Anglicans United Cherie Wetzel's latest report from New Orleans (#5)

Cherie Wetzel has a wonderfully detailed report out this evening (her 5th dispatch) which contains quite a lot of detail about ++Rowan’s interaction with the HoB. We received it by e-mail. Eventually it will be online at Anglicans United. But since it’s not yet online, we post it here in full. I found the section about Abp. Aspinall particularly surprising.

HOB Report #5 Late Friday Afternoon, September 21, 2007

Good Evening. The meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury has ended. The Press was given good access to all the major players and the House of Bishops has moved on to the next segment of their agenda: the Millennium Development Goals (MGD’s). They are in session right now discussing diocesan participation in the MGD’s and how the money will be applied.

From all reports, this morning’s session was a surprisingly candid exchange of information between the members of the House, the Archbishop and the invited guests from the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) and the Primate’s Council. The Rt. Rev. Dr. Phillip Aspinall, Archbishop of Brisbane Australia, spoke to the House, telling them that they must reassure the Communion that they will live into the resolutions passed at General Convention last year. He asked what the rest of the Communion was to think when they vote to refrain from authorizing same sex blessings and 14 bishops quietly (but publicly) authorize rites to be used in their diocese and give permission to their clergy to perform same sex marriages as a pastoral care issue. Aspinall asked, “What good is your vote? How do we trust you?”

The same point applies to B-033 when both Houses (Deputies and Bishops) voted, “to 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.” Within 2 hours, 20 bishops said they would not comply with this vote and subsequently, 9 dioceses repudiated B-033 at their annual conventions.

With the inclusion of the known lesbian, Very Rev. Tracey Lind in the bishop’s race in Chicago, Dr. Aspinall’s question to the House is valid. And necessary.

I was told that the Archbishop became irritated when several bishops continued to complain about the African bishop’s border crossings, saying that they had violated the Windsor Report and were not chastised. They felt the criticism they received on the gay issue was unfair when other provinces were also in violation of the Report.

In his prepared statement for the Press, the Archbishop stated, “It has been a valuable opportunity to listen carefully to the thinking of the bishops here on the problems that face the Communion ”¦.I think that in the light of the conversations we have come to a better understanding of the House in response to the questions and proposals f the Dar es Salaam Primates’ Meeting. Hope that the House, equally, has understood more fully that those questions and proposals were meant to achieve. The House will continue to reflect on them over the weekend.”

One of the ACC members opined that the US Church, post Revolutionary War, when they applied to join the Communion, agreed to alter the words of the Nicene Creed to conform to norms and standards of the Communion. This prompted the question, “You sought and took our counsel before. Why are you
refusing to take our council now?”

Another ACC representative from Central Africa questioned why TEC went ahead with the confirmation of and consecration of Gene Robinson as bishop, New Hampshire, without consulting with the rest of the Communion. She said, “I had to live with what you did in America in my home town in Uganda. It was very difficult for me. If we are a Communion, we will act with regard to how our actions affect the others, not in spite of how our actions will affect others.” (These two
people requested they be quoted anonymously.)

I understand that the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson addressed the Archbishop directly. I do not wish to misquote him and will attempt to get a statement from him today or tomorrow.

And so, the House will have a workday tomorrow. Most are assigned either to house demolition, or medical care or reconstruction from 9:30 to 2:30. Since that tropical storm has just been given a name and is expected to land here tomorrow, those plans may be changed. Many bishops and their wives are assigned to pastoral duty on Sunday. The Rt. Rev. James Adams, Western Kansas, will be at the Free Church of the Annunciation on Sunday for Confirmation, and baptism. (This church is out of their neighborhood and building and are using this name for now. They are an Episcopal parish.) Bishop Charles Jenkins was at Annunciation 2 months ago, but another group of people is ready to be confirmed, so Bp. Adams will don the cope and mitre and confirm, celebrate, preach and baptize. Busman’s Holiday!

I am going to end this piece with remarks Bishop Adams made to me after the meeting. Archbishop Aspinall was at his table and after the discussion yesterday, was encouraged to speak clearly to the whole house so ALL would understand why the Communiqué asked the questions they did.

Bishop Adams said, “If they don’t get it now, they weren’t paying attention. No one could have made it clearer. Our discussion yesterday included the term ”˜catholicity’ and the definition of that includes full inclusion. So the question remains if those who disagree with the rest of the House will be extended full
inclusion or merely tolerated ”“ or less than tolerated. Will there be a place in The Episcopal Church for me?”

I assured Bp. Adams, who is one of the really good, Godly men in this House, that all of you want to know the answer to that question, too. Will there be a place for those who disagree with the majority in this Church? Can the bishops and clergy dial back on the rhetoric and be truly ”˜inclusive?’ Or will they continue to drive the Biblically orthodox out the doors? This is the test of their integrity (and I don’t mean the gay lobby group.)

The House will be back in session on Monday and these issues will get full attention. The joint meeting of the Primate’s Council and the Anglican Consultative Council representatives, to discuss what they heard in their conversations at this meeting, will continue through the weekend.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is on his way to Armenia, and there was a passing reference to communicating with him on Tuesday, when the House releases their statement. The Archbishop did not know today if the Primates would meet and evaluate what our House produces next week. His statement, “They haven’t produced anything yet, so I can’t say.” With Lambeth only 9 months away, and so much riding on the invitation process, a decision on that issue will have to be made within the next 3 months.

We have waited many years for the meeting that just took place. We have prayed many hours for God to rescue and resurrect this Church, starting with ourselves, one person at a time. We have stayed so that we can continue to speak for the Lord Jesus Christ who is the same today as He was 2000 years ago. He is not “a way” but “The Way to the Father.” And that is not putting God into a little box; it is allowing God to BE GOD.

We must be prepared to stand on what we Know, Know, Know a while longer. Answers will come and the resolution of this situation is very near. Do not be overcome by fear, or doubt; they are not from God. Remember to pray. That is our weapon of choice. And be of good courage, because He has overcome the world and will overcome these present troubles, too.

More interviews and reports tomorrow from this meeting as they are available. I bid you peace and a great weekend.
Cherie Wetzel reporting from New Orleans