The Plenary began with what you would expect: Reflections on the Spouses Program, then brief responses from two of the ecumenical participants. These were surprisingly stirring, particularly Metropolitan Kallistos words. “Your questions” he said, “are our questions, or if they are not already they will be. The double headed eagle is one of our symbols. Not the double headed ostrich! I ask two questions of your time: Did they clearly proclaim Jesus Christ as the only Lord and Savior of the world? And did the bishops uphold marriage and the sanctity of the family? How should I answer? To the first question, Yes, Christ was proclaimed as Lord. There was the uniqueness of the incarnation. To the second question I’m still wondering. Where is there a plain statement of the sanctity of marriage? What about Lambeth 1.10? Does not Truth matter more than outward unity?” Here were profound questions and observations posed by one of our ecumenical participants. Those with whom I was sitting were heartened””but of course they were theological conservatives.
This was followed by more appreciations and introductions, and then came, Archbishop Rowan Williams’ Third Presidential Address. I thought it was brilliant. A clear and bold affirmation of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ and of a unity that is inseparable from the Truth. He was not forcing others to conform but he was strongly urging us toward a covenanted future, possibly making of us more of a Church. Very importantly he added his weight to Lambeth 1.10 and the moratoria””no same-sex blessings, no consecration of active gay bishops, no diocesan incursions. All of which I can abide by. Likewise I was encouraged by his vision of a global church with international commitments; not merely as a colonial relic, but as a global communion. I suppose I resonated with it because it is where my thoughts have been for so long. It is the only viable and godly way through our present problems””which, I might add, I see as things God has allowed both to judge and move us towards greater faithfulness in this new and challenging century.
Several things towards the end of his address I found particularly intriguing. He acknowledged, at Lambeth ’08, we have not overcome our problems, (which as obvious as it is, I’m grateful it was acknowledged). Nor have we established new structures, (that, however, was done by GAFCON therein dramatically reframing the landscape). Before the ACC’s meeting next May he will call a Primates Meeting early in 2009. (Thank God!). He affirmed the Pastoral Forum recommended by the Windsor Continuation Group; (Windsor is not dead); and he held out an olive branch towards GAFCON, (A crucial and gracious overture at the conclusion of Lambeth). Unlike some conservatives I’ve spoken to, I see these as anything but timid or insignificant developments. Frankly, as I heard them within the framework of my morning meditation, I was personally heartened, not because it solves any of our local or provincial problems in TEC. Unfortunately that is one thing it doesn’t do, at least immediately. That is, will the Episcopal Church hear the call for restraint? As the Sudanese say, “Let us go and see.” I’ve come to see so many of these challenges in a more global perspective.
+Mark – nice job on yesterday’s “Religion and Ethics News”. Unfortunately, they gave VGR just as much, if not more air time. Personally, I’m done watching that show.
First things first. It’s Monday morning….the court house is open…..no need to wait to call off all court activity…..then we can talk about no boarder crossing…no blessings….no gay bishops…..
#2. Dee,
Thank you for your wish for this morning. It is beautiful and desirable.
I sit in the lowest pew in a CANA church, so my view may be inaccurate. However, it seems to me that TEC is unable to see the magnitude of its court losses in Virginia. Further, they seem unable to cut their losses. I do not expect to see them rush to court this morning and withdraw their suit. They have lost all the legal high ground, all the moral high ground, and all the theological high ground. They have taken the low road, but by gum it’s their road and they are going to stick to it.
If I were permitted a word about “diocesan incursions” here is what I would say: Our church (St. Stephen’s, Heathsville) firmly resists any incursion that would separate it from the word of God. We are part of the Anglican District of Virginia, which is part of The Convocation of Anglicans in North America. Neither of these bodies made an “incursion” into our sphere. We ran to them seeking protection from a Diocese and TEC which has adopted wicked ways and unChristian practices. No matter what +Mark or ++Rowan says about incursions I claim there has been none in our instance. Further, there is no power in the universe, short of God’s, that could drive us back into the Diocese of Virginia or the TEC without their repentance and reformation to Christian ways.
As far as listening goes, I have clearly heard the words of the DioVA and TEC and find them unGodly, perverse and self-serving. It is unclear to me if they have heard anything we have said for the past eight years, either out of court or in.
Thanks again for the (positive) wish that TEC would start the big turnaround today. That is my main prayer for them, anymore.
— Stan
Regardless of how many “No’s” ABC speaks, TEC will continue to do as they wish, and boast about it.
No, the EC will continue is path to full inclusion for all except Traditionalists. There are no incursion. Yes, boundaries have been crossed because some Bishops and the leadership of the EC are persecuting Traditionalists in TEC. The boundary crossings are rescue actions as requested by those who need rescuing…..Give me a break on the twisting of reality!!!!!
If you are not in a Diocese like SC, FT. Worth, Pittsburgh, Quincy or Albany…your in big trouble.
Bishop Lawrence strikes the right tone. Ruth Gledhill says, “For Dr Williams’s strategy to work, conservative primates from Africa must also pledge a moratorium on consecrating cross-boundary bishops to minister to evangelical congregations in liberal dioceses.”
I suggest that the next chess move be a pledge by the conservative primates to fully embrace just such a moratorium.
From my perspective, there was nothing POSITIVE said about ANYTHING. No definitive statement about the sanctity of Holy Matrimony between one man and one woman, and no prohibition placed upon same-sex “blessings” or “unions,” and no indication of ever intending to do so. This was a “do nothing to upset the applecart” conference, and as far as I’m concerned, it was a complete and abject waste of time, money, and effort.
For those of you in CANA/Virginia, the legal argument from TEC will be something along these lines in your legal battle to retain your property.
TEC will say;
“We just returned from Lambeth, the once every 10 year gathering of the entire Anglican Church. We all decided to stay together. GAFCON has affirmed that they are not leaving the AC. Therefore, there is no division, only a cross border incursion from another province who desires to lay claim to valuable TEC property for their own selfish desires.
We all agreed at Lambeth that there must be a moratorium on these cross border incursions. Therefore, the division statue does not apply, and we still own the property.”
Cennydd,
And so you are saying about Bp Lawrence’s “Final Report” that….. ?
RGEaton
#8. Bill, They will probably try that and it probably will not fly. According to the judge, he has already seen the division, i.e. we have split, so the reality of that is not a question in his mind. There are discussions about splits and there are real splits. This is a real split of churches in Virginia. That is what really counts in Virginia.
Further, I think the Gafcon primates will do some more distancing themselves from the ABC and TEC in the early 2009 meeting of the primates. Believe it or not they are ready for reformation.
Best wishes, through it all, — Stan
I have known Mark Lawrence for two decades….and while I agree with him in most theological matters, I would have much more respect for him if he LEFT TEC tomorrow for CANA or some such (but why should he, he is SO close to that well-earned CPF pension!!!??)
Little Cabbage, your respect does not come through, imagined or not. A priest in TEC who has guarded the Faith has every right to receive the rewards of his labor. Most of all, he has the right to expect the Church will not take away the greatest treasure of all, even greater than the CPF: Truth of the Way, the Truth and the Life himself, Jesus. I doubt any of us will earn your respect who have that in mind and I doubt seriously you agree in most theological matters with Mark.