Windsor Report Chair ‘Dismayed’ by Skewed News Coverage
The head of the committee that drafted the Anglican Communion’s Windsor Report on homosexuality and unity said he was “dismayed” at the Church of England newspaper for taking his words “out of context” in implying that he had no hope for the Report’s effectiveness.
In an article released last week, the Church of England newspaper claimed that Irish Primate Archbishop Robin Eames “warned that the Communion’s conservative provinces should not expect calls to be answered for the American Church and diocese of Westminster, which authorized same-sex blessings, to be punished.”
On Dec. 10, Archbishop Eames refuted the newspaper’s claims, saying that “nothing could be further” from what was portrayed.
“I have been dismayed that certain remarks of mine in a telephone interview with the Church of England Newspaper have been taken completely out of context to mean I believe the Windsor Report will not have much effect,” said Eames. “Nothing could be further from my hopes and convictions for the Windsor Report which contains the unanimous recommendations of the Lambeth Commission after a year's prayerful work.”
Eames, who was quoted as saying he must “be a realist” and “recognize that there won’t be expressions of regret” by the American church, despite the Windsor Report’s suggestion to do so, said in his new statement that he fully supports to Report’s recommendations.
" Those unanimous recommendations are already receiving widespread and thoughtful study and response,” he said. “They will now go to the Primates Meeting in February with my full endorsement as Chairman of the Commission. Some of the recommendations relate to long-term adjustments to the way we do things as Anglicans and will need a process of continued study and discussion. Other unanimous recommendations relate to immediate problems and need to be implemented by the Primates.
“I would again emphasise that the Lambeth Commission Report contains the unanimous recommendations of a widely representative body of Anglicans from around the world. The Report has my full support and endorsement as Chairman of the Lambeth Commission and represents my own personal views on the problems facing the Anglican Communion at this time."
