Every time we place the Eucharistic host in someone’s hand and say “The Body of Christ; the Bread of Heaven” our Anglican ability to hold together differences through our communion with God is revealed. Focused, as we should be, on the mystery of the Risen Christ’s presence with us in the Eucharist, and receiving this grace, we are unlikely to realize that these two phrases The Body of Christ and The Bread of Heaven are expressions of theology about which people once fought fiercely. The Body of Christ represents a more transubstantiation Catholic view and The Bread of Heaven a more Protestant view. Anglicans found a way to move forward in worship and mission together.
Yesterday, at the Lambeth Conference, a similar path of grace emerged. Stepping away from vote or debate, to table conversations on the Call on Human Dignity which includes human sexuality. Powerful theological foundations were laid on the rock of “Imago Dei”: every single person carries the image of God, no matter their gender or sexual orientation, and are valued members of the Body of Christ. The bishops engaged a statement that acknowledges that many Anglican provinces limit marriage to be between a man and a woman only and also acknowledges that many Anglican provinces (The Episcopal Church being one) have prayerfully studied and been led to marriage for all.
My table of bishops, who are both doing daily Bible study together and engaging these Calls, are from Ireland, South Sudan, England, Australia, and St. Helena island. Our group had a loving, informed conversation, and were evenly divided on the marriage question. Interestingly, the divide was South to North. I shared my journey and strong support for marriage and ordination for all.
I greatly appreciated Archbishop Justin’s opening address of Lambeth in which he emphasized One Church for One World highlighting issues of conflict, hunger, environment, and science that cry for the Church’s care and leadership. I believe his goal is to keep Anglicans united in mission to bear Christ’s Gospel in these matters. Yesterday, The Archbishop made it absolutely clear that no one would be excluded from communion over views of sexuality. As bishops we stood for the Call to walk together despite our differences.
Today we travel to the gardens of Lambeth Palace in London to focus our attention on the Environment. Tim and I will help to host lunch and table discussion on environmental problems and initiatives.
~Bishop Bascom
More information about the Call on Human Dignity:
Bishops at Lambeth Conference discuss the Lambeth Call on Human Dignity (Lambeth website)
Archbishop of Canterbury’s remarks on human dignity lift up traditional and progressive marriage beliefs
By David Paulsen, Episcopal News Service
Bishops were moved by the words of Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who sought to bring the bishops closer together by affirming the sincerity and theological rigor of Anglicans on both sides of the divide over human sexuality and the extent of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church.
Message from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry on Lambeth Call on human dignity
August 2, 2022
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