I am grateful to God for my recent experiences as a participant in the second Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON2), which met October 21-26 in Nairobi, Kenya. With nearly 1400 delegates from around the world, it was the largest conference of faithful Anglicans in history! Over 330 Bishops attended (30 of whom were Archbishops), and they brought with them priests and laity from almost 40 different countries. They embodied the richly diverse constituency of the global Anglican Communion. No other international gathering has represented so many Anglicans.
“Surely it was a “God moment†at the opening Eucharist of the conference, when at the time to receive the Sacrament, I found myself kneeling right beside Archbishop Welby at the high altar, and we looked up to see that it was Archbishop Bob Duncan who was delivering the Host to us. How I wish I had a picture of that moment!”
I have had my share of criticism for the new ABoC, but this is a very good thing. It will be very difficult for the ACO and TEC to spin this as meaning anything other than what it means.
Just wait till Katherine finds out Welby took communion with Iker, and from Duncan! She’ll surely excommunicate and depose him too.
Marie,
Probably not, as being in full communion with the ABoC is one of the things she throws in everyone’s face all the time. On the other hand, I could see the big contribution from Trinity Wall Street for the restoration of Lambeth Palace drying up. And one imagines the general secretary of the Anglican Communion (formerly know as Secretary of the ACO) and Clay Matthews will be sent round to conciliate Welby.
To make sure that he doesn’t stray from the path that Schori’s chosen for him? He walks his own path, and I think he knows that he’s going to have to make a decision as to which fork in the road he’ll take. And does Trinity’s money really mean so much to the folks at Lambeth? Well, when you make a pact with the Devil, that money can burn your fingers. [i]They need to think long and hard before they accept it.[/i]
I’m grateful that all the orthodox leaders say pretty much the same thing about our ABC: they recognize him as the faithful, brave, and orthodox man of God that he is. Indeed, his primacy is a God moment! No surprise really, but encouraging to hear it from all quarters of the Communion.
His number one concern and commitment is the reevangelization of England, and much like Pope Francis, we will not understand him properly until we come to grips with that fact.
He will not be deterred by warring factions. He knows from whom he gets his marching orders.
#3 TJ
[blockquote]I could see the big contribution from Trinity Wall Street for the restoration of Lambeth Palace drying up[/blockquote]
Who knows, but more likely are some more strings to be attached to the latest wheeze from Welby: ‘New Continuing Indaba’ brought to you by Trinity Wall Street.
#5 Tory+
[blockquote]our ABC: … brave, and orthodox man of God that he is…His number one concern and commitment is the reevangelization of England, and … we will not understand him properly until we come to grips with that fact[/blockquote]
If that is truly the case, and it is not just something you are trotting out, as you are wont to do, please explain why Welby has been publicly promoting homosexuality and rites of blessing for same sex relationships for the Church of England contrary to Lambeth Resolution 1:10 of 1998, the Dar-es-Salaam Primates Meeting resolutions, and the moratoria of the Windsor Report?
PM
I don’t believe he is guilty as charged nor do I believe all these orthodox bishops, who sing his praises, believe this. They would be guilty of deception – and as you can see their number continues to grow by the week. They, and I, may be wrong about our measure of the man but there is no effort at mass deception. At least not from those of us who want to give him the benefit of the doubt.
What I truly think is that ++Welby’s strategy is similar to that of Pope Francis both while he was Archbishop of Beunos Aires and what appears to be his strategy now as Bishop of Rome. He will seek to protect marriage both as an institution and means of grace….as he has done numerous times already even while acknowledging that same sex partnerships are inevitable in secular society. I have heard him state many times that what the state is doing is not the equivalent of Christian marriage. Furthermore, he believes the ancient boundaries are the right boundaries: sex is for marriage and marriage is between one man and one woman.
As I’ve offered before PM, call me sometime and we can discuss further but just be sure to use your real name.
Peace PM
I hope that Welby’s archbishopric will be a “God moment,” but I will be convinced of that by actions and not by sermons and interviews. HIs receiving the host from the hand of an allegedly deposed American bishop is encouraging. Much more will be needed.
Problem is, as soon as he left Nairobi, Welby was taking communion (or perhaps just eating some stage bread) with the Porvoo bishops-
http://www.d-intl.com/2013/10/15/swedish-archbishop-prefers-allah/?lang=en
You’re right, tjmcmahon, that’s a problem. That new Swedish bishop is the very model of a modern non-Christian.
#7 Thanks Tory+
I will revert on the rest of your post, but I believe the orthodox bishops sing the praises of God rather than of Justin Welby.