It couldn’t be clearer. The GAFCON fellowship is a reform movement within the Anglican Communion, but rather than simply calling for change, or asking the Archbishop of Canterbury to bring about change (a request that has been made repeatedly, and refused), the GAFCON movement is prepared take concrete action to make a difference. As the Statement proceeds, what this means in practice is spelled out””such as recognizing the need for the formation of a new province for North America, and urging the GAFCON Primates’ Council to act accordingly.
It is a remarkable statement””a rescue plan for the Anglican Communion, and a vision for a positive, growing, gospel future. Given the different streams of orthodox, Bible-believing Anglicanism represented at GAFCON, and the horse trading that is always involved in crafting these sorts of statements, it is stronger in its Scriptural and doctrinal affirmations, and bolder and wiser in its practical measures, than many of us had dared to hope.
Thanks for posting this KH. I would urge everyone to read it in full as it describes the motivations and constituency behind each part of the statement. Anyone disagreeing with any element of the statement will need to ensure they have a satisfactory alternative to allay each of these underlying concerns, rather than just look at the statement as a whole, and agree to some points and reject others.
And now to the question: What will be the reaction of The Episcopal Church and their friends?
My answer is this: WHO CARES?
Well, Cennydd, I care, because there is a lot that Schori et al and the Can. Church can do, and the ABC has the accumulated authority of a long tradition. The question is, will they fight, all or some? And what form will this fighting take? If they choose to undermine, circumvent, play on fears and resentments, seek to unify real and potential allies, find accomodations between themselves and secular society so that the weight of the latter – simply enormous – can create leverage for the former, e.g., publically join with all homosexual groups of all sorts and the liberals who have them high on their social agenda, divide and conquer by playing up to those most friendly to themselves inside conservative Anglicans – these sorts of things can cut GAFCON off at the knees and marginalize them. I MIGHT add too, that there is a race card to play, and subtly played, which in the US and England may take many a pot. Is this not so? I fear this potential moves, because this Restoration is so young and so at odds with prevailing society.
Icidentally, I would call GAFCON in the future, The Instauration, a title I like and right on the truth. I can hope Bacon doesn’t mind.
Larry