Divisions Remain as Deadline for Communique Approaches
02/18/2006

The leaders of the Anglican Communion have only two business sessions remaining to craft an action plan that addresses long-simmering tensions that were brought into sharp relief in 2003 following the 74th General Convention of The Episcopal Church. A resolutions committee led by the Primate of the Indian Ocean, Archbishop Ian Ernest, has been working to prepare a consensus declaration in time for the conclusion of the Feb. 14-19 primates' meeting.

The fact that they remain divided was symbolically expressed in events surrounding the Feb. 18 Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral in Zanzibar. In one of several breaks with custom, staffers told the press after the service that no group photograph would be taken. Conference organizers declined to offer an explanation.

he primates' vestments, as well as the con-celebration and reception of the Eucharist, also spoke to their divisions. In a further break with precedence where the primates either all vested for choir offices or for Eucharist, in Zanzibar the primates dressed in a range of styles from business suits to Eucharistic garb. the rest