(Via email–KSH).
The tenth Synod of the Province of the Southern Cone of America, meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 1-5 November, 2010, has elected Bishop Hector “Tito” Zavala of Chile as its next Primate replacing Bishop Gregory Venables. Bishop Zavala becomes the province’s first Primate of Chilean extraction. The role of Primate is a three year renewable term in the Cone. Bishop Venables is not retiring, but will maintain his present position as Bishop of Argentina and Northern Argentina. In another closely followed vote, the possibility of allowing women’s ordination to the priesthood in those dioceses that so affirmed to move ahead (local option) was turned down by the house of clergy; the other two houses voted in favor. The Province of the Southern Cone comprises the seven dioceses of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Northern Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.
Interesting, as I recall, the last time many of us heard anything about Bishop Zavala, it came on October 1 from Kenneth Kearon: [blockquote]Consequently, I have written to the person from the Province of the Southern Cone who is a member of the Inter Anglican Standing Commission on Unity Faith and Order (IASCUFO), Bishop Tito Zavala, withdrawing his membership and inviting him to serve as a Consultant to that body.[/blockquote]I think someone is sending Canon Kearon and ++Rowan a message. Wonder if they are “listening”?
May God bless the good Bishop, and those under his pastoral care.
So what is the finalstatus of WO in the Southern Cone, following the Synod?
Someone at the meeting suggests the election of Obispo Zavala was not a tit for tat spat with the ABC but rather the chosen person for the moment. Let’s not read too much into these things and assume that the only action in the Communion is reaction. The WO resolution failed.
francis (#3),
Your cautionary warning is wise; we in the Global North shouldn’t assume that everything is always about the Anglican civil war we are so invested in. In general, it’s notable and worth celebrating that a South American is now the primate, rather than a British ex-patriate missionary. As tiny as the province may be, this election reflects how the Southern Cone is continuing to mature and come of age.
At the same time, the timing is indeed indicative of the growing gulf between the Global South and the ACO, as noted by #1. The tear in the fabric of the AC just continues to widen and get worse and worse. Which is only to be expected when the self-deceived advocates of a false gospel refuse to repent of their intolerable errors.
Here are my questions. Is it clear yet if ++Venables is continuing on as the leader of the GAFCON/FCA Primates’ Council, or will he now be giving up that role too? And does this move of stepping down to just being a diocesan bishop in Argentian again reflect Bishop Venables’ age, or perhaps personal needs, such as concern for his wife’s health?
Anyway, all orthodox Anglicans in North America owe a great debt to the courageous and effective leadership displayed by +Gregory Venables. He and Bolivian bishop Frank Lyons really stepped up to the plate and did heroic feats in support of our movement. I thank God for them.
David Handy+
Bishop Zavala is a wise choice for difficult times.
Our choice of a Presiding Bishop is about our perception of God’s will and our desire to see the Southern Cone under godly leadership. We are a bible gospel church and avoid politics unless the situation demands it hence our action in recent times. Bishop Tito is God’s man for this period.
The vote in houses over the ordination of women as priests failed to achieve the required two thirds in the house of clergy so will not be implemented.
My decision to stand down was about provincial canons. We don’t have the luxury of a primate freed from diocesan duties and always choose a primate for just three years in that context and with that constraint. I have served nine years which is the longest period in the history of the province. I continue in my role of Diocesan of Argentina and also interim Diocesan of Northern Argentina. For the moment I am still chair of Gafcon which I believe to be the only real hope for our Communion since it provides theological cohesion and a gospel shaped body. Sylvia’s health is good at present. Thanks for your concern and prayers.
#1 TJ
Yes, and moreover, it is well worth reading Mark McCall and Philip Turner’s What Is A Cross Border Intervention And When Is A Moratorium Indeed a Moratorium ‘expose of the rewriting of the truth by the ACO over the exclusion of AB designate Zavala from IASCUFO. It is indicative of the lawlessness which rules at the heart of St Andrew’s House and Lambeth Palace.
#6 God bless you +Gregory. Sadly yes, it increasingly looks that way.
By the way, is any body going to the wretched man’s IAFUSCO meeting this month?
+Gregory, et al,
I apologize for my comment in #1, as I see that I did not say what I meant to say. My thought was to put across that Southern Cone was not intimidated by Canon Kearon’s action, and that Bishop Zavala’s removal from the committee did not influence the HoB in their choice of Primate, not that Bishop Zavala was chosen as some sort of “in your face” rejection of ACO. My words were poorly chosen.
I will always be grateful to Bishop Gregory and all in Southern Cone for their support of so many parishes and dioceses here in the US- they indeed came to the rescue when TEC moved against faithful clergy and laity here. Bishop Zavala is in my prayers also.
From McCall and Turner at ACI:
[blockquote]the Secretary General has failed to distinguish adequately between what the Southern Cone has done and other violations of the various moratoria requested by one or another of the Instruments of Communion. Further, he has assumed that the moratorium on border crossing has the same authority as the moratoria on blessing same sex unions and the consecration of persons who have entered such unions. He has not asked if these moratoria are of the same kind or of the same weight, and he has falsely assumed that border crossings have been proscribed by the Instruments of Communion in the same way as have the moratoria on blessings and consecrations.[/blockquote]
Quite so.
Gregory, I thank you for your comments, and I wish you well!
Likewise, I too thank +Gregory for dropping in and answering my questions. May the Lord richly bless you, bishop, and the new primate, and all the clergy and people in the Southern Cone.
David Handy+