THE DIOCESE of New Hampshire has urged the Archbishop of Canterbury to reconsider his ban on Bishop Gene Robinson attending the Lambeth Conference, saying his inclusion would be a sign that Anglicanism welcomes all people.In a May 29 letter, the diocesan standing committee and council said they “vehemently protest” Dr Rowan Williams’ decision to exclude Bishop Robinson from Lambeth and his ban on the New Hampshire bishop’s preaching or officiating while in England.
"Not including our bishop means that you also exclude our representation and participation," the letter said. "Your decisions are an insult to the people of the Diocese of New Hampshire, who have duly and canonically elected him bishop."
The diocese said the “the ethos of the Anglican Communion is to try to bring all parties to the table in an effort to help all people respect differences, learn from one another, promote tolerance and emphasize what we have in common in Jesus Christ."
While he has not given Bishop Robinson a licence to officiate in the Province of Canterbury, no preaching ban has been imposed. A spokesman for Lambeth Palace told CEN it would not comment on private correspondence.
In a press conference in New York last month, US Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori stated Bishop Robinson would be “present round the edges” of the Lambeth Conference. He would be “at least as present as if he had been given an invitation”, the Presiding Bishop said, noting his fellow New England bishops would be hosting a reception for him at the conference.
Bishop Robinson will also have a stall at the Lambeth marketplace and has announced plans to mount a media blitz during the conference to highlight the issue of homosexuality.
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