Unity, Pilgrimage Among A.C.C. Meeting Themes
Episcopal News Service. July 26, 1984 [84150]
LAGOS, Nigeria (DPS, July 26) -- Sounding one of the themes of the sixth Anglican Consultative Council meeting here, Archbishop of Canterbury Robert A. K. Runcie's opening sermon declared "The Anglican Communion is numerically stronger in Africa than any other part of the world. No longer can it be said that the Anglican Church is the Church of England, but rather the Church of England is part of the Anglican Comnunion."
Runcie continued on to outline other themes for the July 17-27 meeting: pilgrimage, Christian unity and commitment, justice, and reconciliation. The festival Eucharist at which he spoke was held at Christ Church Cathedral here and was celebrated by Timothy Olufosoye, Archbishop of Nigeria. He was assisted by the host bishop, the Rt. Rev. Festus O. Segun of Lagos.
The pilgrimage theme was taken up again by the Rev. Canon Samuel Van Culin, secretary general of the Anglican Consultative Council, in his opening report. Reminding members of their call, he said "Pilgrim people are dynamic. They are in movement, driven by a deep compelling will to accomplish a hope and live out a commitment drawn by a goal -- anticipated, not seen -- that will unify, fulfill and complete their faith and life."
The "pilgrim people" to whom he spoke were a diverse group culled from the 27 member national churches in the Anglican Communion: numbering 60, they encompassed both men and women, clergy and laity, and represented 46 nations. Van Culin himself is an American, the first to hold the office of secretary general for the Council. Their task, as he outlined it, was to "debate, explore, propose, clarify and sustain a continuing dialogue... (toward) the stimulation... of a deepening awareness of mission and ministry throughout the life of the Church."
Among the things discussed by the Council were two reports, "Giving Mission Its Proper Place" by the advisory group on mission and strategy, and "Steps Toward Unity" from the preparatory group on ecumenical affairs. The first noted that the Anglican Church is still dominated by English-speakers and urged more attention to those whose first language is not English. It also suggested that the churches' different systems for world mission be brought more into line with each other so that "coordinated, prompt action by mission agencies will be more possible," and recommended a major conference of all Anglican mission agencies.
The report on ecumenical affairs summarized results of the major dialogues in which the Anglican Communion has been engaged since 1967. Regarding the decision of some member churches to ordain women to the priesthood, the report noted that this has strained relations not only within the Communion but also with other Christian groups which do not ordain women, such as the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches. It proposed that the Council "seek means to help the Anglican Communion understand this issue."
In response to recent tensions between Great Britain and Nigeria, police security for the Anglican Consultative Council's meeting was tight. Nevertheless, in a press conference held here on July 20th, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke of the atmosphere of warmth and friendliness generated by the people of Nigeria toward the Council and toward him personally, for which he thanked them. Referring to the difficulties, he said, "I was determined that these tensions should not prevent Anglicans from all over the world meeting in Nigeria as planned. There will always be tensions in the world. Tension is a part of new creation. But if you concentrate on the negative aspect of tension, men and women will be divided by race, class, tribe or politics. Christians have a special responsibility in today's world to help transform destructive tension into creative tension, to be men and women of hope, and to be bridge-builders."
The Anglican Consultative Council, created by the 1968 Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops, meets every three years and is one of four major elements of inter-Anglican organization. The others are the Primates' meeting, the Lambeth Conference, and the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop himself is not only a personal center for relationships within the Communion, but also serves as chairman or president of all inter-Anglican bodies. The secretary general of the Anglican Consultative Council provides the basic support system for all of them.