Lambeth Conference facts for kids

The Lambeth Conference is a big meeting for bishops from the Anglican Communion. Think of it like a global family gathering for churches that are part of the Anglican faith. The Archbishop of Canterbury invites them to meet about every ten years. The very first meeting happened in a place called Lambeth in 1867.

The Anglican Communion is a group of churches around the world that are connected but also run themselves. So, the Lambeth Conferences are not about making strict laws. Instead, they are a chance for bishops to talk, share ideas, and decide what they think is best for the church on important topics. Even though the decisions made at these conferences are not legally binding, they are very important and have a lot of moral and spiritual influence. They help guide how churches in the Anglican Communion make their own rules and policies. These conferences are one of the four main ways the Anglican Communion stays connected and works together.

How the Lambeth Conference Started

The idea for these meetings first came from a bishop named John Henry Hopkins from the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont in the United States, back in 1851. He wrote a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury suggesting it. The idea grew stronger when bishops from Canada asked for a meeting in 1865. They were worried because some legal decisions were causing confusion in their church. They also didn't want their church rules to become too different from those in England and Ireland.

So, they asked the Archbishop of Canterbury, Charles Thomas Longley, to call a big meeting of Anglican bishops from all over the world. After talking with other church leaders, Archbishop Longley agreed. He invited all 144 Anglican bishops at the time to meet at Lambeth in 1867.

Not everyone thought it was a good idea. Some bishops, like the Archbishop of York, didn't attend. Even Dean Stanley, a church leader, didn't want Westminster Abbey to be used for the closing service. He felt the meeting was only for some bishops and wasn't sure what its decisions would mean.

However, Archbishop Longley explained that the meeting wasn't meant to make new laws for all churches. Instead, it was a place to "discuss matters of practical interest" and offer "safe guides" for future actions. The decisions made at the Lambeth Conferences have never been seen as strict laws, but their importance has grown with each meeting.

What Happens at the Conference

Seventy-six bishops came to the first conference in 1867. It lasted four days, and the discussions were private. The archbishop gave an opening speech, and then they talked about different issues. They formed groups to study specific questions, made decisions, and wrote a letter to all Anglican church members.

Since the second conference, the bishops usually start by meeting at Canterbury Cathedral. The archbishop speaks to them from a special chair, the chair of St Augustine. Then, they move to Lambeth Palace for their main discussions. They meet for five days to talk about set topics and form committees. After a break, they meet again for another five days to hear reports, make decisions, and send out their letter.

Since 1978, the conference has been held at the University of Kent campus in Canterbury. This allows the bishops to live and worship together in one place, which helps them connect better. In 1978, the bishops' spouses stayed at a different school nearby, but this wasn't ideal. So, since 1988, the spouses have also stayed at the university, making it a more unified experience for everyone.

Images for kids

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  A cartoon from Punch about the first Lambeth Conference.

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  Lambeth Palace, where many conferences have been held.

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  The logo for the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

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  An icon of the Melanesian Martyrs at Canterbury Cathedral.