Nationally, most Churches that leave the ACC will align themselves with a just-created parallel governing structure called the Anglican Network in Canada (ANIC). Globally, they will position themselves under the leadership of more traditional Anglican leaders from other continents. But they remain members of the world-wide Anglican Communion and, in fact, are only strengthening that tie by leaving a national Church that is operating outside of Anglican authority.
There is clearly a deep doctrinal and theological split in the Anglican Church. Open debates always have a place, but something is seriously wrong when Church leaders have no qualms about defying Church doctrine (the central tenets and core beliefs of the faith), yet declare a schism and cry “disobedience” when the man-created lines of Church leadership are threatened.
The real story here isn’t that a schism is now occurring in one of Canada’s most prominent Churches. What should be of most concern to those who sit in the pews is that the leadership of the Anglican Church in Canada has abandoned its traditional roles of defending the faith and the authority of Scriptures. It has refused to act even as its own leaders repeatedly defied Church doctrine and authority. Perhaps that’s why membership in Canada’s Anglican Church has declined 30% over the past 40 years, while membership at conservative Churches like St. John’s is thriving.
“Perhaps that’s why membership in Canada’s Anglican Church has declined 30% over the past 40 years, while membership at conservative Churches like St. John’s is thriving.”
30% is a very conservative estimate. If you go on the basis of parish rolls it’s more than 60% since 1965 in the two largest dioceses of Toronto and Huron. And ASA in the diocese where I am resident has declined by over 20% in just 10 years.
So maybe this is one reason why orthodox parishes should exhibit a little more patience. If they wait long enough they will be all that’s left.