Pre-Lambeth Hospitality

I have been in Wales, in the Diocese of Llandaf, for the last five days, enjoying what is called "pre-Lambeth Hospitality." The other non-UK bishops in Llandaf were from Mexico, Australia, and also from our own Diocese of Milwaukee. Those three bishops were hosted in Cardiff, while I was the guest of Peter and Teann Leonard, who serve a rural parish comprised of three medieval churches some fifteen miles out of Cardiff.
 
Wales is a province of the Anglican Communion, with its own Archbishop, The Most Rev. Barry Morgan. Archbishop Morgan spoke to the news while I was in Wales to say that if his Church agreed he would be willing to ordain a partnered gay or lesbian bishop, a strong statement in the United Kingdom at this time.
 
The four visiting bishops spoke at a forum hosted by a parish church in the diocese. We each spoke for about five minutes, describing the dioceses we serve, our sense of mission today, and our hopes for the Lambeth Conference. There was remarkable commonality among us, running beneath differences that have to do with both personality and the character of the dioceses we serve.
 
We all have a sense of urgency about the need for the Church, in both its local expressions and as a global body, to work with the poor and the oppressed. An important difference, I think, between my position and theirs as we head into the conference is that I believe the struggle for the recognition of LGBT people in the Church and in civil society is part of the overall struggle for justice and reconciliation, and not a separate choice. Nevertheless, I am encouraged by the common ground we shared, and by the great hospitality I received and the strong support I received from Archbishop Morgan and Bishop David.
 
I'm now in Oxford for a small retreat before the conference begins.