More than a third of the worldwide leaders of the Anglican Church failed to attend last week’s primates’ meeting in Dublin.
The senior bishops or archbishops of all 38 provinces were invited to the six-day meeting at the Emmaus Retreat Centre in Swords, but only 24 turned up.
The Archbishopp of Canterbury has acknowledged that there remains a “critical situation” in the Anglican Communion. He was speaking at a press conference at the close of the Primates’ Meeting in Dublin.
Of the 38 primates who could and should be in attendance at a legitimate Primates’ Meeting, we understand some 15 are absent. The GAFCON primates AND Presiding Bishop Mouneer Anis and Archbishop John Chew are among those with more important things to do than attend a meeting and be manipulated by procedural rules that Dr. Williams will dominate. More important, because Rowan Williams structures the meeting to control the primates and disempower them from taking any action that he doesn’t wish, and when their photographs are taken together, the Anglican Communion Office (ACO) uses that photo to announce that all is well in Rowanland.
Many of the primates have made their reasons for being absent very clear in public and private correspondence to Dr. Williams, who is the convener. However, the Anglican Communion Office, headed by Canon Kenneth Kearon, has concocted reasons for some of them that are simply disingenuous. Most of the primates have made it clear to Dr. Williams why they are absent and why they are frustrated and disappointed in his leadership. With this fact in mind, there is a question that begs to be asked; “Is Dr. Williams competent to lead the Communion?” You would be surprised if you polled liberal revisionists and orthodox conservatives to find that many on both sides would answer NO. It is time to acknowledge before the world that the emperor has no clothes, and the Archbishop of Canterbury has no competency to lead the Communion.
From here (requires subscription) in an earlier [24 January] London Times story:
Speaking to The Times, Archbishop Gregory Venables, who retired in November as archbishop of the Southern Cone, but is chairman of the Primates’ Council for the GAFCON conservative group, said: “There are two main reasons a significant number are not going. “There has been no real consultative preparation. In the past, we have been given a paper five minutes before a meeting and told to discuss it. The other reason is that there has been no responsible carrying out of what was decided in the past.”
He said that the meetings, which are closed to the press, did not lend themselves to open debate, adding: “You go to these meetings and there is a kind of gagging gas in the atmosphere. It is almost like trench warfare. The gagging gas comes down, and it is as if people are unable to speak.”
This is significant in that it accords with what Bishop Mouneer Anis said; note that neither agrees with what Kenneth Kearon says about their reasons for conscientious non-participation–KSH.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams said that the outcomes of the Primates’ Meeting in Ireland had met his “chief hopes” for the week.
Speaking at a press conference Dr Williams explained that when inviting the Primates to the meeting he had indicated what things might be considered there. These included decisions about an effective Primates’ Standing Committee, reflections on primacy itself, and expectations of the Primates’ Meeting.
“My chief hope was to emerge with greater clarity and agreement about what we expect of the Primates corporately and how best we can realise our expectations,” he said.
Evident Preoccupation with Issues of Anglican Crisis: The four current emphases of IASCUFO indicate that issues arising from the Anglican crisis are dominating the group’s attention. The definition of church and the related question whether the communion is a church or a communion of churches constitute an issue that is, yes, fundamental but also a bit elementary for a group purporting to be advancing the theology of the communion as a whole. The reason is probably a pervasive of sense of crisis and disintegration. The second topic of the Anglican Covenant is obviously crisis-related, as is the third on the Instruments of Communion and their inter-relations. The first half of the fourth topic, the reception of the work of the instruments and of the ecumenical dialogues, is also crisis-related, with only the second half indicating a nod to the complex and diverse ecumenical dialogues. Ecumenism is likely to get short shrift, most unfortunate in light of Anglicans’ historic role in catalyzing ecumenical relationship and work. Theology and doctrine are likely to be marginalized altogether as managing and responding to the crisis take center stage. The Anglican crisis is full-blown, I have criticized efforts to minimize it, and it deserves the kind of attention it has been receiving. It is simply unfortunate that this conflation of commissions appears to suck all other theological and ecumenical air out of the room. The health of the communion depends partly on other kinds of work moving forward and receiving support ”“ and it may well be that this unfortunate conflation has occurred mainly for financial reasons.
