The Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Rev. Henry Orombi, has accused the head of the Anglican Communion of betraying biblically faithful churches by inviting bishops involved in the consecration of an openly gay bishop to their global conference.
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(Photo: Christian Today)The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, speaks during the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, July 25, 2008.
Orombi, one of more than 200 bishops boycotting the two-week Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, said in a comment for The Times that the current system for appointing the Archbishop of Canterbury, currently Dr. Rowan Williams, was a “remnant of colonialism.”
“Even the Pope is elected by his peers. But what Anglicans have is a man appointed by a secular government,” wrote Orombi.
“Over the past five years, we have come to see this as a remnant of British colonialism, and it is not serving us well,” he added. “The spiritual leadership of a global communion of independent and autonomous provinces should not be reduced to one man appointed by a secular government.”
Bishops are in the process of drafting final reflections, largely drawn from the outcomes of the discussion groups at the once-a-decade Lambeth Conference. In the document, the bishops acknowledge a “lack of confidence” in the structures of Communion.
They also state, “We must acknowledge that there are great tensions in our relationship at present, and an erosion of trust between us.”
Nevertheless, bishops at Lambeth want to work together and some have called Orombi's remarks disrespectful.
"They were very strong words, I must say, especially since the Archbishop [of Canterbury] has tried to keep the church together," said the Rt. Rev. Ragnar Persenius, Bishop of Upssala, in Communion through the Swedish Lutheran Church, according to VirtueOnline, a conservative Anglican publication.
"I wonder what conservatives are doing to keep the church together. They do not seem to contribute to a solution. Some are not even speaking to others. Although they have serious theological disagreements, they also have to get into the conversation," Persenius added, while noting that most Lambeth attendees "want to stay together."
Orombi’s attack comes as bishops debate the most divisive issue in the Anglican Communion, human sexuality. The 2003 consecration of openly gay bishop Gene Robinson widened rifts within the global Communion.
Bishops said that Thursday’s discussions on sexuality had been characterized by generosity and respect.
“We haven’t suddenly reached a consensus about the issues of human sexuality. The problems are not all solved but there are significant differences,” the Most Rev. Philip Aspinall, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Australia and spokesman for the Conference, told reporters.
The Chair of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, the Most Rev. Ian Ernest, commented, “We are able to look at each other. We are able to shed tears with one another, but at the same time knowing that we’ve got different ways and different convictions.”
On Friday, bishops are tackling the controversial Anglican Covenant on structures of unity in the Communion.
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If people claim sin is OK, or Christ did not die for our sins and rise again, they are not truth. They teach lies, false doctrine, a different gospel.
Galatians 1:6
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel
In fact, Peter and Paul warned of such teachers
2 Corinthians 11:3-4,13-15
3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. ... 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
1 Tim 1:3-4
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work-which is by faith.
2 Peter 2:1
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-bringing swift destruction on themselves.
One part of the Body of Christ cannot say to another that we have no need of you, as the conservatives have said again and again. Such self-righteousness is Pharisaical.
Could we afford unity for all cost. I think the level of unity depend upon similarity between them. ECUSA has invented new things as the root of disunity, despite they knew strong objection from the other side. And now accusing others the problem. This is like you hurting your wife and try to prevent her from leaving home ! Amazing !
Wait, Blacksho89 was joking and being sarcastic...right? O_o
hlerwin is wrong. We should not mind our own business. We should mind the business of Jesus Christ, which is the kingdom of God.
Topekan, good response to the herwin. However, I am convinced that there is simply no reasoning with heretics. They plug their ears and shout "la, la, la, I'm not listening" no matter what you say to them. Therefore, I think that the best thing to do with people like the herwin, is stay silent. They're a lost cause, we must tend to the flock of Christ - those who are serious about pursuing a relationship with the Lord - not with the heretics who have no concern with the fear of the Lord.
Hey hierwin, the difference between candles in the sanctuary and homosexuals in the pulpit is fundamental. The bible is silent on the former, however it has much to say against the latter.
That being said, while candles in the sanctuary aren't a sin, drums and electric guitars are.
hlerwin is correct, we should mind our own business.
But what is that 'business?' Going forth doing good works bringing Fruit to Christ, so all the world can see the Love of God in Jesus the Christ.
Standing against those who would pervert the message is Part of that 'business' we do, many are kept from the false gospel that leads to damnation, and those lost in it maybe some will repent and come back to the Lord before its too late. The Lord can take anyone of us at any time.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
hlerwin is absolutely correct. The deliberate mistranslation of the Bible by rich white men has led many to believe that Moses brought from YHWH the Ten Commandments, when in truth they are only suggestions.
So have fun, cheat on your wife, worship Baal, devour widow's houses, and as long as you make showy prayers, you will be just dandy with Buddy Christ!
You should read about the "certain collapse" of the Episcopal Church (and other branches of the CofE) when candles were first lit in the sanctuary! That fight was much worse than this one. The communion will survive - and prosper. (And again, always remember that these people do not care what you and I think of them or what we say God thinks of them.) Mind your own business.
May God bless these men as they seek to follow God and His word. May the ones advocating or condoning sin repent and return to God.