Members of what is described as the largest congregation in the Anglican Church of Canada voted strongly Wednesday to split with Vancouver-area Bishop Michael Ingham over his support for same-sex blessings.
“It means that the community speaks with one mind,” said St. John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church spokeswoman Lesley Bentley, after a preliminary count showed that out of 495 ballots cast, only 11 opposed the split and nine abstained.
“What it is is very uniting.”
What exactly is so appealing about the Diocese of the Southern Cone? I mean, having a bishop on the other side of the world does not seem like a good pastoral oversight situation to me.
Archer, our bishop isn’t on the other side of the world………he’s right here among us! Our Archbishop, however, is “down under” in Argentina…….Buenos Aires, as a matter of fact. For Roman Catholics, their oversight comes from Rome, doesn’t it? Then what’s so different about where OURS comes from?
What’s so appealing, you ask? The fact that we are no longer a part of The Episcopal Church and its apostasy is appealing enough for me……..and around 8,500 others, for starters.
I grew up in Vancouver and I think that Americans might not understand how big this news is. Big for several reasons. First, St. John’s is the biggest Anglican parish in Canada. Second, the rector, David Short, is very well connected to the Diocese of Sydney, Australia. Third, this is likely to set the precedent for a lot of seperations over the next several months. Fourth, St. John’s has a lot of wealthy and connected parishioners. If the diocese wants to make this into a legal fight, they will get the fight of their lives. And this is a diocese that is in serious decline and is being forced to close parishes left and right. Fifth, this is J.I. Packer’s home parish. Sixth, I will make a guess that for many international Anglican/Episcopal students who study at Regent College, St. John’s was their place of worship during their time at Regent. So St. John’s decision will be felt around the world.
Thanks for the background, jamesw.