The Covenant
We had come to Jamaica ready to move forward on the Covenant. The deliberations and decisions of the Council make clear that the ACC wants a covenant. Our disappointment was that we could not get it now. The decision to modify the timetable was by a very slender margin of only three votes. And many people took the middle road position in order to give time to improve the Covenant.
Interventions
Cross-provincial interventions are a serious matter. The Archbishop of Canterbury has given his assurance that the role of the Pastoral Visitors would take care of the need for a listening process for faithful Anglicans alienated from their churches and in a significant number of cases deposed from their orders in North America. Some of us who had previously had significant doubts about the wisdom of these interventions have become aware from those whose provinces have taken this bold step that these interventions were both necessary and justified, and others that they were understandable, as an answer to a distress call. We therefore urge the Archbishop to dispatch Pastoral Visitors immediately who will incorporate into their work a listening process because of the urgency of the situation.
“Dispatch”,, since when.. Isn’t it a fact that KJS is the ‘dispatcher” ?
At least she was last time……..
Grandmother in SC
I was initially quite excited to see this statement until I read the list of signatories. I think that all but one was from a Province that has “intervened” in North America. But on the other hand, my understanding was that the “Global South” website is operated more by the John Chew/Mouneer Anis/ACI “moderate” conservatives from the Global South, as opposed to the GAFCON group. Yet, all but one of the signatories is from a GAFCON Province. Can anyone provide some more information about this? Is there something more to this then meets the eye?
Grandmother, please read the statement carefully. The Global South are holding the Archbishop accountability saying “he has given his assurance.” Further, whilst the Archbishop is preaching peace, the Global South are urging him to act “immediately” in light of the “distress call” coming from the orthodox in the US and Canada.
There are no direct threats, but it is a clear statement to the Archbishop that they disagree with his assessment of the ACC, that they are quite disturbed by the meeting, and that they are holding him responsible to see that protective action is taken now.
We in the West must remember that the Global South generally sees the West as the minority. They are responding to a grave crisis, but are doing so with confidence that their Communion will endure–with or without Canterbury and TEC. Conservatively, with more than 35 or 40 million Anglicans in their provinces, TEC’s 3 million or less is not a schism but simply a dent in the whole. If in fact, they represent 50 or 60 million Anglicans… They do not need Canterbury. If he wants to stay in communion with them, he will respond to their concerns.
We came, we saw, we were not conquered.
We are watching.
Ball in your court, ABC.
LCF+ I was not criticising the Archbishops. But, they do sometimes have short memories, and/or were not there the last time the ABC dispatched “pastoral visitors”.. He did no such thing himself, but let KJS choose them, none of which were of any help, nor were even called out (at least I didn’t hear of it).. Why should this time be any different. And remember the single situation the “panel of reference” even bothered with.
He has shown himself totally incapable of dealing with this for whatever reason. There is no joy in Mudville…………………
Grandmother in SC
jamesw: I think you can still be quite excited.
The first two names represent the provinces of Abp Anis and Abp Chew! Note that their names come first before the others. Anis and Chew are throwing more of their weight behind the others-if the powers that be think that they can play Anis-Chew-Gomez against Akinola-Orombi-Venebles, then this short statement should make them stop and think. The ACC meeting appears to have strengthened the unity among the orthodox, and between the not-GAFCON and the GAFCON groups. The Global South is growing in strength–TEC remains scared.
Pastoral visitors and the covenant will make little or no difference in closing the breach between conservative and liberal provinces. At the heart of the matter are two radically different theologies and practices of faith which in fact promote opposing religious world views. Visitors can listen all the want and this will not change. Even if someday, somehow the covenant is ratified, it will remain a document of words, which will then be interpreted to mean whatever is desired. We do not agree on the plain meaning of Holy Scripture, why will agree on the often ambivalent meaning of the the text of the covenant. As an alternative, I propose the conciliar model active throughout the history of the church. What is needed is a central authority comprised of bishops, or archbishops, who are called to guard the faith and adjudicate on said matters of doctrine and practice. Naturally, TEC and GAFCON cannot continue to coexist in the context of such a reformation of authority and discipline. They must go there separate ways. This, of course, is inevitable anyway, given their respective commitments to the issues involved.
How long? How much longer, until we all face the reality of this division with honesty?
Don’t hold your breath waiting for your Pastoral Visitor to arrive.
We neither need nor want “pastoral visitors!”
For me, and I’m sure millions of others, nothing but an absolute condemnation and repudiation of everything the Presiding Bishop and her minions have done will be good enough. Couple that with a complete [b]break with them[/b], and with Canterbury if necessary, and Anglicanism will survive. Nothing else will suffice.
This statement is NOT about pastoral visitors: it is about the “urgency of the situation.” The memo supports cross-border interventions as “necessary and justified.” Further, it reaffirms “faithful Anglicans alienated from their churches and in a significant number of cases deposed from their orders in North America.” The Global South is calling the Archbishop’s bluff.
What is the memo so soft and safe? My read is that the Global South have decided that it is foolishness to argue with those who waffle. Rather than arguing, they will invest their energy in building momentum for renewed Orthodox Anglicanism, momentum for missions and evangelism, and momentum for building up the Church. The best defense here is a strong offense: Nigeria alone is 17 million and growing–TEC is less than 3, and shrinking. Why fight with TEC when TEC is nothing more than a mosquito–granted one that carries a deadly disease–but still just a mosquito?
For the Orthodox in the US and Canada, our calling is to press ahead with the Gospel, build the Church, share the Gospel with those in need, and nurture relationships with our brothers and sisters around the world. In time, the crown will pass from Saul to David.