Statement From The Archbishop Of Canterbury

Archbishop Of Canterbury Calls For Unity Amidst Division

Lambeth Conference Ends With Call For 'Reconciliation And Peace'

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called for unity amidst what he described as “deep divisions” within the Anglican Communion after the conclusion of the Lambeth Conference.

The conference, which brought together Anglican bishops from around the world, ended with a call for “reconciliation and peace” after a week of intense debate over issues such as homosexuality and the role of women in the church.

In a statement, Welby said that the conference had been “a time of deep listening and honest conversation” and that he was “grateful for the willingness of all participants to engage in difficult conversations with respect and love.”

“We have also recognized the deep divisions that exist within our Communion on issues including human sexuality,” Welby said. “These differences are a source of great pain and division, and we need to find ways to live with them and with each other in Christian love and respect.”

Welby said that the conference had agreed to set up a new working group to “listen and learn” from Anglicans who have different views on these issues.

“The working group will help us to understand the different perspectives that exist within our Communion and to develop ways to live with them in Christian love and respect,” Welby said. “We need to find ways to live with our differences in Christian love and respect.”

The Lambeth Conference is held every 10 years and is one of the most important events in the Anglican calendar. This year's conference was attended by over 650 bishops from around the world.

The conference was overshadowed by the issue of homosexuality, with some bishops calling for the Anglican Communion to change its teaching on same-sex marriage.

In a statement, Welby said that he was “deeply saddened” by the divisions that exist within the Anglican Communion on this issue.

“I believe that the Bible teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman,” Welby said. “However, I also believe that we need to find ways to live with our differences in Christian love and respect.”

The Lambeth Conference ended with a call for “reconciliation and peace” and a commitment to “listen and learn” from Anglicans who have different views on these issues.