[Ed. Note: There are "extremists" on both sides of this issue: those parishes who refuse to allow any marriages until they can do same-sex blessings; and those conservative commentators who left the Episcopal Church more than five years ago, and take pot shots at those still in TEC. Fr. Kim finds fault with Bp. Iker's decision, while we have publicly and privately begged him to reconsider. Someone must speak with authority for the orthodox "outcasts" in TEC. And, let me reassure you. Those who choose not to attend will NOT be left out in the cold. Cheryl M. Wetzel]
frkim@kimgrams.org
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 3:16 PM
Subject: RE: FT. WORTH: Bishop Iker to attend 2008 Lambeth Conference
Like I said the other day, I think the boycott may be collapsing - or more like shrinking. I can't imagine bishops like Akinola or Jensen going back on their decision not to attend Lambeth.
Did anyone really expect a large scale Lambeth boycott? From the get go I believed only a handful from Africa would boycott Lambeth, and they’d be left ‘out in the cold’ while all the others enjoyed the Queen’s Tea Party!
I had serious doubts any TEC bishop would boycott Lambeth, including those of the so-called ‘Network’. Only two, +Jack Iker and +Bob Duncan were not going, until the recent revelation that Iker was indeed now going, along with all the others, excepting +John David Schofield, and possibly, +Peter Beckwith.
Then came the announcement that Archbp Peter Jensen was not going to Lambeth, followed by his brother Dean Phillip Jensen’s encouraging and good piece – Limits of Fellowship, in which he urged bishops not to go to Lambeth, that to go to “Lambeth knowing that unrepentant homosexual activity is wrong - your profession of evangelical credentials will always be tarnished. You cannot expect God's people to trust you as you pick and choose which parts of the Bible apply to others and apply to you.” Strong words!!
As of yesterday, I learned that Archbp Peter Jensen had not changed his position about Lambeth. It remains puzzling why Archbp Greg Venables first revealed his about face publicly to Ruth Gledhill of London Times while he was in Canada, and not to the Canadians! At least, none of the participants in the recent Canadian Anglican Network Conference at which Venables was the principal speaker made any mention of the significant bit of news concerning Venables’ about face.
Can we trust ANYone anymore?
[Bp. Iker's letter of May 1 follows, with his reasons for reversing his decision.]
May 1, 2008
Bishop Jack Iker of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth confirmed today that he has accepted the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury to attend the Lambeth Conference of Bishops, which is to meet July 16 thru August 3 at the University of Kent in England.
Given the strained relations in the Anglican Communion and the role of the Lambeth Conference as one of the Four Instruments of Communion, Bishop Iker believes it is important for him to attend this gathering of Anglican Bishops from around the world that takes place once every 10 years.
"I stand in solidarity with all those Bishops who have decided, as a matter of conscience, that they are unable to be at Lambeth," said Bishop Iker.
"However, given the situation the Diocese of Fort Worth finds itself in with the unfolding realignment that is taking place in Anglicanism, I think it is important for me to be there to make our case and to face our detractors."
In addition to demonstrating a willingness to work with the Instruments of Communion for the unity of the Church,
Bishop Iker believes it is important for him to be present to defend orthodox believers who are being accused of abandonment of communion by the TEC leadership, including the Presiding Bishop.
"We need to refute the claims that the leadership of this Church is trying to accommodate us and provide a secure place for us, and we need to testify to the fact that TEC is not in compliance with the Windsor Report or the requests made of TEC by the Primates' Meeting in Dar es Salaam," he said.
Bishop Iker had previously announced his plans to participate in GAFCON in mid-June to consult and pray with many of the Bishops who have decided against participation in the Lambeth Conference.
FOOTNOTE: Archbishop Gregory Venables of the Southern Cone has also said he will attend the Lambeth Conference.
