We revisited the issue of pastoral standards for civil partnerships, recognizing that we are engaged in a long term process even though many of our people now face immediate pain, isolation, and loneliness. While circumstances vary from diocese to diocese, all of us are openly engaged in a process of listening and discernment. Several bishops presented feedback from their dioceses. Special thanks were afforded to Bishop Bethlehem and the Diocese of Port Elizabeth for their example in readily engaging so deeply and thoroughly with this pastoral reality. We reaffirm that all dioceses continue to observe only the orthodox teaching and pastoral practices long held by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa.
We noted the importance of having a clear and uniform provincial policy on licencing clergy to ministries in our dioceses, and examined a draft policy paper. Bishops were encouraged to enable all clergy to be well informed about this policy. We also received, with thanks, templates, canonical references, and a draft agreement for implementing this policy in our dioceses.
I am not sure what this means, however the sentence “We reaffirm that all dioceses continue to observe only the orthodox teaching and pastoral practices long held by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa” sounds hopeful.
Yes, Michael,
I had a similar initial reaction. There appears to be some artful, diplomatic ambiguity deliberately built in, although that key line you cited is clear enough. Of course, the very fact that the rest of the communique is much less clear is telling, and doubtless shows that the bishops are not all of one mind. Which is just what you’d expect in a mixed province like South Africa. After all, ++Desmond Tutu openly supported the whole pro-gay agenda, and South Africa is by far the most westernized of African countries…
Further encouraging evidence of a return to sanity or movement toward more orthodoxy and orthodpraxis appears in the bishops plug for the upcoming Anglican Ablaze event this fall. The Anglican Ablaze movment is distinctly evangelical, so that is another hopeful sign.
Finally, I was also struck by a different line, Michael. One toward the end, when the bishops got around to mentioning their decision to add a feast day to their provincial calendar, commemorating the faithful life and witness of a woman named Elizabeth Paul. Singificantly, her ministry back in the 1950s and 60s (as a layperson) is described as one of “preaching, healing, and [i]exorcising of demons[/i].” Wow! So we have a contemporary Anglican province openly recognizing the validity of a charismatic ministry of healing and exorcism! Maybe all hope isn’t lost for South Africa yet (wink).
David Handy+
3-D Christian
There certainly are some encouraging signs from that province. In fairness, their circumstances are complex, and not easy. Hopefully all of ACSA will eventually see that the way of Jack Spong, K J Schori et al. is an historical dead-end in the church, much as Arrianism was in the 4th century.
I agree, Michael.
Then there is the striking fact that the archbishop and the province are lining up in support of the Anglican Covenant. Even though I don’t put much stock in the value of the Covenant myself, I certainly find it encouraging that South Africa is willing to sign it, unlike TEC, the ACoC, and New Zealand.
David Handy+