Canon Terry Wong: Lambeth, GAFCON and my ‘two sense’ worth

Global South Anglican
22th May 2008

Much can be gathered through reading articles on the Net on how Lambeth and GAFCON are being perceived. What is obvious is that there are a range of views, as one would expect, depending on one’s churchmanship, theological views and personal experience of the communion or those wider ‘instruments.”

I don’t wish to take any personal stand here and those of my Province (Southeast Asia) have been made known .

However, I have ‘sensed’ two things in my personal interaction with Anglican leaders across the board.

Firstly, there are many Anglican clergy/leaders who have felt isolated and ‘displaced” through this period of crisis. GAFCON provides an opportunity for such clergy and leaders to meet others to find encouragement, bonds of fellowship and mission partnership together. I have met clergy who are quite clueless or indifferent towards communion politics but are nevertheless emotionally and spiritually affected by the crisis, with very real impact on their work on the ground and in their parishes. GAFCON provides an important pastoral relief and I will say, a needed redirection for many of them. As this gathering is not just for bishops only, it open doors for ministry to arguably the group most affected by this communion crisis – Vicars and clergy. Their voices are not often heard. It is my prayer that they do not become casualties (no lack of intention, just attention) as we continue to find a ‘covenant way’ through this crisis. the rest