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Mal Fletcher Meets Archbishop
27 June 2006
During a special round-table meeting held in the UK in May, Mal Fletcher met the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams. As the leader of the worldwide Anglican fellowship, Dr. Williams is a very busy man, especially during the present crisis talks within the communion regarding the American church's stance on homosexuals in priesthood.
Mal was part of a small group of invited charismatic leaders who were able to ask Dr. Williams questions and hear his views on various issues during a five-hour session together.
The meeting was organised by Gerald Coates, the founder and leader of Britain's Pioneer Network of churches. Gerald has long worked to bring new influence to the church and to see the church become more prophetic to its community.
After the meeting, Mal said: 'I found the Archbishop to be very approachable and quite transparent. He is known as an intellectual and, it would be true to say not the most easy-to-understand public communicator.'
'In this meeting, though, we found him to be very transparent; a very human individual who is trying to work through difficult issues at a difficult time for the communion that he leads.'
At the time of this writing, the Church of England is facing possible schism with the membership of the American fellowship under threat because of its very liberal stance on installing homosexual priests.
Mal put to Dr. Williams a question regarding the emphasis on multi-faith and 'religious diversity' which currently pervades all aspects of the mainstream British media.
'What do I say to younger people who are involved in the media,' Mal asked, 'who constantly express to me their frustration with being unable to express their Christian values within their media work?'
Dr. Williams' responded: 'I'm not asking the media to return to a time, such as the sixteenth century, where the church had political power and control.
'I am, however, asking that they don't disadvantage Christianity which is, after all, the root of our heritage.'
Mal adds: 'Please pray for Dr. Williams and the worldwide Anglican fellowship at this difficult time. Pray especially that they're able to make decisions on the basis of biblical revelation and not political expediency.'
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