Posted Tuesday 25 January 2011
The Most Rev David Chillingworth, bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church says: “I am looking forward to taking part in the Primates’ Meeting this week. I hope that members of our Church will hold this meeting in their prayers throughout the week.
“This will be the first opportunity for me to meet the Primates of other provinces of the Anglican Communion. I know that there is sensitivity in the Communion about the role of the Primates - a sensitivity in particular that they should not become a powerful group at the centre of Communion life. But our Communion with its ‘bonds of affection’ thrives on warm relationships of mutual understanding and sympathy. The relationships between those who exercise leadership in the Provinces must be a critical element of that network of relationship.
“It will of course be a pity if some stay away. We and the Communion will all be the poorer for that. But I look forward to building relationships and contacts. I hope to learn about the views and insights of others. I hope also to learn why and with what strength of feeling they hold the views which they do - for in that lies the beginning of an understanding of the challenges which we face. I know that others will look at me in the same way.
“One other aspect of this is of critical importance. It is clear where and between whom some of the main lines of difficulty lie - although we are all involved. But I believe that the role of smaller provinces - others who like us who are deeply committed to our life as Anglicans and who hold it as a vital part of our history - can be potentially very creative and helpful.”
Information on the Primates’ meeting is available on the Anglican Communion website :
Primates meeting January 2011
Category: Primus
