MANCHESTER, September 20, 2007  – Two Archbishops are to speak at Manchester Cathedral, calling for the Church of England to be inclusive.

The Archbishop of Mexico and the leader of the Scottish Episcopal Church are taking part in a conference Celebrating Anglican Diversity, which will celebrate the long tradition of a diverse Church that welcomes all people.  It is being held on September 29.

■  The Most Rev. Carlos Touche-Porter

Most Rev. Carlos Touche-Porter, Archbishop Mexico, has longstanding experience of inclusion and diversity issues within the Church, including the place of gay and lesbian Christians.

He is part of an emerging network of Anglican Bishops based mainly in Latin America (“the Global Centre”) aiming to celebrate the unity and diversity of the Communion.

“Inclusion is a reality in the Anglican Church, despite reports to the contrary,” Archbishop Carlos said:

“I am very much looking forward to being in the UK as part of our preparations for a positive Lambeth Conference.”

This weekend, the American Episcopal Church will decide at a meeting in New Orleans this weekend if it will continue to ordain gay clergy.

By the time the Manchester conference takes place, it is possible that a few African Dioceses, and some US bishops, may have taken public action and split from the Anglican Church.

The conference, which is an Inclusive Church event, will consider how the Anglican Church moves forward if a split has occurred – or what the agenda might be if it hasn’t.

“Manchester Cathedral sits at the centre of a diverse vibrant city,” commented the Very Rev. Rogers Govender, the Dean of Manchester Cathedral.

“One important aspect of the Cathedral is to help people debate and encourage communities to share and grow.

“I hope this Inclusive Church day will be an important part of that process, celebrating and maintaining the traditional inclusivity and diversity within the Anglican Communion.

“This conference continues the Diverse Opinions Programme begun earlier this year by Manchester Cathedral which included a visit by Bishop Drexel Gomez.”

Archbishop Carlos is Patron of the Inclusive Church network and will be speaking about inclusive Anglicanism from the perspective of the “global centre” at a number of events around the country ahead of the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

The Primus of Scotland, who will also be taking part in the conference, is the The Most Rev. Idris Jones

The Conference, on Saturday September 29 at Manchester Cathedral, is from 11:30 am to 3.30 pm.  It will include a Eucharist which will be celebrated by Rev. Alma Savant, a local vicar.

Cost is £5 which includes lunch.  To reserve a place, telephone 0161 833 2220.

LINK

website

 

Posted: 20 September 2007 at 00:00 (UK time)