Lambeth vs. Jerusalem

I know what you’re thinking, “Kyrie eleison! Not another blurb about GAFCON.” But there is something that I think is worth noting.

The GAFCON conclave was as secret as the exact amount of gold in Fort Knox. No one was admitted to the conference except for a litmus test chosen few.

There were even wanted posters of the most dangerous heretics to be kept out at all costs. There was no ecumenical presence and no press whatsoever. This was definitely a meeting of only the true Christians – the predestined.

By contrast, Lambeth will not be a covert event. In addition to a monumental media presence, there will also be ecumenical participation.

• Ivan, Cardinal Dias, head of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples will address the conference as will
• Brian McLarin, an American evangelical and founder of the Cedar Ridge Community Church
  

Among other ecumenical participants at the conference are:

• Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Armenian Church;
• The Revd Dr Canon Joel Edwards, Evangelical Alliance, UK;
• The Revd Prof Robert Gribben, World Methodist Council;
• Metropolitan Kallistos of Diolkeia, Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople;
• Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity;
• The Revd Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches;
• The Revd Dr Ishmael Noko, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation;
• Patriarch Theophilus III, Patriarchate of Jerusalem;
• The Very Revd Prof Iain Torrance, World Alliance of Reformed Churches;
• The Revd Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, Director of the World Evangelical Alliance.

In addition to these ecumenical relationships, some member churches of the Anglican Communion have established full communion agreements with churches of other traditions, involving a complete mutual recognition of ministry and sacraments. Several representatives of these full communion partners will also participate in the conference:

• Archbishop Joris Vercammen and Bishop Joachim Vobbe, Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht;
• Bishop Ernst Baasland, Church of Norway;
• Metropolitan Mar Basilios, Malabar Independent Syrian Church;
• The Most Revd Godfredo David, Iglesia Filipina Independiente;
• Bishop Mark Hanson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America;
• Bishop Susan Johnson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada;
• Archbishop Jukka Paarma, Finnish Lutheran Church;
• Bishop Ragnar Persenius, Church of Sweden;
• Archbishop Karl Sigurbjornsson, Icelandic Lutheran Church.

Jesus said,

I have spoken openly to the world. I have continually taught in some synagogue or in the Temple where all the Jews are wont to assemble, and I have said nothing in secret. (Weymouth NT, John 18.20)