Tim Morgan: Christianity Today. Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori released a statement 1 hr ago about TEC being the only recognized Anglican province in North America. Is the goal of this new enterprise to replace TEC or form a parallel structure?
Bp. Duncan: The Lord has been replacing TEC for 50 years. 2007 figures show losses of more than 1000 people a week in Average Sunday attendance. We will focus on our mission together. We are growing and planting new organizations of authentic Christian presence in US and Canada. Issue of who is the province here is not ours to determine. TEC is province now recognized. Of 38 provinces, 22 have declared broken or impaired communion with TEC. That’s roughly 75% of Anglicans around the world that are out of communion with TEC. Our anticipation is that the primates will recognize this province. One is official reality the other emerging reality. It is not ours to determine. The Lord called us to this work He blesses what he blesses. Standing where we stand, we expect a different result than our recent experiences in Anglican Church of Canada and TEC.
It is very important that you take the time to read it all carefully.
Well, it seems pretty humble and constructive in spirit. No hyped claims or vituperation. Promising.
Cherie Wetzel has done a great service to all for her work here … thank you.
Yes, thanks, Mrs. Wetzel, very much!
Despite some deep reservations about how two theologies of the Sacrament of Holy Orders can (for long) co-exist within a single province, I am moved and encouraged by the focus on Christ and the respectful reticence over the jurisdictional and juridical questions which reporters are bound to keep asking.
May all concerned keep taking Christ heavily serious, and ourselves lightly!
I join journalist George Conger in expressing my appreciation and thanks for the remarkable, almost verbatim report from Ms. Wetzel. I’m no where near fast enough at recording what people say to do that.
My favorite came right at the end, when Cynthia Brust got in the last word. “The Anglican Communion has been fractured for some time. Today is the day the Anglican Communion began to be healed.”
Now that’s a downright inspiring and hopeful vision.
David Handy+