It was an emotionally up and down day. The final verson of the “Reflections” came out and I was not only disappointed with its content, but also with the process. We had not been given a chance to review the last and most controversial section before it was printed up, and I felt that the process had not been done fairly. The trust that had built up over the past few weeks was rapidly evaporating for me. But after a wonderful final Bible study session and the chance to air my concerns in the final indaba group, I felt much better.
There will be a lot of questions as to “what came out of Lambeth?” I will be mulling this over in the next week or so, and will write more about it later, but it is probably easier to say what did NOT come out. First, no schism! Those who predicted that this would be the end of the Anglican Communion were dead wrong. Yes, there is a group (GAFCON) which has already left, but those of us remaining (about 85%) are committed to remaining together. The other thing did not come out was any kind of policy. There was no legislation done–only conversations were held. Finally, what will have to wait is a solution to the problems that beset us. There will be more meetings, more discussions. The American House of Bishop’s meeting in September will be important for us to digest the meeting and come to some understanding of how we will respond to the mood of Lambeth, especially as regards c the issues of moratoria and “Pastoral Forums” who could monitor our compliance with the Windsor Report. All this remains to be done, and no one should jump to any early conclusions!
As for what DID come out–There is above all a renewed scene of connectedness in mission. As one bishop said, “We are the product of the conference.” This new level of trust and respect and unity in Christ will serve us well in the years ahead.
Read it all. It is remarkable how many TEC bishops continue to misrepresent those they disagree with. GAFCON has not “already left” as was made clear at the GAFCON conference and in the concluding statement of the conference–KSH.
Just keep to the talking points provided by the Presiding Bishop of TEC and all will be well…..Gafcon has left. We are really nice folks and would never do anything ungodly. Really, just trust us!
Same guy who said our baptismal covenant “compels us” to ordain homosexuals. Yeah, right.
It’s beyond misrepresentation, it’s a disconnect. It ignores the contrast between the Christianity handed down and TEC’s view for the future of Christianity and it washes away any consideration of TEC’s (and I’ll add the ACoC because we need to start thinking of what’s happening there, also) responsibility to the Anglican Communion and the church catholic. Perhaps ++Williams plans to have a more in-depth look at TEC’s actions by using a council-like format at the Primates and other meetings he’s announced. One can only hope.
GAFCON “already left”? They represent only 15% of world Anglicans?? To this non-GAFCONite who holds some concerns about that movement, sadly this bishop seems caught in a pretty staggering case of self-delusion.
What percentage of the Anglican Communion is represented by the Gafcon Bishops? It was my impression that it is more than 15% of the Bishops and is actually a majority of the folks who actually come to church (as opposed to those left on the rolls).
What percentage, you ask? Oh, offhand, I’d say approximately 40 million people, or 65%…..give or take maybe a million.
[blockquote]”First, no schism!”[/blockquote]
At least not definition 2a, As Webster defines it
But, 2b:
continues unabated as the actions of those engaging in SSBs proves.
Why is this remarkable? According to reports TEC Bishops were assuring everyone at Lambeth that they had publicly apologized for consecrating GR, that there were no SSBs going on and that it was parishes suing TEC. They totally misrepresent themselves, why not those they disagree with?
Isn’t “misrepresenting” just a nice word for “lying”?
First, who ever said there would be a schism coming out of this Lambeth? That was a strawman set up to be knocked down. Second, if Gafcon has left, as he claims, isn’t that a schism? So how can he claim no schism on the one hand and Gafcon leaving on the other. Third, Gafcon is only 15%? Wrong – based on Steve Waring story above, 32% of bishops did not attend Lambeth and obviously, just taking into account the 4 main provinces who did not attend, at least 40 million of the 70 million Anglicans were not at the conference. Bp Smith is either sadly misinformed or purposefully misleading. Unfortunately, it appears that many reappraising bishops are either sadly misinformed or purposefully misleading their flocks, just like this. And sadly, most pewsitters believe them, just because of the robes they wear and the titles they bear.
And sadly, most pewsitters believe them, just because of the robes they wear and the titles they bear.
How many of these people are innocently unaware? How many are unaware of many of the facts because they don’t really want to hear something that will upset their comfortable church life?
It’s an honest question. I’m simply curious hopw effective being more militant in subvertiing the establish press and lines of communication in order to get information to the average Episcopalian in the pew, or whether that would be a waste of time, good pearls after bad, as it were.
Hey elves, here’s a thought: Since you have my email address, how about throwing me a note why exactly I am in moderation, since I don’t think I said anything extreme. Is it that I have posted too much? Is that a new policy?
Whatever. Heretic.
He may not see that there is a schism, but I am sure that I am not the only Arizonan who has not darkened the door of a local ECUSA parish, having left for other denominations.
The truth is not in him.
There will be no schism in the AC, but there will be in TEC. GAFCON is going to assume control of the Communion within our lifetime, and TEC’s dirty heretics will be defenestrated on that day.
Remarkable? I must disagree. It is altogether predictable that so many bishops would misrepresent people they disagree with. After all, if they can misrepresent God’s Word with no qualms, there is nothing they will not twist or misrepresent.