In a rare intervention, Bishop Mouneer Anis of Egypt warned that many of the estimated 55 million Anglicans across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australasia and the Americans felt they had “no say” in the process of selecting a successor for Dr Rowan Williams.
He voiced fears that the selection committee, dominated by liberal-leaning British church leaders, would be unlikely to represent the traditionalist views of most Anglicans overseas.
As a result, their decision might only serve to further fracture the Worldwide Anglican Communion, which has been riven with disputes over issues such as homosexuality in recent years.
Well done. There is basically no representation for the Global South anywhere in the Communion structures despite the appearance.
++Anis is exactly right…I only wish it would do some good.
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s job, first and foremost, is to be the Primate of All England. That he also must pay attention to a global communion of autonomous jurisdictions is a sidelight which ought not be necessary. Considering the problems the English Church has, perhaps his secondary role should be eliminated.
Good for AB Anis. The Global South does not consider itself in communion with KJS/TEC. That is something the ABC does need to deal with. And I feel certain the recognition of a new class of oppressed minority seminarians (“transgendered”) by GC wil not help bring the relationship any closer. I am ready (as I believe Anis and the rest of the Global South are)for an ABC who will take steps to recognize the truth on the ground, and admit (1) TEC is a declining sect and (2) there are real Anglican Christians in North America who need to be fostered.
Very nice and thoughtful words fromBishop Anis. There is little to no representation for those outside of the UK. I agree with ++Anis that this may have worked in colonial days of the expanding British empire but this is not how many want to select the next ABoC. Alas, this is the process we have now. I am perfectly fine with the ABoC being a bishop in the CoE and not pretending to be head of the WWAC. What would it take to change the process to a process that is more representative of the mind/thoughts/votes of the WWAC? CAN the process be changed??