Residentvagabond’s Weblog

“Any Time you’re Lambeth Way 
Any Evening, any day
You’ll find us all (well…most of us)
Doin’ the Lambeth Walk”

The Lambeth Conference is a decadel gathering of bishops from the Anglican Communion, who assemble at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury.  During this 2 week conference they deliberate, debate, discuss, drink coffee and cause controversy.  However there is one bishop who is walking his own version of the Lambeth walk: Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, USA. Consecrated whilst wearing a bullet-proof vest in 2003, Bishop Robinson is the first openly gay Anglican bishop in the Communion.  880 bishops were invited to Lambeth this year yet Bishop Robinson was not on Rowan William’s guest list.  He came anyway - (I assume he had his flights booked in advance).  Out of the 880 bishops thought to have been invited, approximately 200 have declined the invitation.  Although not obliged to comment as to their reasons, it is speculated that they are not attending because of the recent decisions and resolutions made by the liberal wing of the Anglican Communion.  Women Bishops in England, Gay Bishops in America, and the blessing of the marriage of two gay priests in England are contributing factors to the tension within the Anglican Communion.  But will this be enough to break the back of this Anglican Camel? 

Bishop Gene Robinson is a complex figure.  A struggling homosexual; ordained as a priest; married then divorced; involved in a monogamous same-sex relationship; consecrated as a bishop; and a recovering alcoholic.  Is this same man single-handedly capable of causing an irrepairable schism within the Anglican Communion?  or is is he a sinful man, saved by grace, sent to challenge our interpretations of biblical texts regarding homosexuality? 

One one hand, Bishop Robinson is claimed to be a trouble maker, showing up where he is not invited.  On the other hand he claims to come in peace asking ”how can we hold onto one another while we figure this out?” (Andrew Marr show, BBC) 

Although not invited, Gene Robinson is at Lambeth.  Would you talk to him?  All comments gratefully received!

“Ev’rything’s free and easy,    
Do as you darn well pleasey,
Why don’t you make your way there,
Go there, stay there,

Once you get down Lambeth way,
Ev’ry evening, ev’ry day,
You’ll find yourself doin’ the Lambeth walk.”