Archbishop [automatically, by reflex]: And also with you. [Recovering] But—but why are you here, and now? And why are you in those terrible chains?
Ghost: I am the Ghost of Lambeth Past, and I am doing penance for my pride. I have come to show you how you are about to repeat the terrible mistake we made at the First Lambeth Conference.
Archbishop: Mistake? What mistake? I thought the first Lambeth Conference was a model for all the rest. There was restraint, the bishops agreed in advance—
Ghost [interrupting]: Not to call a Church council, and pass canons binding on us all? Oh, yes, we agreed to that, all right.
Archbishop: Then what is this “terrible mistake” to which you refer?
Ghost: The affair with Bishop Colenso of South Africa—you must surely know.
Archbishop: Bishop Colenso? But wasn’t he deposed by the Church of the Province of South Africa for going against the teachings of the Church? And as a result, not invited to your First Lambeth Conference?
Ghost: You are correct….
Awesome.
The Church of England in South Africa (CESA) continues to minister. It has a web site, a succession of bishops in the Anglican line, and a continuing relationship with the Dioceseof Sydney. From reading the web site I conclude that it is much more in the Evangelical tradition than the Church of the Province of Southern Africa.
Absolutely brilliant! Part II was quite interesting, albeit much less dramatic, as well. Haven’t read the last one, yet.