The split in the Christian Church following the 2003 ordination of gay bishop, Gene Robinson, still helps to keep the Anglicans divided nearly five years later.

The Anglican Church in Uganda feels so strongly about certain issues which are tolerated – and even supported – by other Anglican churches, the future of the single worldwide Anglican Church movement is becoming increasingly doubtful.

This summer’s Lambeth Conference, to be held in England, could well be the last such conference of its kind if the current trend continues.

Ugandan Attitude

The Ugandan Church is approximately 8 million members strong and is one of the more traditional Anglican churches in the world.

Its main objection is what it perceives as a liberal American Anglican approach to homosexuality following the ordination of Gene Robinson. It is also against thecontinuing blessing of same-sex relationships, which strictly goes against the Biblical teaching of a man for a woman.

Instead, Anglican bishops from Uganda are likely to attend a similar conference organised by traditionalists in Jerusalem.

The Lambeth Conference

The Lambeth Conference is a meeting of the world’s senior clergy and takes place in England at the invitation of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The website says that “It is the one occasion when all bishops can meet for worship, study and conversation. Archbishops, diocesan, assistant and suffragan bishops are invited...Also invited are bishops from other churches 'in communion' with the Anglican Communion, bishops from United Churches and a number of ecumenical guests.”

For this reason, the Lambeth Conference is a major event in the Anglican calendar and any boycott of it has to be taken very seriously for the future of the Church.

The Impact of the African Churches on the Anglican Church

Canon Dr Chris Sugden of the Anglican Mainstream, a network of orthodox churches and parishes, said Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya and Rwanda would all be missing at the July conference, covering some 30 million members.

In different ways, these more traditional Christian Churches have been protesting and seeking a review of Anglican issues since 2003 but have failed to find any satisfactory answer.

With a worldwide population of over 70 million, the Anglican Church is at risk of losing over 40% of its members if these African nations pull out, leaving England with by far the greatest concentration of numbers and possibly what will become the home of the liberal or progressive Anglicans, but unable to prevent those with the more traditional view from breaking away. (Factfile: Anglican Church around the world)

The Consequences for Anglicanism

Anglicanism, which is more of a Christian movement than a strict denomination, is made up of a cluster of churches with differing views but often a general consensus. The problem with this is whether it’s strong enough to withstand such a strong rebellion.

These debates are not recent and the divides appear to be deep. The latest threat to boycott the Lambeth Conference now sends a clear signal for urgent action, but it seems as though neither side wants to back down.

With a looming Church split likely to rival the Great Schism of 1054 and the Reformation of the 16th Century, the future for the Anglican Church looks bleak.

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Uganda boycotts Anglican meeting