From the ACNS preamble:
At todays press conference the panel comprised of the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, The Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi, Archbishop of the Province of Burundi & Bishop of Matana, The Most Revd Dr John Walder Dunlop Holder, Archbishop, Church in the Province of the West Indies & Bishop of Barbados and The Most Revd David Robert Chillingworth, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church & Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane. They were welcomed by The Most Revd Alan Edwin Thomas Harper, Primate of All Ireland & Archbishop of Armagh
Dr Rowan Williams said the outcomes of the Primates Meeting had met his “Chief hopes” for the week. He explained that among other letters and statements agreed by the Primates there were two outlining the scope and purpose of the Primates Meeting and its Standing Committee. His address was followed by a question and answer session with members of the media.
On the final day of the Primates’ Meeting in Dublin, Primates discussed the content of final documents that had been prepared over the week. They began with reviewing the first draft of a working document on the proposed purpose and scope of the Primates’ Meeting. They then reviewed other documents””letters and statements””covering a range of international issues.
Read it all and please note that this includes a link to six different pdf’s all of which need to be considered.
Last night there were five photographs linked here under this title:
Some Images From The 18th Primates’
Meeting Of The Anglican Communion,
Emmaus Retreat And Conference Centre,
Swords, Co Dublin.
But today they are no longer there–what happened?
Please note that what follows is a tentative attempt to identify those in the photograph:
Back Row:
1. Burundi
The Most Revd Bernard Ntahoturi
Archbishop of the Province of Burundi & Bishop of Matana
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=2225
2. Scotland
The Most Revd David Robert Chillingworth
Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church & Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=17080
3. Korea
The Rt Revd Paul Keun-Sang Kim
Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church of Korea & Bishop of Seoul
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=18488
4. Canada
The Most Revd Frederick J Hiltz
Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=411
5. Melanesia
The Most Revd David Vunagi
Archbishop of Melanesia and bishop of Central Melanesia
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=14140
6. Central America
The Most Revd Armando Roman Guerra Soria
Primate of IARCA & Bishop of Guatemala
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=615
7. Philippines
The Rt Revd Edward Pacyaya Malecdan
Prime Bishop elect of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=6853
8. Japan
The Most Revd Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu
Primate of The Nippon Sei Ko Kai & Bishop of Hokkaido
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=3400
9. Papua New Guinea
The Most Revd Joseph Kifau Kopapa
Archbishop of Papua New Guinea & Bishop of Popondota
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=17514
10. Wales
The Most Revd Dr. Barry Cennydd Morgan
Archbishop of Wales & Bishop of Llandaff
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=727
11. South India
The Most Revd Suputhrappa Vasantha Kumar
Moderator of the Church of South India and Bishop of Karnataka Central
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=5205
12. The Episcopal Church
The Most Revd Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church in the USA
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=8656
13. Hong Kong
The Most Revd Paul Kwong
Archbishop of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui & Bishop of Hong Kong Island
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=5481
14. Australia
The Most Revd Phillip John Aspinall
Archbishop of Brisbane & Primate of Australia
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=6969
15. New Zealand
The Most Revd Dr. Winston Halapua
Primate of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand & Polynesia & Bishop of Polynesia
16. West Indies
The Most Revd Dr John Walder Dunlop Holder
Archbishop, Church in the Province of the West Indies & Bishop of Barbados
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=9265
17. Pakistan
The Rt Revd Samuel Azariah
Moderator, Church of Pakistan & Bishop of Raiwind
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=815
Front row
1. Southern Africa
The Most Revd Thabo Cecil Makgoba
Archbishop of Capetown
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=15440
2. Brazil
The Most Revd MaurÃcio José Araújo de Andrade
Primate of Brazil & Bishop of Brasilia
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=4996
3. Ireland
The Most Revd Alan Edwin Thomas Harper
Primate of All Ireland & Archbishop of Armagh
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=15488
4. England
The Most Revd Rowan Douglas Williams
Archbishop of Canterbury
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=828
5. Canon Kenneth Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/1492
6. England
The Most Reverend John Sentamu
Archbishop of York
http://www.archbishopofyork.org/780
7. Central Africa
The Rt Rev Albert Chama
The Dean of the Province
8. Bangladesh
The Rt Revd Paul Sishir Sarkar
Moderator, Church of Bangladesh & Bishop of Kushtia
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/communion/primates/biog/details.cfm?ID=16165
We shall be grateful for any amendments and corrections–KSH.
