The House of Bishops expressed their rejection of the interventions by Primates from other Provinces. However they did not accept the Primates recommendation of a Pastoral Scheme. Instead they came up with an internal plan for ”Episcopal visitors” which is unlikely to solve deep disputes between Dioceses and parishes and TEC. Of course it is impossible to imagine that TEC could both be a party in the dispute as well as a judge of it.
In conclusion, I believe that TEC did not and will not change its position in regard to the issues that tear apart the fabric of the Communion. They tried to use very ambiguous language to show that they responded positively to the Windsor Report and well as the Primates recommendation. However, I see that they are determined to go their own way. I am afraid that TEC’s position may lead to more intervention and further fragmentation within the Communion. They describe their position as a new Reformation, but they forgot that the reformation led to a split!
At a time like this we need clarity and firmness to resolve this crisis. Without this the Communion will fragment because every church will take the actions she likes. I do pray for Archbishop Rowan Williams at this time, so that the Lord may give him wisdom and the love in this difficult time.
“I do pray for Archbishop Rowan Williams at this time, so that the Lord may give him wisdom and love in this difficult time.”
There are many of us who join you in that fervent prayer. This is, needless to say, a real crunch time for the Anglican Communion.
I’ve been studying the rather underappreciated life of another archbishop of Canterbury; and in fact an inexpensive edition of my life of that man, Geoffrey Fisher, has just been published by Wipf & Stock, if anyone is interested:
http://wipfandstock.com/store/Geoffrey_Fisher_Archbishop_of_Canterbury_19451961/
Fisher played a major role in building and shaping the modern Anglican Communion. I am especially mindful, then, of how much is at stake, of how much pain and effort went into building the mutually responsible and interdependent communion that we have all benefited richly from, and of how precarious is our present position.
Geoffrey Fisher–archbishop between 1945 and 1961 (between Temple and Ramsey)–faced great challenges, but he met them with intelligence, resolve, courage, and a certain administrative toughness as well as flexibility. The history of that whole period is instructive.
This is an excellent article/report. I hope every member of the HoB reads it. I am sure they would all agree with it.
This man gets it.
The HOB needs to be reminded of the profound difference between autonomy and autocephaly.