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Pastoral Letter

 

Pastoral Letter
February 21, 2007
Ash Wednesday

 

 

 

Thoughts on the Primates Meeting

 

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 

At the conclusion of the Primates Meeting, I have taken a couple of days to reflect on the communications that have come from the gathering. I commend to you the following documents for your reflection and study.

 

The Report of the Communion Sub-group
Anglican Communion News Service: Subgroup on Communion

The Report on Covenant Design
Anglican Communion News Service: Covenant Design

The Primates’ Communiqué
http://www.aco.org/primates/downloads/communique2007_english.pdf

The Presiding Bishop’s Reflections on the Primates Meeting
Episcopal News Service:  Presiding Bishop's Reflections

 

Regardless of our particular theological perspective, we all agree that at this time in the life of our Church there is a diversity of opinion around human sexuality and the decisions of our last two General Conventions. As a participant in the House of Bishops and the General Convention, I am aware of inaccurate representations and interpretations of those meetings by people who were not present. I do not want to see a similar mistake made regarding the Primates Meeting.

 

I look forward to the Presiding Bishop’s report to our House of Bishops in March. Upon my return, I will be better able to discuss with you and the people of the diocese these important issues. In the meantime, let us be mindful of the tension between our global relationships in our Anglican Communion and our more local pastoral concerns.

 

Many feel hurt and betrayed by the reports of the Primates Meeting. Others feel perplexed that the Primates communications are contradictory or unclear. Still others are pleased with the work. The sorrowful truth of our Communion is that we have hurt each other. As we recall our mortality and move towards a holy Lent, I ask each of us to be aware of the suffering and hurt of each other and God’s children throughout the world. This is a season for asking questions about our interior spiritual lives so that we may be more responsive and accountable to our Baptismal Covenant.

 

My prayer is that we can continue to be true to our Anglican heritage and practice a spirit of inquiry, gentle and receptive to others with whom we disagree. At this point in time, this posture would suggest that we be open to the words of the Primates as we also call them to listen to the perspective of our Episcopal Church.

 

Let us take this season of Lent to grow in our faith in Jesus Christ. By being faithful and listening to each other, new life in Christ can transform our Communion.

 

Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes
Bishop of San Diego