An article from the Cathedral Times
by the Very
Reverend Samuel G. Candler,
Dean of the Cathedral of St.
Philip
Dear Friends,
It has been my sincere honor to have
been invited to participate in a very special consultation this week, a
consultation assembled to strengthen relationships and bonds of
affection across the Anglican Communion. The conference is using the
subject of human sexuality as its theme, the very subject which, in many
circles, is so controversial in the church. Here is the description of
the event officially released:
"In
mid-October, the Chicago Consultation and the Ujamaa Centre of the
University of KwaZulu-Natal will convene a gathering in South Africa to
strengthen mission and advocacy connections among Anglicans who are
interested in the theology of human sexuality and justice. We believe
that deeper connections with each other will make it easier for us to
work together in mission and to communicate productively when
challenging Communion-wide issues arise. The co-conveners of the
consultation are Professor Gerald West, director of the Ujamaa Centre,
and Professor Esther Mombo of St. Paul's University in Limuru, Kenya.
The consultation, which will involve about 55 people
and last for three days, will be grounded in the Indaba process, prayer
and Bible study and will explore theological perspectives on human
sexuality and justice. Participants will include theologians, bishops,
church leaders, grassroots advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender people and other people willing to engage in intensive
conversations across cultural boundaries.
The
participants in the consultation will share their experiences with the
wider church through stories and video reflections and through the
report of a listening team led by the Rev. Janet Trisk, a representative
to the Anglican Consultative Council from the Church of Southern
Africa."
I am in South Africa now, as I
write this weekly newsletter; and I have already met good people, new
friends"”from South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Kenya. It is a
lovely, an absolutely lovely, experience. This Sunday, October 16, I
hope to present a summary of the consultation at the Dean's Forum"”if I
have survived jet lag. Join me!
The Very Reverend Sam Candler