There are significant unanswered questions about the use of power both during and since Lambeth, writes Rebecca Chapman.
The theme of the recent Lambeth Conference convened by the Archbishop of Canterbury was ‘God’s Church for God’s World’. As Christians we know that ‘whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him’. Indeed, power and how it is used has been a theme through much of what has been said by Archbishop Justin. Not a surprise perhaps, given one of his earliest memories is having tea while weeping with Winston Churchill. Memories of power are, well, powerful!
Power was notably a theme during the safe church discussions at the Conference, but ran as a thread throughout the 12 days. Bishops were reminded of the temptations of power for ‘when we do not recognise our power we too easily misuse it’. All church leaders too ‘have power and authority by virtue of their role’. Power lies behind what the Archbishop called ‘the greatest paradox, the greatest puzzle of the church’ – how can institutions based on the gospel tolerate or even cover up evil things like abuse? As humans we can be tempted to preserve our own power, yet the more you cling onto power, ‘the more it slips through your fingers,’ he added.
