Some have suggested that the choice is between polar extremes: either we submit to an authoritarian international hierarchy, or we describe ourselves as some kind of autonomous American “denomination” affiliated on an ad hoc basis with some of the other churches around the world sharing similar historical backgrounds.
My view is that the covenant offers a third possibility–one more authentically aligned with our identity as a church that has from its beginning understood itself as simultaneously independent and interdependent – independent in terms of polity and governance, to be sure, but profoundly interdependent in character and spiritual identity.
The covenant is at its heart about recovering and renewing within our Anglican family of churches the spirit of Christian life reflected in Paul’s word, “the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you'” (I Corinthians 12:21). The covenant says that it is from within the Anglican Communion that we of the Episcopal Church will continue the long process of learning what it means to be one in Christ Jesus.
A rather brazen arguement.
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you” is an oft used arguement for the Church to accept any and all philosophies, but every time I hear it my mind goes to Jesus words:
Mat 18:6 ¶ But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Mat 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Mat 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast [them] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Mat 18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
^^^^^^^^^^
The choices are ultimate and severe – real life – real eternity.
Don
Bruce writes “But there is a hope, a deep hope, that this wider family and community will see in us not a force for further division, but for healing and reconciliation”.
If true reconciliation and healing are what is sincerely desired then the first step might be to drop the lawsuit his diocese has initiated against the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (ACNA)
Covenant? What covenant? The cronies of the TEClub have thrust a knife into the chest of the covenant and it has been rushed to the OR. Unfortunately, four of the five surgeons are also TEClub cronies. It ain’t gonna pull through, guys.
So the covenant is dead. What now insiders?
#2, David, just a point of clarification. The EDoP (TEC) has not “initiated” a lawsuit againt the EDoP (ACNA/SC). Calvary Church has asked the Court of Common Pleas to determine whether the actions surrounding realignment in October, 2008, and subsequently, violate the terms agreed to in the settlement of Calvary Church v. Diocese. The EDoP (TEC) and TEC itself asked to be added to the petition for review, and this request was granted.
There are clearly two different understandings of the impact of realignment on the previous agreement, and Judge James is in the process now of reviewing the record and being briefed by all interested parties. Perhaps we’ll see something from him later summer or fall. And I’m sure that however he rules, the party whose position is not agreed to will then decide whether to appeal to the Superior Court. My guess is that both sets of attorneys are in fact already drafting their appeals.
For the record, I’m in favor of a negotiated agreement between the TEC diocese and the ACNA/SC diocese. However, I don’t believe such negotiations can take place while both dioceses maintain that they and they alone are the legally continuous entity from the pre-October diocese. Neither diocese seems able to step back from that assertion.
My hope is that we’ll be able to come through this in a way that will be astonishing for its witness to the power of Christian charity. “These Christians, how they love one another.” Whether we [b]can[/b] get there from here is something I just don’t know.
In friendship,
Bruce Robison
Thanks for the email Bruce. EDP-TEC did not have to enter in on the Calvary lawsuit. It was a deliberate choice by the Standing Cmte principally by the President, I am sure. I too wish for a negociated settlement as do virtually every one on this side of the divide.
Please know I value your and Suzy’s friendship very much
Your brother in Christ
David
Likewise David, per you and Gale. And I agree that the TEC diocese did not need to enter the lawsuit. I put in my $ .02 when I had the opportunity, but sometimes things don’t go the way I want them to go.
However, the lawsuit would have existed with Calvary Church and TEC-National in the game anyway, and so the de facto situation would be the same. I was just wanting to clarify that no new suit has been “initiated.”
In any case, I still also hold out hope for negotiation. And reconciliation, reformation, renewal.
Blessings,
Bruce Robison