c. 2004 Religion News Service

(UNDATED) On Monday, the Eames Commission released a long-awaited report in London addressing a growing schism, largely over homosexuality, within the worldwide Anglican Communion. The report rebuked the Episcopal Church of the United States for allowing an openly gay bishop but did not impose any sanctions on it.

The 92-page report includes sections on:

Stirring disunity

“By electing and confirming such a candidate in the face of the concerns expressed by the wider Communion, the Episcopal Church has caused deep offense to many faithful Anglican Christians both in its own church and in other parts of the Communion.”

“In our view, those involved did not pay due regard … to the wider implications of the decisions they were making and the actions they were taking.”

Making an apology

“We recommend that the Episcopal Church be invited to express its regret that the proper constraints of the bonds of affection were breached in the events surrounding the election and consecration of a bishop for (New Hampshire), and for the consequences that followed, and that such an expression of regret would represent the desire of the Episcopal Church to remain within the Communion.”

Withdrawing from Anglican functions

“We recommend that … those who took part as consecrators of (openly gay bishop) Gene Robinson should be invited to consider in all conscience whether they should withdraw themselves from representative functions in the Anglican Communion.”

A moratorium on blessing same-sex unions

“We recommend that the Episcopal Church be invited to effect a moratorium on the election and consent of the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate who is living in a same-gender union until some new consensus in the Anglican Communion emerges.”

“We believe that to proceed unilaterally with the authorization of public rites of blessing for same-sex unions … constitutes action in breach of the legitimate application of the Christian faith as the churches of the Anglican Communion have received it.”

Genuine faith

“The overwhelming response from other Christians, both inside and outside the Anglican family, has been to regard these developments as departures from genuine, apostolic Christian faith.”

Supporting gay bishops and same-sex unions

“No province, diocese or parish has the right to introduce a novelty which goes against such (Anglican) teaching and excuse it on the grounds that it has simply been put foward for reception.”

Conservative churches breaking away

“We do not favor the establishment of parallel jurisdictions. We call upon those bishops who believe it is their conscientious duty to intervene in provinces, dioceses and parishes other than their own to express regret from the consequences of their actions; to affirm their desire to remain in the Communion, and to effect a moratorium on any further interventions.”

An Anglican split

“There remains a very real danger that we will not choose to walk together. Should the call to halt and find ways of continuing in our present communion not be heeded, then we shall have to begin to learn to walk apart.”

MO/RB END