Statement from Archbishop Peter Jensen on decision to call a Primates’ Meeting

I welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury’s move to call a special meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion. This is clear evidence of the gravity of the crisis into which the Communion has moved.

The decision at the ECUSA Convention to confirm the election as a bishop of Canon Gene Robinson has raised acute concern around the worldwide Communion.

The majority of Anglican leaders, with clergy and lay men and women believe this decision is contrary to the teaching of the Scripture and a turning away from the traditional moral teaching of the Church that is based in that same Scripture.

We have anticipated that many Primates who share this deep concern would wish to meet to discuss their plans for a way forward. They will need to determine how best mainstream, orthodox Anglicans in parishes and dioceses can be supported and pastored in their opposition, based on biblical grounds, to this recent ECUSA decision as well as that in the diocese of New Westminster earlier this year.

I trust that the Primates in their meeting will affirm the long-established teaching of the Church, and that they will seek for unity. But it must be a unity grounded in the consensus of time-honoured Christian understanding of biblical teaching on human sexuality. Biblical truth is the sure foundation of Christian unity.

Dr Peter Jensen
Arcbishop of Sydney
August 9, 2003
____________________________________________________
CONTACT:
Margaret Rodgers, Anglican Media Sydney
Ph: 61 2 9265 1507
0411 692 499

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