Among the key proposals, they suggest a new framework that could censure rebellious Churches and a central “pastoral forum” to settle disputes.
However, the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, the Bishop of Winchester, said that the Archbishop’s plan to maintain unity lacked a sense of urgency and was unlikely to work.
“The Lambeth Conference is required to do something rather than live down to the worst expectations of the bishops who stayed away,” he said.
“We need to negotiate a separation in the Communion sooner rather than later, to leave the strongest possibility of remaining in some kind of fellowship.”
Bishop Scott-Joynt said that he was concerned that traditional Churches in Africa would break away unless the Lambeth Conference delivers a clear definition of what Anglicanism represents in the final report.
[blockquote]“We need to negotiate a separation in the Communion sooner rather than later, to leave the strongest possibility of remaining in some kind of fellowship.†[/blockquote]
It won’t happen. The time for that was in fall of 2003. Rowan Williams could have trimmed some dead skin off an infected toe at that juncture and it would have been over. Now he insists that the gangrenous leg that dangles is perfectly healthy and just needs a good washing, oblivious that it is killing the body.
It will be up to GAFCON to perform the amputation.
“Liberals warned that such an action could lead to civil war in the Church.” COULD LEAD? Hasn’t it already?
Very good analogy, Jeffersonian. Ultimately, the ABC wants to provide a common framework for Christ and Belial to have spiritual fellowship. This, of course, is impossible.
Actually, this request by the two English bishops was totally unnecessary. The separation they requested is already well underway and it will pick up speed this coming fall — after everyone absorbs what a complete (and expensive) farce this Lambeth Conference has been.
This is really huge when someone of Winchester’s stature puts this forth…he is a lovely and gracious man who is always measured and thoughtful…not one to speak without some sense that there is real support for this…I wonder where Durham is on this…my bet: standing right next to Winchester.
Could they go into overtime? They don’t have much time to do things ‘the Anglican way’ with only one day left.
“…His fears were echoed by the Rt Rev Michael Langrish, the Bishop of Exeter, who accused America’s Episcopal Church, which consecrated Anglicanism’s first openly gay bishop, of being selfish and establishing a rival Church.”
“He said: “The vast majority want to take steps towards restoring Communion, but a smaller group base the language of Communion on feelings — what it means to me, what can I get from it.†”
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The bishop has summed it up. My motto for the revisionist bishops running ECUSA is “It is all about me.”
They seem to have no sense of shame or comprehension of the concept of shame.
However, a sense of shame requires a sense of accountability and ECUSA’s ruling bishops seem to be accountable only unto themselves.
If they were children, I would say that they were expressing the self-centeredness of spoiled children.
But, they are not children.
I am with Father Don. This is big. And it certainly counters the claptrap that Rowan was successful “avoiding schism.”
Overtime, GA/FL? No. The nefarious way to deal with a contentious matter is to place it last on the agenda, and then not have time to bring it to an orderly close. Then, the leader apologizes to the group, and says that perhaps there can be further communications by another mechanism. This should have been dealt with in the manner of an ecumenical council, although one must admit that the Anglican Communion doesn’t have that authority. (Hmmm, Constantinople, Alexandria, Rome, toss in Canterbury for the heck of it. Who else is still around?)
Instead, the impatient liberal bishops are once again extending middle fingers into the faces of traditionalists. Some of the latter are starting to stand up to the bullying, and I think that’s good.
“The people in the pew wonder what all the fuss is about” so said the chairman of the inclusive church BUT this is only true if one belongs to an iclusive church. If one belongs to a ‘break-away Church’ one will have had plenty of up front discussions and information and will have made decisions already. As I have said since 2003 the Bishops of TEC could NOT keep ths under raps because we are no longer kept in the dark as to what is going on (thanks to the internt etc) and the people in the pews are now very educated on this subject. As one who belongs to a ‘break-away from TEC Church’ I thank God for a strong Parish and Priest.
At last some bishops with sense and a desire to spread the Good News and not kowtoe to apostates and heretics, May God Bless Them.
#5, you undoubtedly know much more about these people than I do. So far I haven’t seen any indication that Durham will stand with Winchester on this.