respected. After all the first disciples came from very different backgrounds, but because they followed Jesus, they managed to live in comparative harmony. A modern example of this appears to be Dr Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness who have been pictured enjoying each other’s company, although in times past they could hardly be described as friendly !

It seems to me that people have to be prepared to change their views, look at their prejudices and attitudes whether bishops at the Lambeth Conference or members of the public in the interests of greater understanding and harmony. “ It is necessary for unlike minds to hang together” . The Bishop of Liverpool has stated that he has changed his mind on some issues. It took, for example, a great deal of time for the Church to come to a common mind on the evil of slavery. It seems to me that different cultures move at differing speeds, and what is important in one decade may be less important in the next.

Although there have been reports of splits within the Church the impression given is of a strong desire to stay within the Anglican Church and to be loyal to its tradition, which has for many an innate genius.

Yours sincerely,

John Wylam