Named today by the Archbishop of Canterbury to lead a 16-member commission formed to report on “understandings of communion” that unite Anglicans worldwide, Archbishop Robin Eames of Ireland said this morning that opportunities for growth and reconciliation can be found amid “what some are calling a crisis” in Anglicanism worldwide as the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire proceeds with the November 2 ordination of a bishop living in a same-sex union with his male partner.

“We will try under God to provide channels on communication, channels of understanding, but most of all a path forward,” Archbishop Eames said in remarks to a previously scheduled gathering here of the Compass Rose Society, an organization of supporters of the mission of the Anglican Communion. “Please pray for me,” he asked.

Archbishop Eames, who from 1988-93 led a similar international commission on the ordination of women who now serve as priests and bishops in many of the Anglican Communion’s 38 member churches, said he did not accept the invitation from Dr Williams “easily” but “there are times in life that … a situation has to be addressed.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has announced the makeup and the terms of reference for a Commission to look at life in the Anglican Communion in the light of recent events. It is to be made up of members appointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and will be chaired by the Most Revd Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh.

The Commission, which is expected to begin its work early in the New Year, was formed as a result of a request from the recent Primates meeting at Lambeth Palace to the Archbishop of Canterbury. It will take particular account of the decision to authorise a service for use in connection with same sex unions in the Diocese of New Westminster, Canada, and the expected Consecration of the Revd Canon V Gene Robinson as Bishop Co-adjutor of New Hampshire in the Episcopal Church (USA) on Sunday, November 2nd.

The broad smiles and warm handshakes told it all. Christians and Muslims are back on track discussing the “heavenly religions,” as the Sunni Muslim leader put it.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, played a key role in re-establishing the dialogue that was disrupted in the wake of the election of Canon Gene Robinson – an openly gay man living in a committed relationship – as bishop of New Hampshire. A letter from him to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawy, delivered October 4, reassured the Sunni leader that Anglicans were not about to change their theology.

The letter which was delivered by the Episcopal Bishop in Egypt, the Rt Revd Dr Mouneer H Anis, said that the official position of the Anglican Communion over human sexuality remains unchanged.

When Archbishop Geoffrey Fisher returned from his historic visit to Pope John XXIII in 1960 he reported that the Holy Father asked him when the Anglicans would come back to the Catholic Church. Fisher replied: ‘We cannot come back but we can go forward together.’ At the time this revelation stunned and excited both Anglicans and Catholics. It appeared to mark one the most hopeful moments in the 424 bitter years since Henry VIII broke with Rome and changed the ‘Church in England’ into ‘the Church of England’

On reflection the comment raises more questions than it answers about the one Church that existed before the schism, and about the Churches that might be going ‘forward together’. If there is no going back to the oneness of the Church before 1534, in what sense will the Churches be one in the new togetherness?

A glance at the early Church in Britain, and a more detailed look at some of the various manoeuvrings toward going ‘forward together’ can give us a somewhat better understanding of the difficulties involved.

In an effort to forge closer links with the Roman Catholic Church, the Most Revd Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and president of the Anglican Communion, began a three-day visit to Rome yesterday, which will include a meeting with Pope John Paul II on October 4.

Archbishop Rowan is being accompanied by his wife, Mrs Jane Williams, and representatives of the Anglican Communion, including Canon James M Rosenthal and the Revd Canon Gregory Cameron. Also present as a member of the Archbishop’s official party is the Rt Revd Geoffrey Rowell, Bishop of the Diocese in Europe, who is responsible for overseeing the Anglican work in Rome.