LGCM Press Briefing 8 Sept 2003


Manchester Cathedral's decision to renege on their agreement to host the LGCM  conference service has resulted in several offers of venues for worship in the centre of Manchester. The decision to ban the service which is part of the LGCM conference "Half Way to Lambeth" came as a total surprise to those organising the service who less than two weeks before were assured of the Cathedral Chapter's continuing support for the Sunday morning act of worship.


Originally LGCM had suggested attending the regular Sunday morning service at  the Cathedral but as discussions progressed with Cathedral staff it was decided by all concerned that it was probably better for a separate service so that regular worshippers did not feel swamped by conference delegates. This is normal practice for the Cathedral dealing with conferences held in the city when large numbers were expected to attend Divine Service.


There had been a great spirit of co-operation between the Cathedral and LGCM - only when LGCM suggested Bishop Michael Ingham from New Westminster in Canada as the preacher at the service did any difficulties arise. Even then there was no initial resistance or concern, Bishop Ingham is a diocesan bishop within the Anglican Communion and although some provinces of the Anglican Church have decided to sever relations with him no such decision had been announced in England, where he remains in good standing.


As is custom the diocesan bishop was consulted, it was then the problems first began. The Bishop of Manchester refused permission for his fellow bishop to preach. LGCM asked for a written statement from him outlining his reasons why. No such written statement has been received. A search began for an alternative and the Cathedral Chapter remained committed when an acceptable alternative could be found.


Our information now confirms that it was as a direct result of the intervention of the Bishop of Manchester that the Cathedral Chapter abruptly changed their mind and withdrew the agreed plan for a separate service. While the decision had to be reached by the Chapter, their statement makes it clear it came after consultation with the bishop's senior staff - the only person NOT mentioned, the main player, the bishop himself.


LGCM notes with regret that the bishop is unable to make it clear he was behind this decision. While it may be the custom for senior officials to hide behind their functionaries when making contentious decisions we believe that it is unfair on the Cathedral authorities to bear alone the opprobrium this scandalous breach of trust has caused. Though we are saddened that the Chapter were unable to resist this pressure.


We find the brief statement from the Cathedral, claiming it has acted out of  sensitivity to the situation in the Anglican communion, risible. It seems most commentators and even members of the Cathedral congregation agree. We welcome the open letter from a regular worshipper published on Manchester Cathedral's own web site calling into question the Chapter's decision.


We are at a loss to understand how any thinking person could make this move believing it to be a sensitive response to the situation. Where there was once an act of worship there is now a scandal attracting the attention of the world's media. Even those who might have been assuaged have already said they are not placated as the Cathedral should not have offered us a home in the first place.


It is laughable to view this action as part of any quiet and thoughtful reflection. It is confrontational, demeaning and disruptive. It has had the effect of increasing the tensions that exist and focusing on the divisions within Anglicanism in a very hurtful way. As one member of LGCM commented: "It is better never to have been invited to a celebration, than to be invited and then told by the host you are not welcome."


Now plans move forward to find an alternative venue for our Sunday worship.
We call on the Bishop of Manchester to do four things

1. To come clean and admit he was behind this disastrous policy.

2. Allow free, fair, quiet and prayerful discussion of the issues of human sexuality in his diocese.

3. To show his concern for hundreds of members of his own Church looking for a place to worship God on that Sunday - and offer us a place for Divine Service.

4. If  he is committed to careful reflection then to come and listen to the discussion at our Conference "Half Way to Lambeth".


What we hope we do not meet are further obstacles - not directly from the  bishop of course - as we explore the offers already made by Christians of good will who want to help us worship God.


The current debate within Anglicanism centres on the ministries of two men, Bishop Michael Ingham of New Westminster in British Columbia, Canada and Bishop elect Gene Robinson of New Hampshire in the United States of America. Both these men will be at the LGCM conference in Manchester. These invitations were accepted at a time when no one could have known how important these men were to be in the future of the Anglican Communion. There can be no more opportune time to have them in this country and listen to these churchmen who have found themselves at the centre of this controversy.

ENDS

Further details from Richard Kirker 020 7739 1249 mobile 07798 805428