It is important that this is not simply a matter of disagreement about biblical interpretation and sexual ethics although these are central and important. It is now very clearly also a fundamental matter of truth-telling and trust. In September 2007, at the Primates’ request and after meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury, TEC bishops confirmed they would “exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion”. They made clear that “non-celibate gay and lesbian persons” were among such candidates.
When asked recently how they could therefore now proceed to confirm Mary Glasspool in the light of that assurance, one TEC bishop said this simply expressed where the bishops were in 2007 and they may be somewhere different now. At least where they are now is crystal clear. Both moratoria have been rejected. In addition, TEC is pursuing legal actions, with widespread concern its leadership intends aggressive action against the diocese of South Carolina which upholds the Communion’s teaching….
….the situation is now such that it may be better for the Archbishop simply to state ”“ as one of the Instruments and a focus and means of unity – that TEC as a body has rejected the Communion’s repeated appeals for restraint, made false promises, and confirmed its direction is away from Communion teaching and accountability. It has thereby rendered itself incapable of covenanting with other churches and made it unclear what it means when it claims to be in communion with the see of Canterbury and a constituent member of the Anglican Communion.
Although decisive action is necessary, Archbishop Rowan’s limited powers within the Communion and his laudable desire to keep on going the extra mile to enable dialogue mean many think it unlikely. Some long ago gave up on him. Many, however, both within the Church of England and the wider Communion (particularly in the Global South which meets next month) have been patient and sought to work with him by supporting the Windsor and covenant processes. They need now to make clear that unless he gives a clear lead then all that he and others have worked for since the Windsor Report and all that is promised by the covenant is at risk because of the new situation in which TEC has placed us.
“Biblical interpretation” ?????
No. I don’t think that is the right word. Back in 2003, when this whole smelly thing started, I went to the National Episcopal website. On the front page, there was a statement that read, ” Who do we say Jesus is?”–then you hit the link. The link took you to the next page, where TEC had a list of all the things that THEY said Jesus was. None of the items even closely mentioned, “Son of God”, or “Son of Man”. Nothing.
Misinterpretation is not the word. Abandon is the word.
Not long after this, I started cruising news items concerning TEC to see if there was more evidence of their abandonment. Sure enough, not long after we discovered that two episcopal priests, who were married ( man and woman ) were practicing wiccans. Yes, you read it right. To make it worse, their bishop knew this and allowed them to continue their priesthood in TEC. What a joke.
Then the whole thing with labrynths and all. Not to mention the famous bishop swing and the new world order he is working on with the UN.
Bottom line: There is no room for this being a misunderstanding, or difference of interpretation. This is plain and simple apostasy. False prophets and all. Flee from the evil.
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“that unless he gives a clear lead then all that he and others have worked for since the Windsor Report and all that is promised by the covenant is at risk…” — Exactly. And inaction here and now by Archbishop Williams would be the betrayal that will kill the Communion. Let us pray for him to step up and be the man.
I appreciate the generous tone of this otherwise firm and direct statement. Some might ask for a more heated tone, but the evenness of voice here communicates that this is not a request made out of emotion but out of a disciplined patience that has sought the highest ideals. Further the evenness lays out the risks clearly for all to see. Well said.
Primates in particular might do well to heed the advice of Prov. 21:9 – It is better to live in a corner of a roof / Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. (NASB)
The Archbishop of Canterbury act? To oppose the EcUSA/TEc? To preserve his Grace’s body the anglican communion? Now? Today? So hastily? In such a rush?
Well, now, were it to happen, and do note I said were it to happen, why then one could discover that the cancer had spread due to failure to act surgically in the pre-metastatic state of the disease. But, now, well … hospice ought be notified. Perhaps the end can be hastened a bit? It is England, you know.
The ABC makes the Ents of Middle Earth seem rash and hotheaded. What TEC was going to do has been clear since 2003. TEC repeatedly lied and the ABC repeatedly went along with those lies. The ABC will continue to do nothing and the AC will continue to do nothing.