The Anglican archbishop of Rwanda was first, then his counterpart in Nigeria. Now Kenya’s Anglican archbishop is taking a group of U.S. churches under his authority, and Uganda’s archbishop may be next.
African and, to a lesser extent, Southeast Asian and Latin American prelates are racing to appoint American bishops and to assume jurisdiction over congregations that are leaving the Episcopal Church, particularly since its consecration of a gay bishop in New Hampshire in 2003.
So far, the heads, or primates, of Anglican provinces overseas have taken under their wings 200 to 250 of the more than 7,000 congregations in the Episcopal Church, the U.S. branch of Anglicanism. Among their gains are some large and wealthy congregations — including several in Northern Virginia — that bring international prestige and a steady stream of donations.
The foreign influx is a consequence of the rift in the 2.3 million-member U.S. church, and explanations of what it’s really all about depend on what side of that divide you’re on, said the Rev. Ian T. Douglas, a professor of world mission and global Christianity at the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass.
“It can either be read as the next step in a grand plan to replace the Episcopal Church, or it can be read as a splintering of the conservatives and a competition for who is going to be the real leader of disaffected U.S. congregations,” he said.
And the Washington Post messes up again.
“The Kenyan Archbishop” has had oversight over American parishes for at least a year and a half (that’s how long we’ve had him) and Uganda for even longer.
And the washington Post messes up yet again by presuming to know the content of The ABC’s letter to Akinola. The letter was never released for publication, never hit the internet; only Rowan Williams and Peter Akinola know what it contained.
Asking Ian Douglass (whom we watched conduct his own progressive agenda while on the Special Committee at General Convention) is like asking Prime Minster North to explain the American Revolution (well, on one hand it’s a few wealthy Southn planters and Northern lawyers trying to subvert the King or a few Boston rebel rousers interfering with international trade). Next!
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Kendall, will you not at last look at this radical shift in church affairs and tell us where you think this trend is going to go? This is not the Bobbsey Twins on BLueberry Island. This”invasion” would appear to have far far reaching consequences, suggesting a massive shift in power and influence. What will the wider culture do with this invasion? Does it give a damn? Should it? Major allegiances are being outsourced, only its not cars and computers, it’s basic beliefs. Kendall, this will effect even how people vote. Will the candidates speak to this issue in the next campaign? Do they even dare? Larry
“Among their gains are some large and wealthy congregations — including several in Northern Virginia — that bring international prestige and a steady stream of donations.”
Is there any reliable data on how much money the TEC has been contributing to churches in other countries and how much if any the new “african american” churches will be contributing to african churches if they simply switch their diocesan contributions to their new leadership?
I ask because some people seem to think this is only about money.
RE: “”It can either be read as the next step in a grand plan to replace the Episcopal Church, or it can be read as a splintering of the conservatives and a competition for who is going to be the real leader of disaffected U.S. congregations,†he said.”
LOL. Nice “either/or” statement there. ; > )
It’s neither . . . and Ian Douglas knows it.
Actually, despite that one quote, the bulk of this story is an overwhelming one sided with AMiA & CANA voices, very little editorializing by the author (I’m cutting slack for third paragraph — this is the ComPost after all). Considering this is the Washington Post I’m very surprised!