This story was updated Tuesday, July 26 to include information about revisions to the Lambeth Call on Human Dignity.
As bishops from across the worldwide Anglican Communion began gathering for a once-in-a-decade conference, a controversy began swirling around the issue of LGBTQIA+ rights in the Church. But as quickly as the controversy began, it seems to have ended in a way that, as Missouri Bishop Deon Johnson says, expresses our ability to "agree to disagree without being disagreeable."
The Lambeth Conference is a time for prayer and reflection, fellowship and dialogue on church and world affairs. The conference of bishops is meeting July 26 through August 8, 2022, in Canterbury, England. More than 650 bishops are registered to attend, including more than 100 from The Episcopal Church. The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson, Bishop of Missouri, is attending.
One week before the conference began, all bishops received the Lambeth Calls, a document that focuses on ten separate topics to be addressed during the conference. One of the sentences in the Call on Human Dignity stated, "It is the mind of the Anglican Communion as a whole that same gender marriage is not permissible."
That line drew a strong reaction among U.S. bishops, including Missouri Bishop Deon Johnson and Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
Bishop Deon Johnson issued this statement on July 21, 2022, regarding the Lambeth Calls:
"I have seen and read the call document and I am very disappointed that the planners of Lambeth have chosen to include in the call for human dignity a divisive and exclusionary clause that will cause not just spiritual pain, but further fracture within the Anglican Communion. We have worked hard to build relationships across differences and forge Christ-centered mission partnerships in the years since Lambeth 1998. My prayer is that we will be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit and move past division into true communion with compassion and hope."
Read a statement from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry about the Lambeth Calls and the letter he sent to the bishops of The Episcopal Church.
Read a message from Archbishop Justin Welby about the Lambeth Calls.
On Tuesday, July 26, conference planners significantly rewrote the Call on Human Dignity to say: "Many Provinces continue to affirm that same gender marriage is not permissible.... Other Provinces have blessed and welcomed same sex union/marriage after careful theological reflection and a process of reception. As Bishops we remain committed to listening and walking together to the maximum possible degree, despite our deep disagreement on these issues."
Here is Bishop Deon Johnson's reaction to the revision:
"I am grateful for the revisions made to the Lambeth Calls, particularly the Human Dignity Call, which more accurately and truthfully expresses where we are as an Anglican Communion, while honoring our differences. This is agreeing to disagree without being disagreeable. I suspect the Holy Spirit is at work in the midst of our gathering."
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby invited partnered gay and lesbian bishops to the Lambeth Conference for the first time in Lambeth history, but declined to invite their spouses. Missouri Bishop Deon Johnson is one of four openly gay partnered bishops elected since the historic 2003 election of the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson.
The Lambeth Conference comes just a few weeks after the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church. GC80 passed 14 resolutions, with little or no debate, speaking to the full inclusion and protection of LGBTQ+ persons in the life of The Episcopal Church and the larger society.
Read the full story about LGBTQ+ legislation at GC80 from Episcopal News Service.
In a July 25 posting on Facebook, Bishop Deon shared this message:
Walk & Witness:
As I prepare to travel to London for the Lambeth Conference, after spending time here in Scotland, I am reminded that our journey was about walking and witnessing. We have been pilgrims here in Scotland walking together as companions bearing witness to bonds that cross boundaries, and borders.
As I prepare for my time at Lambeth I am aware of being a first. Firsts are hard. Yet firsts pave the way for others. We are once again debating the dignity and worth of LGBTQIA+ members of the Body of Christ. Old wounds have been reopened. Fresh wounds are being inflicted.
To my LGBTQIA+ siblings know that my dignity and worth, your dignity and worth does not come from resolutions, or calls or legislation, they come from a God who names us and claims us as beloved! No amount of posturing or power-grabbing can deny our place at the table because God is founder of the feast! All are welcomed all are fed!
I along with the other LGBTQIA+ bishops will bear witness to our stories, to your stories. No matter the outcome, no matter the rancor, no matter the vitriol I know, you know, we know that we are wonderfully and fearfully made and NOTHING can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
One of the things that I brought with me to wear at Lambeth is a stole given to me by the youth of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. It is covered on the back in prayers, hymns, and scriptures chosen by the youth. It reminds me that together we walk and witness to the astonishing power of God.
So I will walk. I will witness. I will not be afraid.