Today’s meeting moved from the work of reflecting on the exercise of primacy and the purpose and nature of the Primates’ Meeting, to considering the role, purpose and composition of the Standing Committee of the Primates. In addition to attending the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) and the Standing Committee, other roles suggested for the committee by Primates included “holding” the life, vision and spirit of the meeting between the Primates’ Meetings; helping to shape their future meetings; and acting as a consultative group for the Archbishop of Canterbury. Several groups also suggested that the Primates’ Standing Committee might have an ongoing bridging role between the Primate’s Meeting and the regions from where the Primates come….
Daily briefings are being released by the Anglican Communion Office, and while these have listed a number of the issues being discussed, such as what it means to be a primate in different regions of the Communion, they have not mentioned the big questions such as what the implications of the boycott might be for the future of the Anglican Communion; or what relationship these Primates can expect with their non-attending peers.
Paul Feheley, working with the Anglican Communion Office, said that the press was not being “gagged”; but there was a desire to keep the media away “to allow the Primates the space they need” to be able to have conversations “in a way that’s free”.
Of course, the absence of most of the conservatives means that there is no occasion for the briefing and counter-briefing that has been seen at earlier encounters of the Primates.
All, then, awaits the final communiqué, planned for Sunday afternoon, which is expected to deliver the conclusions of the Primates who are present. In the mean time, I count 22 Primates in a circle, deep in discussion ”” visible only from afar.
More than one third of the provinces of the Anglican ComÂmunion are not represented at the Primates’ Meeting in Dublin, it was confirmed on Wednesday, as the summit got under way.
An official list showed that 22 of the possible 38 Primates arrived in Dublin; 15 were absent. In addition, the Province of Central Africa, where there is currently a vacancy, is being represented by its Dean; and the Archbishop of York is also attending, to allow the Archbishop of CanÂterbury to preside at the meeting.
Jeff Walton, spokesman for IRD’s Anglican Action Program, commented:
“Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has been embarrassed by so many Anglican leaders shunning yet another pre-fabricated ”˜conversation’ with the Episcopal Church.
“After snubbing repeated requests from Anglican leaders not to bless same-sex unions or consecrate openly partnered homosexual bishops, Episcopal Church leaders have effectively cut themselves off from the majority of Anglicans worldwide….”
While the commitment to the Communion remains strong, there is less of a tie to the current Archbishop of Canterbury, the Church of England Newspaper has learned.
The tenor of conversation among the boycotting Primates centres round the realisation that Dr Williams is unable, and apparently unwilling, to resolve the Anglican crisis. Dr Williams’ successes in persuading conservatives to go along, will not be repeated this time due to their absence. The “rump” meeting in Dublin 2011 has already been dismissed as illegitimate by some of the boycotting Primates, who represent 40 of the Communion’s 55 million active Anglicans.
Past undertakings given at the 2005, 2007 and 2009 Primates’ Meeting have not been fulfilled one Primate noted. It was not just around issues of human sexuality that action did not follow upon words, but in resolutions ranging from the appointment of an envoy to Zimbabwe to promises to mediate the Brazilian split.
On Day three of the meeting, Primates of the Anglican Communion began to more closely consider ”˜primacy’. In small groups they discussed their understanding and experience of the theology and practice of primacy in their Provinces, at the Regional level and at the Communion level. The purpose of the morning was to share in plenary the differences and similarities of primacy in the Provinces of the Communion.
Conservative primates say they are disillusioned by a lack of disciplinary action against the U.S. church, despite recommendations made at previous primates’ meetings, and add that there had been a lack of consultation before the meeting.
The Anglican Communion said primates refusing to attend included those of the Indian Ocean, Jerusalem and the Middle East, Nigeria, South East Asia, the Southern Cone of Latin America, Uganda, and West Africa.
Last June, [Katharine Jefferts] Schori said that plans to discipline her church violated Anglican traditions, moving toward a centralized authority.
A little candor by those in attendance would be nice: there is a problem, and it is a major problem. Are the Primates who have gathered in Dublin facing it, or are they still pretending that everybody has “moved beyond” the resolute disrespect of TEC and The Anglican Church of Canada towards their previous commitments and the commitments of the Communion at large?
