The Archbishop of Canterbury’s letter said the Lambeth Conference had “”¦no appetite for revising Resolution 1.10 of Lambeth 1998” ”“ the resolution that this very same diocese [of New Westminster] unilaterally defied by proceeding with same sex blessings only a few short years after this Resolution was passed. And, despite repeated affirmations by the Primates of the Communion’s position on this matter and calls for repentance, the diocese has continued to disregard these calls. Instead, the Diocese seeks to evict all clergy and congregations who wish to remain faithful to Lambeth Resolution 1.10 ”“ and historic Christian doctrine.
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s letter said the Conference showed “”¦much support for the idea of a ”˜Pastoral Forum’ as a means of addressing present and future tensions”¦” Last week’s action by the Diocese of New Westminster shows yet again that unless this Pastoral Forum provides immediate, equal or greater protection from such dioceses there can be no reasonable expectation of adequate safety. This is even more significant given the stated objective of the Pastoral Forum is to build trust.
These hostile actions by the diocese once again underscore the non-equivalency of the three moratoria called for by the Windsor Continuation Group. The causal relationship behind these actions must be acknowledged and the remedy adjusted appropriately. It is the actions by the Anglican Church of Canada and its dioceses as well as by the Episcopal Church that are causing faithful parishes to flee to safety. These must be addressed and the breaches of trust repaired before provincial incursions can possibly cease let alone be reversed.
The unwillingness of the revisionist provinces and dioceses to accept the repeated offers of negotiation and mediation shows a commitment to power and property above reconciliation. While the aggressive hostile assaults and litigation continues, trust cannot be restored.
Trust is earned. Even if the same-sex blessings and litigation stopped, there would be no trust. These people have abandoned the teachings of Holy Scriptures for a host of reasons, and there is nothing NOTHING short of full repentance (which they have repeatedly said they have no intention doing) that could restore unity and trust.
Thanks + Don for this letter. It had to be written, and I think is spot on.
The sad reality is that this letter will be filed by the ABC with all the other communications of the last seven years, in the recycle bin, where Lambeth 1:10, the primates’ communiques, Gafcon statements and the like may all be found.
What is sadder is that in their place, Lambeth Indaba babble can be found on the desk of the ABC next to the invitation list which included, against all reason, the current bishop of New Westminster, Mr. Ingham, the man who started the fire we are all enduring, who continues same sex blessings in his diocese (which by the way, I hear there have only been 15 TOTAL, and this in Vancouver, since 2001!!!), who is dragging his former parishes through secular courts, and who is allowing Peter Elliot, himself a practicing homosexual, to be dean of the cathedral, and act as his commissary (acting Bishop) in his absence.
In a way, it is unfortunate that it is necessary to point out the obvious to someone as studious and intelligent as the Archbishop of Canterbury. But Bishop Harvey has put the matter on the table in a forthright and generous manner, and one can only hope and pray that his voice is heard by ++Rowan and the other primates of the Communion.
One does hope that the release of this over the internet is accompanied my a mailing of “hard copies” to the ABC and primates. It seems in recent years that it has become all too common for such letters to be released to the media, and for the presumed addressees to learn of them only long after the fact. In this case, one hopes also to see a published reply from the ABoC and other primates.
TJ
#3 TJ
“In this case, one hopes also to see a published reply from the ABoC and other primates”
I wonder what the likelyhood is of any letter from Lambeth Palace ever making it to the postbox?
#4- PM- I believe ++Rowan is still behind in his mail, at least the letters to the 263 bishops who declined their Lambeth invites. Actually, one thinks that good taste would demand that he also send letters to the bishops (such as Bishop Harvey) that he should have invited and did not. He might also issue one to Mr. Ingham and Mr. Chane and others who seem in such a hurry to destroy his planned moratoria.
And let us not forget that he really should respond to the good fellows at ACI on whether he intends to call the meeting that they suggested before the end of September.
I am sure he is quite aware of all this, and hardly needs reminders from yours truly. No doubt things are a bit behind at Lambeth, due to the post Lambeth vacation schedule.
#6 TJ Indeed. So many letters to write, so many typewriter ribbons to change, so many stamps to lick; and then there is waiting for the stagecoach to pick them up.
btw I haven’t forgotten about the proposed meeting by the end of September but think it was Covenant rather than ACI who proposed it? Although increasingly Covenant, ACI and Fulcrum seem much of a muchness, and I see members of one popping up on each others sites and conferences. Nice they are all getting on so well.