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A look at some past Lambeth actions

1867 – The first Lambeth conference took place, called by Archbishop of Canterbury Charles Longley. Only 76 of the world’s 144 Anglican bishops attended.

1908 – Lambeth declared that those who had been divorced could not be remarried in the church, and condemned abortion and birth control.

1920 – Bishops at Lambeth suggested that women in Anglican churches could serve in any office for which a lay man would be eligible, but they took no action to insure such a change in member churches.

1948 – The conference reaffirmed its earlier declaration that war as a matter of settling international disputes is incompatible with the teaching and example of Jesus Christ.

1958 – Lambeth attempted to construct a complete theology of marriage and family, and noted for the first time that family planning was “a right and important factor in Christian family life.”

1978 – After women had been ordained in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Hong Kong, bishops called for patience and sensitivity on the matter of women’s ordination. They also noted the need for a “deep and dispassionate study of the question of homosexuality.”

1998 – For the first time, women bishops were part of the Lambeth Conference. After factional debates the gathering declared homosexual practice to be “incompatible with Scripture.” It also called on all member churches to undertake a listening process to learn more about homosexuality.

— Based on information by Christopher L. Webber for Episcopal Life Weekly