Before the Primates attended Night Prayers, Archbishop Rowan gave a short reflection on primatial leadership using the text of Mark 10:35-45.
At the start of Wednesday morning Eucharist, Primates placed, at the foot of the altar, symbols (including photos, food, pictures and other objects) that represented the major missional challenges of their Province. This was so that these local issues are front of mind at any act of worship throughout the week.
Anglican leaders from around the world began their weeklong meeting on Tuesday in the Irish capital of Dublin.
Not in attendance are about a third of the 39 primates ”“ senior bishops or archbishops ”“ many of whom are choosing to stay away because they feel it would be a waste of time.
Just days before the Primates Meeting, Archbishop Mouneer Hanna Anis of the Middle East said he believes the global gatherings are “manipulated” and “orchestrated.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s authority is inevitably also diminished by these events, especially when his invitation to fellow Anglican primates to gather to take counsel is one which, because of who is invited, a significant number of Primates cannot in conscience accept. It is clear that, barring a miracle, there cannot again be a Primates’ Meeting in which the Archbishop of Canterbury gathers all Anglican primates from across the Communion: either the Presiding Bishop of TEC is not invited as a primate in full and equal standing or a significant number of Primates will not attend. Although some of those associated with GAFCON have spoken openly of a non-Canterbury communion, this is, thankfully, something which few are actively seeking. It is, nevertheless, increasingly obvious that this will be the next pressure point on the trajectory which has been travelled since 2003 and increasingly rapidly since 2007-8. There needs, therefore, to be a recognition that if the Instruments are unable to make themselves “fit for purpose” and the see of Canterbury continues to prove unable or unwilling to act in ways that secure the unity in truth of the Anglican Communion then God in his providence may raise up one or more other Anglican metropolitans who are able to fulfil at least some of Canterbury’s traditional responsibilities in relation to the majority of the Communion.
It is a biblical principle that we reap what we sow. The actions of North American provinces since 2003, the actions in response from other provinces and the actions (and subsequent inaction) of Primates’ Meetings have reaped quite a whirlwind. Whatever happens in Ireland there will be further consequences as a result and for some Anglicans those consequences will be painful ”“ there are no painless ways forward from our current situation. The danger is that actions this week will produce consequences that simply harden rather than constructively address the impasse over sexuality, further erode the Instruments’ authority and alienate the majority of the world’s Anglicans. Such consequences would also undermine the covenant as the best long-term means of providing commitments and agreed structures to prevent the repetition of the last eight years and place the Communion on a firmer footing.
(TEC Office of Public Affairs)
I look forward to greeting many old friends at the Primates Meeting in Dublin, and I look forward to meeting those who have been elected in the past two years. I am deeply grateful that we may begin to focus on issues that are highly significant in local contexts as well as across the breadth of the Anglican Communion. Certainly issues of serving our brothers and sisters, offering good news for body, mind, and spirit, are the central ones in our province. The Episcopal Church is urgently focused on rebuilding in Haiti, seeking increased ways to bring good news to the poor in indigenous communities, inner cities, and expanding and depopulating rural areas in all the nations in our province. Across the globe, in partnership with Anglicans and others, we seek to serve the least of these, bringing light in the midst of darkness, peace in the midst of war and violence, and hope in the face of devastating natural disasters and the growing reality of climate change. We own our domestic responsibility to change our habits and ways of life that contribute to environmental damage and destruction. In all we do, we seek to recognize the face of God wherever we turn, realizing that the body of God’s creation will only be healed when all members of the body of Christ are working together.
–(The Most Rev.) Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop and Primate The Episcopal Church
The segment description is as follows:
ANGLICAN SUMMIT – Canon Ken Kearon, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion interview
It starts at about 2:40 in and runs just under 6 minutes. Please take the time to listen to it all (and note it is only available for 5 more days [note,too, you may get it as well via podcast]).
A meeting of Anglican leaders in Dublin is expected to be boycotted by up to a third of those invited.
Their protest is at the inclusion of the head of the American Episcopal Church. Her church has ordained gay bishops and blesses same sex couples.
Some traditionalist archbishops want sanctions to be imposed against the American branch of the Communion.