O joy, o rapture unforeseen!

Who were these (male) bishops who held hands? I think we should be told.

"...then we held hands."

Boy, I feel better already.

Delighted to see that Rowan Williams's elaborate techniques have succeeded so well. What was the occasion of disedifying outbursts in 1998 has been one of constructive communion in 2008. At last Anglican bishops are learning to conduct their discussions in a civilized and Christian way. Cardinal Kasper's speech confirms that such discussion has not even begun in the RCC. I hope the Vatican will take up the indaba idea.

Celebrations may yet be premature, though we must hope not. Still, delighted, as ever, to have your support, Spirit. Now, how about turning your collar round (just for the nonce) and strolling along to St Patrick's or Christ Church, whose buildings are wonderful, choirs sublime, and Masses surely as good as anything in Dublin? (I was brought up C of E in Belfast.)

Yeah, I like the indaba idea a lot. In my parish, we also use the African Bible Study method.

Well, we did ask that the Holy Spirit might hover over the Bishops at Lambeth. On reflection, I think that the absence of certain other Bishops might have been God's way of enabling a more charitable Conference than was possible in 1988.

Praise God for ABC Rowan's Leadership - oft criticised, but palpably successful - in the context of the Indaba Group way of conversation. And what a wonderful idea; that no substantive legislation has been promulgated, that might have marred the genius of Anglicanism. Thank you all for really having a go at 'Keeping the Unity of the Spirit in the Bonds of Love' - Deo Gratias!

Perhaps the Bishops will return to their dioceses on fire with the will to engage with clergy and people in the Gospel outreach to the world - in their little part of it - with God's great love.

Christ is Risen, Alleluia! He is risen indeed. Alleluia Alleluia!

Holding hands is quite normal in pre-Modernb cultures. As it was in the West before Modernity ; = )

Why should't it?

Just a joke, Goran.

"then we held hands and said 'we've got to journey together.'""

And this, of course, is precisely what +Akinola feared would happen if he allowed his bishops to attend Lambeth. Listening, mutual respect, and empathy, all good Christian virtues, tend to extinguish anger. If you aren't angry, you are much more difficult to steer in the direction of schism. Imagine what would happen if a sizable number of his own bishops actually stopped believing their American counterparts were faithless, arrogant pagans trying to destroy the Gospel in the interests of political correctness or the continued colonialist oppression of Africans? Imagine how many bishops he'd have to consecrate to counterbalance the pernicious effect of mutual love and respect between Christians. Notice how hard +Orombi is working to offset the horrendous effects of "love thy neighbour" attitude.

I have a suspicion that not all - perhaps not many - of the African Diocesan Bishops prohibited by their Primates from attending the Lambeth Conference really wanted to stay away.

If Canterbury wants 'Obedience' to his authority, perhaps hee needs to take lessons from Their Supreme Holinesses; Akinola, Oromni, etc., qwho have issued the ban.

But then, we all know that the honourable title 'Primus Inter Pares' does not mean bullying your fellow bishops, but try telling that to some of the African Primates.

Watch this space for the announcement of the new
Primate of the Church of The Global South.