Lambeth at the doors: a place for hear God's voice

"I'm going with hope and apprehension !"

That phrase was said to me by one of our bishops who are on the way to the Lambeth Conference. It is a summary of the very real feeling of all bishops who will attend the first Conference of the 21st century, whose agenda will be marked by the pursuit of a better equipment for the mission. Every effort was made by the Design Group toward better facilitate the coexistence, the study and sharing of experiences among participants, thereby avoiding the character of plenary discussions and votes on divisive theological disputes.

Of course, present issues such as sexuality, environment, women in the episcopate, bioethics, among others will not be left aside. Facing this agenda is part of the challenge that the Church has to interact within the global society. What we hope in this Conference is a change of method and the spirit in which the reflection and the dialogue will be developed .
Certainly, Canterbury is not a place to find victory or defeat. There is not a place for express power and influence. There will not be a place to see who else occupies the spotlight.
We all, in every Province and every diocese around the world, are praying for our bishops. And wishing some very important attitudes from them: firstly, they must listen to the voice of the Spirit. Secondly, they must listen to the world and their pastoral needs. And thirdly they must listen to their own hearts in the presence of God. None of them is demanded to anticipate what each of them interprets about God's will. Canterbury must be a place for hear God's voice!
Usually, bishops tend to be very fast speakers. The charge demands. Statements, guidelines, opinions about everything are demanded from who have the role of supervision. This is part of episcopal ministry. That pressure, however can lead to a difficulty to hear. And therein lies greatest risk to the Church and for society. The risk to be talking about what is not being asked.
This conference is an opportunity to listen much more than to talk. Our prayers for all bishops who will be seeking the strengthening of their offices. Our hope is that the Anglican Communion do not need to become a map where you can see who is more or less orthodox. Our wish is that the Anglican Communion continues to be a beautiful mosaic of colors, sounds, smells and great humility to listen what God is trying to say us about his unconditional love for the humankind!

Women Bishops: Looking for the future!

"We want to take hold of our future and we are gripped, paralyzed, by our past"

In his sermon yesterday, before an audience divided and shaken by the last debates at the CofE's General Synod, the Archbishop Rowan Williams told about future and past. I brought the above phrase to reflect about the tension that in this special moment of our Communion is putting bodies in different sides.
Within Church of England the debate is now around women episcopate. One of the most moving moments I lived was in 1994, at Bristol Cathedral, when the first 32 females priests were ordained in the church of England. I told in that time to BBC reporter, outside the Cathedral after the ceremony I was so happy and my comprehension were that Church of England was giving a magnificent step to be authentically inclusive. I was in that time studying at Selly Oak, Birmingham.
Normally debates on the issue of women ministry had been so hard trough times. Brazil was the first South America Church to approve women ordination to all three orders, in 1984. It was a very difficult process. Many people were so scandalized by the idea os a woman preside at the altar. Despite we have not yet a woman bishop - the legal permission exist since 24 years ago - we had candidates that were submitted to diocesan and synodical votes. About 20% of our clergy today is female.
We need to look forward to make advances in a comprehension of equality within the Church. Many people are so linked with a past of consecrated 'culture'. They remember to me as the Lot's wife that lost herself in becoming so bounded to what she left behind.
Many people are making this same way: bounded in a perspective of fear and traditionalism. The Church of England has the opportunity to experience what is still a reality: women are contributing for the people's growth and maturity!
England has historically a very prominent female role: remember Elizabeth I - her role in establish the bases of an inclusive church - and others courageous women who ruled this nation.
I pray for Church of England do not fail the occasion to have them leading the Church. Look for the future!