A stunning victory for conservative Episcopalians
Posted February 19, 2007
After briefly skimming the final documents, it appears Anglican conservatives decisively triumphed over Episcopal liberals at the primates summit in Tanzania.
There's no "Anglican fudge" here. There will be shock and outrage in many liberal circles once the primates' communique is read and digested. There will also be calls -- by some in the church's progressive wing and even from some bishops -- for the Episcopal Church to walk apart from the Anglican communion.
In the communique, the primates "deeply regret a lack of clarity" about the Episcopal Church's response to the Windsor Report.
In the communique, the primates call on the House of Bishops to "make an unequivocal common covenant that the bishops will not authorise any Rite of Blessing for same-sex unions in their dioceses or through General Convention (cf TWR, §143, 144); and 2. confirm that the passing of Resolution B033 of the 75th General Convention means that a candidate for episcopal orders living in a same-sex union shall not receive the necessary consent (cf TWR, §134); unless some new consensus on these matters emerges across the Communion (cf TWR, §134). The Primates request that the answer of the House of Bishops is conveyed to the Primates by the Presiding Bishop by 30th September 2007. If the reassurances requested of the House of Bishops cannot in good conscience be given, the relationship between The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion as a whole remains damaged at best, and this has consequences for the full participation of the Church in the life of the Communion."
It's not clear that such a covenant will ever gain a majority vote in the House of Bishops.
There are other key provisions in this report. It calls for both sides to call off the lawyers. Essentially, the Episcopal Church must put its lawsuits against conservative parishes on hold and conservatives must stop their own legal maneuvers.
In addition, the presiding bishop has apparently agreed to consent to the appointment of a primatial vicar to work with "individuals, congregations and clergy, who in the current situation, feel unable to accept the direct ministry of their bishop or of the Presiding Bishop."
Apparently, there will be a safe haven created for American conservatives -- with the presiding bishop's consent.
The Episcopal News Service is reporting that presiding bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori spoke positively about the summit and the "positive sense of collegiality" she says she encountered there. She suggested the "intense listening" of the past week will continue.
"There is awareness that these issues are of concern in many Provinces of the Communion, and that the Episcopal Church's charism is to continue to encourage the discussion," Jefferts Schori said. Episcopal News Service reported Jefferts Schori "will offer additional comment after further reflection and her nearly 20-hour journey back to New York."
Once the plane reaches the tarmac at LaGuardia or JFK, Jefferts Schori will likely have to do more "intense listening." Liberal Episcopalians who feel betrayed by the primates -- and perhaps by the presiding bishop herself -- will want to be sure their voices are heard.
Question of the day: Will the Episcopal Church agree to the primates' demands? Also -- Will the American church be tossed out of the Anglican communion? Or will it declare independence and walk away.
Update: Integrity USA President Susan Russell, who works for full-inclusion and acceptance of gay Christians in the church, says on her blog that she's already hearing from Episcopalians who feel betrayed:
My email inbox is full of messages that start, "How could she ..." and "What does this mean ..." and "Why would I stay in a church that ..." And at the moment, I don't have a single answer for a single one of them.
Comments
"Will the Episcopal Church agree to the primates' demands?"
No.
"Will the American church be tossed out of the Anglican communion?"
No.
"Or will it declare independence and walk away."
No.
Like I posted at Linscott's blog, here's a suggestion. Put this news item in your digital tickler file with a September 30, 2007 tag on it.
When it pops up in a few months, compare Gledhill's breathless report with what's actually true. Then, and only then, will you appreciate the wonder of Anglican Fudge.
Frank, I score it a little differently than you, along the lines of Fr. Bill.
I have made the point in a number of posts that the real canon law problem here is the African bishops' fishing in an American pond. That has been dealt with favorably, in my view, to the majority church. Everyone will make a big deal out of the fact that a vicar will be appointed as, I take it, a kind of shadow presiding bishop for the conservatives.
But this is not far from the true situation now. In at least one case, an american bishop brought in an outside bishop to perform ceremonial duties in parishes that disagreed with the diocesan bishop's policies. The creation of a position of vicar merely sets the process in stone and regulates it. And I think it will work fine; Episcopalians are good at compromise.
The other thing it does is put Akinola and his fellow conservatives out of business. The creation of the vicar position means no more American parishes under African bishops.
These folks obviously realize that if you give problems enough time, they will work themselves out. Thirty years ago, the Church of England wasn't thrilled with the American church's decision to ordain women. This crisis has passed totally, and seems an anachronism. Given time, this one will, too.
Trust me, the Global South Primates have no appetite for fudge. Schori has a hard sell ahead. The gay activists who manipulate The Episcopal Church aren't packing up and going home. They won't cease their same sex blessings and ordinations of non-celibate homosexuals. It is their obsession and they will never give it up. TEC's leadership may attempt to fudge, but this time it can't. The Primates' expectations are very clear and there is a short deadline. TEC looks like a dead branch that is about to be pruned.
Wishful thinking there, maybe, Alice? I have a bit of wishful thinking too, since I don't think anybody has brought it up yet on the blog....here's wishing everyone a blessed Ash Wednesday and Lenten season. Now how many of us are gonna give up arguing our favorite points for Lent?;)
Tell them to repent of their unbelief by putting their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, and repent of their hatred of God by submitting to the Bible as His rule of faith.