There are the usual concerns about the constitutional and legal implications of signing on to an international set of “canons” which might jeopardize our ability to say legitimately that we are “autonomous” (make our own laws/canons). And concerns about “power to the Primates” on doctrinal and other issues. Concerns about too much emphasis on “Church of England formularies” (i.e. 1662 Prayer Book, 39 Articles, their Ordinal) rather than referring more broadly to “Anglican formularies.”
Personally, I think we can deal with all those matters. Draft 2 is clearly moving in the right direction. We are to work with it more at Lambeth, the writing team will then prepare a 3rd Draft which will go to the Anglican Consultative Council. If they reject it, it will go back for more work. If they accept it, we will begin the process of having it voted on in the 38 Provinces.
I think there is time for us to improve the document still further. It is clear to me that some kind of Anglican Covenant will be put forth and ultimately signed. The only question is”¦will we be part of it?
Today’s lectionary readings are on spiritual blindness. The accompanying prayers at Lent & Beyond are here and here.
The Anglican Communion will continue, and as Bishop Epting says, will be governed by an Anglican Covenant. The question is whether the Episcopal Church wants to be part of such an Anglican Communion. The answer is not certain.
Canons, Bishop Epting, are only for the little folks. The HOB, the PB, and any and sundry can re-define them at any time in ECUSA/TEC/GCC. A very sad state when the quality of the legal experts to the current realpolitiks is on par with their “theology”. Embarassing, isn’t it? Pathetic and bathetic, and precisely what ECUSA/TEC/GCC deserves. Ah, the wheels of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine…; live by the canons, die by the canons.
2, I don’t hold out much hope for an Anglican Covenant. If it ever comes into being it will be too little, too late and it will do nothing for the orthodox in North America. The AC will not come to our rescue.
The St. Andrew’s Covenant is an improvement. Thus, saith one of the pracitioners of TEC cronyism. Not only will the final draft do nothing for the orthodox, Br. Michael, but the final draft will probably say nothing about the issues dividing the communion but if one one looks at the drift of the drafts, it will condemn border crossing as the only real problem confronting the AC. And Bp Epting will be very happy.
P.S. Visited Bishop Epting’s blog and noted that he and the Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori will be guests of the Bishop Bruno associate, Bp Dawani of Jerusalem, this Holy Week (Slightly edited-ed.).
Will we be a part of it? NO!!!! Absolutely not! Never! No way! Nada chance!