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Australian Lambeth boycott widens
By Market-Place
April 17, 2008

A second diocesan bishop has pulled out of Lambeth.

North West Australia (NWA) 's Bishop David Mulready has decided not to accept the invitation to attend the conference.

"I have decided not to attend after many months of prayerful consideration and conferring with others," NWA's bishop wrote in a pastoral letter to his parishes February 7.

"While I understand the argument that it is better to be present and make my views known, I don't believe that anything worthwhile will be achieved."

"If I was to attend Lambeth I feel that I would betray those bishops who have not been invited and be seen to support those who flout their unbiblical agenda," he  said. "Having said that, I do respect those bishops who feel that they must attend."

Bishop Mulready told his parishes he plans to attend the alternative 'Global Anglican Future conference (GAFCON) instead.

"I have decided to attend this conference which promises to be positive and future looking," Bishop Mulready said.

The NWA decision comes in the wake of the announcement in February by Sydney's archbishop and assistant bishops not to attend Lambeth in July, but instead attend the GAFCON event in the Middle East.

The Primate Archbishop Phillip Aspinall believes all other Australian bishops will be going to Lambeth.

"I expect everyone else to be there and I haven't had any indications to the contrary from Australia," Archbishop Aspinall said.

SEE ALSO:

* Sydney's lay, clergy leaders back Lambeth boycott (12 March 2008)

* Sydney Boycotts Lambeth (12 February 2008) :

* Lambeth not optional for Anglican bishops (12 February 2008)