Sunday Eucharist at Canterbury Cathedral by Larry Benfield

When people think of the Lambeth Conference, today is probably what they imagine: over 600 bishops dressed in rochets, scarlet chimeres, and tippets, walking in procession through the Great West Door of Canterbury Cathedral. This was what many people would consider the kick-off Eucharist of the conference, and its pageantry did not disappoint anyone in attendance.

Police officers were everywhere in evidence as we walked the two blocks from our buses to the precinct gate of the cathedral. Various demonstrators, one of whom used a puppet to represent what was apparently the beast from the book of Revelation, joined those officers. Lots of press representatives were on hand to record the event. In the face of several signs rather dismissive of bishops, one of our young stewards held a small sign on yellow paper that said, "We love bishops." I welcomed his bit of good news and support.

The most amazing logistical feat of the day may have been the fact that the vergers were able to herd over 600 bishops, public officials, and other dignitaries in a procession that lasted thirty minutes and still start the Eucharist as planned at exactly 11 o’clock.

The music and words of our worship spanned the globe. Melanesian dancers accompanied the gospel on its trip into the nave. The choir used Latin words for much of the service, but the musical setting was Congolese, drums accompanying the ancient words. The readings and prayers included selections in English, Swahili, Portuguese, French, Korean, and Hindi. My own personal musical highlight was during communion when the choir singing the Thomas Tallis setting to “Loquebantur variis” (“The apostles spoke in many tongues”).

Another highlight was the sermon given by the Rt. Rev. Duleep de Chickera, the bishop of Colombo (Sri Lanka). He reminded all of us bishops that we do not come to the Lambeth Conference as independent agents; we can only come with our people. He said that we are being called to do three things as Anglican bishops. First, we are to exercise self scrutiny, always to be cognizant of the truth that it is too easy to look for the tiniest of flaws in our brothers and sisters while ignoring grave ones in ourselves. Second, we are called to be people who live with unity in diversity. He said that there is room in the church for all, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Third, he said that Anglicans are called to be prophetic. In particular, we are to be the voice for the voiceless and call the institutions of the world to task. When he finished, a bishop sitting near me behind the high altar began clapping, and it spread throughout much of the cathedral.

I was also amazed from where I sat at the quietness with which distributing communion to thousands of people took place. Yes, there was music, but there were also periods of utter silence, a silence I noted all the more as I sat within about four feet of where the shrine of the martyr Thomas Becket stood for centuries, and thought on what it means to “walk the slow and dangerous way” mentioned in one of our hymns today. All in all, it was a profoundly moving event, and I was especially mindful of all the good folk who have accompanied me here with their prayers. I know those same prayers will stay with me as we begin the serious work of this conference.