Posted Monday 07 February 2011
The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church reflects on the recent Primates’ Meeting in Dublin:
‘First of all, I found the opportunities of building contacts and making friends quite extraordinary. It makes a difference – if, for example, the meeting is considering the issue of blasphemy laws in Pakistan - to be sitting beside Bishop Samuel Azariah of the Church of Pakistan. Far off places suddenly become very close. And that’s what Communion is about.
‘Secondly, I felt keenly the disappointment of not being with those who had decided that they could not be part of the meeting. We were constantly reminded that they were not with us – by empty chairs and in prayer. It was my first Primates’ Meeting and I felt the poorer for not hearing what they had to say and having the chance of speaking with them.
‘But it was still a good and worthwhile meeting. As the statements make clear, the Meeting spent much time clarifying the role of the Primates’ Meeting as one of the Instruments of Communion. It should not be a place where decisions are made for the Communion or for Provinces. It was clear that most of us come - as I do - from Provinces where decision-making is collegial and consultative within our autonomous provincial structure.
‘So when our College of Bishops meets this week, my colleagues will not expect me to bring back a series of decisions for implementation. But they will want me to share with them the best account I can give of how other Anglican Provinces are dealing with the same problems as we face. That won’t just be an account of how far-off places are doing - because through the Instruments of Communion we expect to respond to the feelings and the difficulties of other Provinces. As they respond to us. That’s what it means to be a Communion.
‘In Dublin, the Primates’ Meeting defined itself as a network of relationships which binds the Anglican Communion together – striving to express “that unity in diversity which is the Spirit’s work among the Churches of the Communion and the community of Primates.” The Communion is troubled by deeply embedded conflict. In such a situation, I believe that some of the resources to move forward may lie with smaller churches. I look forward to seeking ways in which the Scottish Episcopal Church can play a stronger part in Communion life.’
Towards an Understanding of the Purpose and Scope of the Primates’ Meeting A Working Document, approved by the Primates Meeting January 29, 2011.
