More on Going to Lambeth

A while back I was contemplating whether our Bishops should go to the Lambeth Conference, the every-ten-years soiree hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. I decided they should. Here's an absolutely right-on reflection by an English bishop about going to Lambeth or not. Recently there have been some other comments by English bishops suggesting that bishops should actually stay away. I don't agree, so you'll have to find those links yourself. But here's Bishop Alan, the Bishop of Buckingham:

Someone asked me if I’m going to the Lambeth conference.

Yes, because I’ve been invited. Since 1867 it’s been the Archbishop’s personal bash. Does it have to be a Big Boys Business meeting for it to be worth my while? I am just not self-regarding enough to mind. If Rowan wants a Vatican Council Theme Party, fine. If he wants to partay by showing us his Simpsons Videos, fine. It's his party, not mine. There is a self-important little prat in me who feels business meetings matter more than parties. Jesus disagrees. The Sanhedrin has business meetings on Thursday nights. Jesus has a meal with his friends. This is a matter of substance as well as style. The 1662 Book of Common Prayer says how grievous and unkind a thing it is, when a man hath prepared a rich feast, decked his table with all kind of provision, so that there lacketh nothing but the guests to sit down; and yet they who are called (without any cause) most unthankfully refuse to come.

Read it all here. Hat tip to Thinking Anglicans.

RFSJ