Rowan Williams Goes Into the Closet

Rowan Williams is apparently daring Schism with the disclosure that he plans to celebrate a [not so]“secret” communion service for gay clergy and their partners in London. From the UKTimes:

Dr Williams will celebrate the eucharist at St Peter’s, Eaton Square, the Church of England parish known as a home to the country’s liberal and wealthy Anglican elite. Dr Williams will also give an address titled: “Present realities and future possibilities for lesbians and gay men in the Church.”

The event has been organised under the “Chatham House Rule” which prevents any disclosure of the discussions there or even when and where it is taking place. It takes place at 10am on 29 November.

Dr Williams has asked to know who will be present. Names will be on a list which will be shown to the Archbishop only and the list will be shredded once seen by Dr Williams. Among those attending will be convenor Chris Newlands, chaplain to the Bishop of Chelmsford, the Right Rev John Gladwin.

The Archbishop of Canterbury certainly has impeccable timing. The disclosure of Williams secret venture into the closet comes just a week before he is scheduled to meet with U.S. Bishops to discuss the crisis. A crisis, mind you, brought on by LGBT gang within the Anglican Communion.

Things had gone from bad to worse lately with more orthodox African Archbishops consecrating U.S. pastors of the same mind. This latest disclosure will only serve to more clearly draw the divide. It will be interesting to see the reaction of the rest of the communion to this news.

This just might be the final nail in the coffin of Rowan Williams and the Anglican communion.