These were the questions asked of Canon Kenneth Kearon by Executive Council. More later on his responses.
There is a covenant being considered that has in it certain processes, some of which have caused great concern for some of the provinces on how fairly they would be applied. For example, the Province of New Zealand gave only partial approval to the covenant, with members of its General Synod noting that Section 4 could “get into a situation where we sanctify a process of exclusion or marginalization” and that it might be implemented in ways that are “punitive, controlling and completely unAnglican.” Do the recent actions of the Archbishop of Canterburygive credence to these concerns? [Canon Rosalie Balletine, Esq., Chair of the World Mission Legislative Committee, Diocese of the Virgin Islands]
There are always consequences to living authentically as Christians. Within relationships among Christians, however, we ought to have opportunity to question those consequences, lest all end up walking on eggshells. Is there such a process now? And, do you foresee a season of such sanctions or is the removal of ecumenical committee appointees from The Episcopal Church an isolated event? [President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson, Diocese of Michigan]
As I said in my comment below, I hope Kearon also poses questions. 1. How can Ian Douglas switch from presbyter to bishop rep without stepping down from one and being elected to the other? and if so, his seat on the Standing Committee doesn’t just come along as a sidecar?
2. Does +CT continue to approve SSBs? thus breaking the moratoria (so the ruling of the ACC re: Phil Ashey)
3. Do you understand the logic of what has been done by the ABC? this being different than, do you not like it, want to have your own communion, etc?
Questions now over. Kearon certainly got grilled and the tempers were short in the room. He did not waver from the public presentation thus far. It sounds like he agreed to show up and interrupted his vacation time to do so. So it was not a meeting he asked for and so was the ‘visitor’ in a awkward/angry setting. The PB wanted the Q/A over even sooner but others requested more time. The Q/A is posted now on various links.
PS. I must say, this certainly was no lovefest, or a gathering of old friends and allies, as some have intimated. Lots of matters remain unclarified, so far as I am concerned. But it is also apparent now that the meeting was different than I expected, at any rate. It was an effort to corner Kearon (who had asked for a different kind of meeting to begin with). The PB wanted to display ‘home court’ advantage and would have asked him to remove his miter if the occasion could have called for it. It continues to sound like she has dreamed up her own international church. BTW, has anyone run the numbers on ASA in half of the so-called sixteen international partners (the europe 6-7 are smaller in total than a large conservative parish).
[blockquote]It continues to sound like she has dreamed up her own international church.[/blockquote]
Sounding loud and clear, IMHO.
Talk about not getting it. If anything demonstrates how radically things have changed, this does.
I am reminded of the old adage of Euripides:
“[i]Those whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.[/i]”
It’s sheer madness for the short-sighted leaders of TEC to burn their bridges with the ABoC and the head of the ACO, who have been their most strategic allies in the AC.
Which in turn makes me think of poor old King Saul, who likewise suffered from a madness that one biblical text attributes to the LORD himself. To throw verbal spears at Canon Kearon like this is just insane. Talk about a liberal house divided against itself and doomed to fall.
“How are the mighty fallen!”
David Handy+
Its funny but the ABC doesn’t need a covenant to take the actions that he has taken. I supposed the Covenant could provide additional basis for his actions. TEC is getting nervous because the ABC is leveraging the only thing they care about — legitimacy. As they are being relegated to second class status and stripped of ecumenical prerogatives they are diminished. The ABC understands that TEC doesn’t care about how they have damaged Anglicanism in ecumenical relationships with global Christianity. He understands that the Pope has offered a home to disaffected Anglicans and all that implies. So, he’s hit them with the only thing they respect — legitimacy. How legitimate can you be as a Province if you can’t be taken seriously enough to go meetings and represent the Communion?
Clearly, the idea that the Anglican Communion can say you have decided to go on your own path and walk away from us is offensive to the Episcopal Church and its leadership, the Executive Counsel. Amazing, but they have gotten away with it for so long they never believed anyone would say no to them.
Of course, it is not to that point yet…but they believe it is an their reaction says more about them then about the ABC or the AC.
Why doesn’t Mrs. Schori just file lawsuits against The leaders of the AC? It will postpone the ABC’s actions and buy time to purchase more bishops in the AC? Why not now? Surely their are piles of legal grounds to cultivate legal actions…
Intercessor
[blockquote]The Q/A is posted now on various links.[/blockquote] I’ve seen the Q’s on Mark Harris’ site; can someone link to the A’s?
cseitz
It would appear that you have received some clarity re: +Duncan
The Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas, bishop of Connecticut, and the Rev. Gay
Jennings were elected to the Anglican Consultative Council.
Sorry…meant +Douglas
Regarding the question by Rev. (Canon) Lee Alison Crawford, a partnered lesbian, who has been rector of St. Mary in Northfield, VT since 1994: the parish from 2002 through 2008 experienced a decline in Members from 130 to 75, ASA from 50 to 42, and an increase in Plate & Pledge from $50K to $70K. I find it odd that she would want to attract attention. Statmann