Archbishop Hutchison briefs Canterbury on General Synod’s actions on sexuality

For the first time since his election in May, Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, met Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury recently to discuss a variety of issues, including decisions at last June’s General Synod, particularly on sexuality.

The one-and-a-half hour meeting took place at Lambeth Palace, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s official residence, on Sept. 2.

“This was a private visit simply as a new primate presenting my credentials, as it were, to the archbishop and having a chance to meet him privately before we have to tackle some of the different issues of the (Anglican) Communion, of which we are a part,” said Archbishop Hutchison, who invited Archbishop Williams to a joint meeting next spring of Canadian bishops and some American bishops.

Archbishop Hutchison acknowledged that “part of the meeting was my opportunity to clarify the actions of our General Synod, my understanding of those actions.”

The Canadian primate was referring to the passage of a controversial amendment to a resolution on same-sex blessings that affirmed the “integrity and sanctity of committed adult same-sex relationships,” which has been subjected to varying interpretations.