The issue has emerged again with the approach of the Lambeth Conference and the inclusion in the invitation list of those who consecrated Gene Robinson.

On the one side of the question it is urged

* a) that the invitation to the Lord's Supper is from the Lord himself. It is not up to those who participate to exclude others.
* b) That among those at the last supper was Judas who betrayed Jesus.
* c) Paul writes: "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself." (1 Corinthians 11:28-29). Each must examine him/herself, not make judgements on others.
* d) Paul further writes: "The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?" (1 Corinthians 10:16) When we share in the cup and the bread, we automatically participate in the body of Christ, and become in full communion with those with whom we share the sacrament, but only with those who believe in Christ the Saviour, the one bread of life, not with unbelievers present.

On the other side of the question,

* a) the New Testament envisages that fellowship is broken for persistent immorality and for systematic false teaching ( Matt 18 : 15-18, 1 Cor 5:9-13, 2 Cor:6:14-18, 2 Thess 3:14, 2John 10). We are not even to eat with such people ( 1 Cor 5:11), let alone share in the Lord's Supper. The Church has followed this practice ever since, and has not restored people to fellowship around the Lord' s Table until they have repented and also spent a period of time as penitents.

* b) John 13.30 shows that Judas Iscariot left the company of Jesus and the disciples in the Upper Room. If he did not leave till after the institution of the Lord's Supper, as Luke 22:21 can be read to imply, it was because he had not carried out his act of betrayal. Repentance was still possible. Mark records a word of strong warning to Judas before the institution. (Mark 14.21). Acts 1.18-22 records that Judas committed suicide, and was removed posthumously from his place and role of leadership. The example of Judas does not give comfort to having regular fellowship at Holy Communion with those who persistently defy the Lord's teaching.

* c) People are indeed called to examine themselves before receiving the sacrament. Not everyone has the right to judge who should or should not receive. However the task of leaders in the Church is to decide who should be in such fellowship or not. See 1 Tim 5: 20, 2 Tim 3: 1-5, Tit 3:10. The rubrics in the Order for Holy Communion in the Prayer Book give the parish priest the responsibility of excluding 'notorious and evil-livers' from Communion. The Canons echo the biblical texts and also set out the particular role of the bishop in such circumstances.

* d) The passage in 1 Corinthians 10 is about fellowship with Christ and then with his people. Such fellowship excludes being, at the same time, in fellowship with demons (1 Cor 10: 20 - 22). We should not provoke the Lord to jealousy. This passage is about rigorous concern that we do not compromise our partaking of Christ with anything that is ungodly.

Seven Primates of the Global South issued this statement following their decision at the Dar-es-Salaam meeting because of the lack of reconciliation between them and The Episcopal Church.

"We each take the celebration of the Holy Eucharist very seriously. This deliberate action is a poignant reminder of the brokenness of the Anglican Communion. It makes clear that the torn fabric of the Church has been torn further. It is a consequence of the decision taken by our provinces to declare that our relationship with The Episcopal Church is either broken or severely impaired.

Scripture teaches that before coming to sit with one another at the Lord's Table we must be reconciled. (Matthew 5:23-26 and 1 Corinthians 11:27-29) We have made repeated calls for repentance by The Episcopal Church and its leadership with no success. We continue to pray for a change of heart.

We are unable to come to the Holy Table with the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church because to do so would be a violation of Scriptural teaching and the traditional Anglican understanding, "Ye that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways; Draw near with faith" (Book of Common Prayer)

This is a painful decision for us and also for our host and brother, the Most Rev'd Donald Mtetemela. He understands our painful dilemma and accepts our decision. Pray for the Church."

END