Prayer Card Will Support Presence of First Female Bishops at Lambeth Conference
Episcopal News Service. May 8, 1998 [98-2151]
(ENS) The church's committee on the status of women has commissioned a prayer to express support for the presence of 11 female bishops among the 800 Anglican bishops from around the world who will attend this summer's Lambeth Conference in Canterbury, England.
Calling attention to a "truly historic moment in the life of the Anglican Communion," the committee asked Avery Brooke of Connecticut to write a prayer as part of an effort to "call the church to a new vision of itself, a church which will become a safe, sacred and healthy place for all people," according to a press release from Marjorie Burke of Massachusetts, chair of the committee.
Brooke is a retreat leader and teacher of prayer, as well as spiritual director and an oblate of the Order of the Holy Cross, an Episcopal monastic community.
The prayer has been translated into the seven official languages of the Lambeth Conference -- English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Swahili and Japanese. It is available in sets of 25 from Morehouse Publishing (800-877-0012). The committee hopes that the prayer will be included in Prayers of the People in Episcopal and Anglican congregations around the world, as well as personal devotions.
Lord Christ, when we think of the many Anglican Christians brought together for the Lambeth Conference from allover the world, we are awed and grateful, and we pray that your Holy Spirit will be with them in their prayers and conversations.
For the first time there are at Lambeth women who are bishops. They come rejoicing that it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us that they be called to be priests and bishops. But it is a lonely path, Jesus, and there is much opposition. We ask that you be with them in their joy and rejection. We also pray with and for all who believe that having women priests and bishops is wrong. May we respect their hearts and minds and may all your servants know the goodness of your love, the glory of your healing grace and the teaching of your Spirit.
Compassionate Lord; this is not the only conflict and difficulty that will come before our leaders at Lambeth. We who should love each,other often come close to hate. Jesus, help us to forgive each other as you forgive us and to work together for your kingdom. Amen.