Posted on 10/23/2003 3:24:11 PM PDT by ahadams2
Church of England to debate ECUSA links
Number: 5689 Date: Oct 23, 2003
The Church of England looks set to decide its future relationship with the American Church if the consecration of a practising homosexual goes ahead.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, last week made plain his opposition to Canon Gene Robinson becoming a bishop, as he is gravely concerned that independent action by ECUSA would tear the Anglican Communion apart.
While it is clear that the Archbishop would be deeply upset and angered if his pleas for unity are ignored, he said that he does not have the power to determine how the Church of England would respond by himself.
He stressed that Canon Robinson, who moved in with his boyfriend after splitting from his wife, would not have his ministry recognised in this country and so would be unable to obtain a licence, but any formal censure of the American Church must be made corporately.
The Primates agreed to the setting-up of a Commission to consider the theological and legal implications of the sexuality crisis, and to clarify the Archbishop’s own role in maintaining with and between provinces, but it is likely that conservatives would want some form of reprimand sooner.
Gene Robinson’s likely consecration was discussed among the English bishops earlier this month, and Dr Williams will seek further consultation with the House of Bishops before the subject is debated at the General Synod.
While the gay canon would not be allowed to minister in this country, a change would be needed in the Church of England’s constitution if it were to formalise a realignment, distancing itself from the Episcopal Church of the USA. Any change would have legal implications for future relations between the two Churches, but it is hoped that by February there may be some shape emerging from the commission, a leading Synod member said.
He said that it was inconceivable that General Synod would ignore developments in America. “The Church of England will inevitably have to decide whether it stands with America or not.”
Canon Robinson has said that he would be willing to meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury over his consecration, and conceded that he would take very seriously a request for him to stand down. “I would take that very seriously because he is our spiritual leader and I will listen to him very carefully to him, and then I will pray about it. So I cannot tell you what the result would be.”
Yet he remains adamant that it is God’s calling for him to be made a bishop and his diocese remains fully supportive of him. The Synod insider said that another alternative to Synod would be for a Private member’s motion to demand a rebuke, but conceded that the members would be divided over the issue.
The outcome of the emergency Primates' meeting received wide support from groups opposing the planned consecration of the divorced, gay Canon, Gene Robinson, as Bishop of New Hampshire next month.
The post-NEAC4 pressure group, Fulcrum, said praised the “holding job” pulled off by the 38 Primates over two days last week.
“It is right that the Primates sounded a note of censure of the Episcopal Church USA. The American Church clearly acted in the face of a call by the Primates not to take unilateral action on an issue that is divisive for Anglicans globally. Their action reflects in its own way an unhelpful American tendency to unilateral action in world affairs.”
Anglican Mainstream International responded to the Primates’ Statement by stressing the urgency of the provision for Episcopal oversight of dissenting minorities in the Diocese of New Westminster and the Episcopal Church (USA).
They emphasised the warning given to ECUSA if it were to consecrate Canon Robinson, saying, “We note the serious warning given to ECUSA… (that) the ministry of this bishop would not be recognised by most of the Anglican world.”
The American Anglican Council (AAC) rebuked ECUSA over the decision of its General Convention to give consent to the election of Canon Gene Robinson in the first place be welcomed the Primates’ stern words.
“ECUSA has now been put on notice – with warnings. We are grateful for this action and applaud the mainstream Anglican Primates for boldly standing firm for the Gospel,” according to the Rev Canon David Anderson, AAC president.
They also welcomed the Primates’ call for a commission tasked with assessing ways to handle the “dangers” identified at the meeting. “This commission represents the beginning of the development of a mechanism for discipline within the Anglican Communion,” Canon Anderson said.
The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) lamented the proposed commission, given a deadline of 12 months.
“This (commission) changes the future of the Church,” the Rev Martin Reynolds said last week. “The structure of the Church will change and become less fluid in its approach to doctrine and order.” Mr Reynolds said that, though the debate seems to centre on homosexuality at the moment, tighter control over provinces would also be used to quell moves within the Sydney diocese to allow lay people to celebrate the Eucharist.
I had not heard of Anglican Mainstream International before, but it's in my directory now.
The membership list is interesting.
Rip van Eala *\:-|
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