The General Synod, the national assembly of the Church of England, released a report this week providing further clarity on its working relationship with the Anglican Church in North America, and encouraged an “open-ended engagement with ACNA on the part of the Church of England and the (Anglican) Communion.”
“We are encouraged by the desire of the Church of England to continue to embrace the Anglican Church in North America and remain in solidarity with us as we proclaim the Gospel message and truth as revealed in Scripture in the way it has always been understood in Anglican formularies,” said Archbishop Duncan.
If that was an “embrace”, it was a rather chaste one. It sounded much more like a kicking of the can down the road, a long road at that.
[blockquote]19. The Church of England remains fully committed to the Anglican Communion
and to being in communion both with the Anglican Church of Canada and the
Episcopal Church (TEC). In addition, the Synod motion has given Church of
England affirmation to the desire of ACNA to remain in some sense within the
Anglican family.[/blockquote]
Sounds as if all they are saying is that they have recognized that ACNA wants to be Anglican, but that their their current relationship is with TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada.
True, nothing at all for TEC to worry about here – status quo will remain the same for the foreseeble future and so each of TEC and ACNA can continue along their current trajectories. ;o)
Forget Canterbury and most certainly forget TEC. Communion with TEC would be like dancing with the Devil. The CofE is slowly leaning that way.