Anglican 'Lambeth Conference' Begins.

The Archbishop of Canterbury and his conference staff have been working for several years on the program and schedule for the Lambeth Conference.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - Around 650 Anglican bishops are currently making their way to Canterbury in England for the Lambeth Conference which begins July 16 and runs through August 3, 2008. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the titular head of the Anglican Communion, hosts the gathering every ten years.

This meeting of Anglican bishops has already been marred by controversy.

First, a gathering of conservative bishops last month in the Holy Land culminated in the drafting and signing of the "Jerusalem Declaration," which has become a quasi-ultimatum to the communion with regard to concerns shared in common.

Second, a little over a week ago the General Synod of the Church of England opened the way for women bishops to be consecrated.

At the same time, bishops secretly had meetings in the Vatican to seek ways for orthodox Anglicans, with their priests, to expedite entering into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

With all of this already churning, there are many who wonder whether the original designs for the conference will be completely realized. These include:
• Be restored and refreshed spiritually.
• Gain deeper knowledge of each other.
• Become more aware of the spiritual and physical resources God has given them to meet missionary challenges in different parts of the world.
• Develop greater understanding and appreciation of life together in the Anglican Communion.
• Address conflict on many levels.
• Discover a new level of trust in common service to God.
• Gain greater understanding of the contribution Anglicanism can make to the worldwide church and to the world.

According to the Anglican News Service, by the close of Lambeth 2008 individual bishops will have taken part in 25 hours of corporate morning and evening worship (in addition to the Cathedral celebration on July 20), 18 hours of bible study, and 18 hours of 'indaba' groups.

Indaba groups come from an African word that means "meetings where significant problems are worked through in a community setting."

The reflections of the bishops will be gathered together as the conference comes to a close. A final Eucharist will be celebrated in the Cathedral on Sunday evening, August 3.

At each Lambeth Conference, the wife of the Archbishop hosts the Spouses Conference. This year's conference will include 10 husbands of female bishops.

Bishop Gene Robinson, the openly homosexual diocesan from the United States, though not invited to the conference will be hanging around the edges. He is schedule to preach in some Anglican Churches around England and will be making himself available at Lambeth Palace for anyone interested in having dialog.

According to Anglican Communion News, a lot of activity will take place in what is called the "Marketplace."

"One element of the Lambeth Conference that always generates a lot of interest is the Marketplace. It provides a showcase for things going on around the Anglican Communion, a space for delegates to relax, meet friends and shop, and in 2008 for the first time it will also be open to members of the public, as well as to conference delegates. The vestment makers are present in full force as are interest groups and bookshops. There is an official Lambeth Conference Gift Shop as well.

"The four dozen stalls will include the Lambeth Conference Shop, stocking branded Conference gifts. Other exhibitors include organizations, church agencies, charities, lobby groups and commercial firms that provide goods, services and other resources to the Church."

Catholic Online will be posting regular reports on the activities at Lambeth as well as any breaking news concerning Rome's initiatives in welcoming Anglicans.

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