The Anglican world community is looking for a way out of the threatening schism in uniform rules for biblical interpretation. That's what the 670 Anglican bishops gathered for the Lambeth Conference in Canterbury discussed Wednesday. Common hermeneutical principles now to help resolve elementary disputes such as homosexuality. The guest was also Cardinal Walter Kasper of the Curia, who sees ecumenism in danger.
New Zealand Archbishop David Moxon had earlier presented a draft to the bishops on the matter. So far, the 38 independent provinces of the Anglican Communion have no common principles on the interpretation of Scripture. Whether Moxon's proposal will find a majority is not yet certain. The archbishop proposed four common principles: Jesus Christ, revealed through the Bible, would form the foundation of the "house of biblical interpretation". The context of origin of the writings is to be understood as an entrance and the challenges of today as walls, he said. The protecting roof is the church, which guarantees continuity with its tradition. The results of the consultations are to be included in the final document of the Lambeth Conference.