Lesbian and Gay Christians Announce New Venue for Conference
Service in Manchester
Halfway to Lambeth conference, Manchester 24-26th Oct
Manchester Cathedral, the bishop and his senior staff yesterday (1st
Oct 03) invited the conference Halfway to Lambeth organised by the
Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement to attend the normal Cathedral
Sunday morning service (October 26th). LGCM were told that the
bishop of Manchester (Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch) would preside at the
Eucharist. LGCM were also told that the preacher would not be LGCM's
choice, namely Bishop Michael Ingham of New Westminster, Canada.
The diocese has experienced a huge critical reaction following
their decision on 9th September to renege on their long term
agreement to host a separate Sunday morning service for those
attending the conference.
Prominent members of the Cathedral congregation have left their
posts and two senior priests protested the decision by resigning as
Area Deans (an extra middle management job held by some clergy in
addition to another post).
In the interim the conference organisers have received several
warm and generous offers from local churches to host the Sunday
morning act of worship.
The General Secretary of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement:
The Revd Richard Kirker commented today:
"We have been overwhelmed by offers of support and encouragement
by the people of Manchester and many others since the decision to
expel us from the Cathedral was taken.
"This included offers from several central Manchester Anglican
churches to hold a Sunday morning service in their buildings. We
have been touched by the warmth and openness that has accompanied
these generous offers, along with their willingness to co-operate in
every way possible to make those attending the Conference feel
genuinely welcome.
"We have accepted the invitation from Rev Ian Gomersal, Vicar of
St Chrysostoms Church, adjacent to the University of Manchester, and
look forward to worshipping God at the conference service with them
on that Sunday (October 26th 2003) at 12.30. All are invited.
"We are sad not to worshipping at the Cathedral. We believe the
bishop and Chapter have been genuinely taken aback by the shock and
reaction their decision to exclude us caused.
"We have now received an invitation to attend the Cathedral's
regular morning service but it comes too late in the day, and with
new unacceptable conditions, for us to change our plans once again.
"While we are happy that the Cathedral is now in a position to
welcome us even though it would be on very different terms, those
who are organising the conference at local and national levels felt,
after consultation, that the service should now take place at some
distance from all the controversy that has blown up around this
simple act of worship.
"It would be difficult for all those attending, both from the
Cathedral congregation and conference delegates, to be focused in
the prayerful and joyful way. We would not like to feel awkward or
limited in our praise of God, nor feel we are the cause of any such
anxiety to others.
"It was for this reason we and the Cathedral authorities
originally decided a separate service was preferable when we first
broached the possibility of worshipping there.
"What is now important is to see the future with some hope,
particularly as the bishop has decided to constitute an Advisory
Group on Gay Issues. We look forward to seeing the terms of
reference of that group, and if they are acceptable, to playing an
active part in its life."
ENDS
2 October 2003
For further information on the Halfway to Lambeth Conference
please go to:
Halfway to Lambeth.
Further Details:
Rev Richard Kirker 020 7739 1249 or 07798 805428
or Rev Martin Reynolds 01633 215841
email
lgcm@lgcm.org.uk
Registered Charity No 1048842