Thinking Anglicans

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Archbishop Peter Akinola is going to visit Virginia USA. Read all about it in the New York Times where Neela Bannerjee reports Visit by Anglican Bishop Draws Episcopal Anger.

Here is the place where this event will occur.

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church has issued this statement:

“I have only just become aware of the possible visit by the Primate of Nigeria. Unfortunately, my office has not been directly informed of his pending visit, but we will now pursue extending to him a personal invitation to see him while he is in the United States. I regret that he has apparently accepted an invitation to provide episcopal ministry here without any notice or prior invitation. That is not the ancient practice followed in most of the church catholic, which since the fourth century has expected that bishops minister only within their own churches, except by explicit invitation from another bishop with jurisdiction. This action would only serve to heighten current tensions, and would be regrettable if it does indeed occur.”

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Troy
Troy
16 years ago

Don’t you get it KSJ?

Akinola doesn’t consider TEC to be part of the church catholic.

Awdry Ely
16 years ago

For Archbishop Akinola isn’t the question of jurisdiction secondary to his perception of Biblical truth?

Cheryl Clough
16 years ago

Troy

KJS does.

Women are told we should not struggle when we are being raped, as that means we are more likely to be more seriously hurt by our molesters. But there are serial molesters who will hurt you, regardless of whether you struggle or not. At least this way they can’t claim that you consented or enjoyed the experience.

Merseymike
Merseymike
16 years ago

Its not his right to make that decision. Whether he likes it or not, it remains the official Anglican presence in the USA, and what Akinola is doing is flagrantly opposed to Windsor. Still, no surprise there.

Pluralist
16 years ago

So Akinola does not think a great deal to the communiqué which he spent so much time, along with his visitors, to push in his direction. So we can regard this as pretty dead now, which it is anyway, and Akinola will be busy developing schism and dissonance whilst Rowan Williams wishes to listen. Akinola’s actions outside his area could lead to an Anglican Communion that will not recognise Nigeria and a few others doing the same. Similarly Nigeria and the few, as its own form of invasive Anglican Communion, will end up not recognising the Anglican Communion as it… Read more »

John Henry
John Henry
16 years ago

Peter, the egomanic of Abuja, is a “law unto himself.” The reasserters are nothing but cherry-pickers with regard to Holy Scripture and the canons of the Church. Give them enough rope and they are bound to hang themselves. All we can do is pray for them.

PB Katharine Schori is doing the Christian thing, trying to reach out to him.

Nonanglican
Nonanglican
16 years ago

As I’m not Anglican or Episcopalian I may be wrong in understanding there are Episcopal churches in countries in Europe and Latin America which also have other Anglican congregations, so why can’t there be more than one Anglican church in America? I’ve heard that TEC is in 17 countries, is it the only Anglican presence in those countries? And if not, what’s the difference between having different branches in those countries and having more than one branch in the US? Seems the easiest way to solve the current impass.

Hugh of Lincoln
Hugh of Lincoln
16 years ago

Presiding Bishop Katharine is magnanimous. This action by Akinola is a brutal rejection of Anglicanism: it is vile fundamentalism at its core. It places homophobic doctrine above all else to shore up core support.

At least one thing is clear – the Dar Es Salaam communique is torn to shreds. That’s something to be thankful for.

Freedom loving, justice-seeking Episcopalians and Anglicans worldwide, must unite and support TEC against this attack on our shared values. Appeasement will not do anymore. Time to stand up and be counted on this Good Shepherd Sunday.

choirboyfromhell
choirboyfromhell
16 years ago

Interesting, notice that the ceremony is not being held at an Episcopal parish church. I believe the two breakaway parishes in the DC area probably could hold the number of expected “guests” at this consecration.

Like a spoiled and manipulative child, they know just how far to push legally and get attention.

C.B.
C.B.
16 years ago

Lots of speculation in the blogsphere regarding the timing of the Akinola visit (he’s coming to install Minns) with rumors that 5 network dioceses are leaving TEC next week. Anglican Centrist openly speculates they will join CANA, while Mark Harris infers it. ON the other hand, some think they may go over to the RCC. These are interesting times, indeed.

Curtis
Curtis
16 years ago

I’m surprised and pleased that the conservatives are the minority that they are here in the states. They’re an annoyance, but they aren’t winning an exodus of the disgruntled. +Katharine’s statement about them is exactly right.

Cynthia Gilliatt
Cynthia Gilliatt
16 years ago

You know, this is pretty basic stuff, going back to Nicea. One bishop, one diocese. One primate, one province.

Will the ABC speak a word about this? Or is he too busy planning his next book and his vacation? Inquiring minds want to know.

Inquiring minds also want to know what he would say or do if ++Akinola decides to establish a similar venture in – GASP! – England?

Merseymike
Merseymike
16 years ago

Hugh – absolutely right. And where are those cowardly liberal Bishops whop should be speaking out loud and strong and who have been Trappist-like in their silence?

cryptogram
cryptogram
16 years ago

Cynthia asks: Inquiring minds also want to know what he would say or do if ++Akinola decides to establish a similar venture in – GASP! – England?

The most he could do would be to issue an inhibition. And what do you imagine the effect of that would be? (clue: it begins with z…)

Pluralist
16 years ago

There is indeed an argument for more than one Anglican Church in each place – and it looks like it is going that way. It is also the implication of the failure of Rowan Williams’ approach to Communion unity. It may well be that all those splinter Churches not in association with Canterbury will find themselves a network. The upshot is, to this, that those who have moderate and liberal views have their institutions too – and may need to develop as such. Even with Nigeria running around like some invading force, at least there is an identity with TEC… Read more »

choirboyfromhell
choirboyfromhell
16 years ago

Nonanglican:

Good question, I suspect (but do not know for sure) that this may have been done for expatriates. In Paris there are both CofE and Episcopal parishes.

One thing though is clear, the leadership of these parallel parishes probably arrived at some acceptable agreement before establishing their respective presences. And the properties were a part of an existing Anglican denomination beforehand, which wasn’t the case in Paris. This isn’t true with in Virginia now however.

Any input would be welcomed, as I’m wondering how this can be also.

dmitri
dmitri
16 years ago

Let him come and draw under his wing all those who really think the rejection of gays is the most important article of faith. Once they feel safely free of gaydom they will probably discover that they can’t agree on much else and will splinter on other lines. We will have multiple Anglican presences in NOrth America. That’s not a disaster. The Amia and the continuum have not caused the sky to fall yet. It only remains to be seen which if any of us will still be talking to Canterbury in a year or two. All I hope. On… Read more »

Awdry Ely
16 years ago

I can see that Archbishop Akinola’s action causes difficulties. It is important to articulate clearly disappoint at his actions – and I’m not sure the Presiding Bishop does that. However, I also have to say personally I’m uneasy with words like egomaniac, brutal and vile, being thrown around.

Lapinbizarre
Lapinbizarre
16 years ago

On the bright side, this is a big step towards making a nonsense of demands that TEC be “Windsor Compliant”; on the downside, Windsor was only ever of use to these folks as a stick with which to beat those who they intended, in any case, to destroy, so where’s the difference? Maybe to those branches of the Church that have hesitated thus far to openly support TEC for fear of accusations of “tearing the fabric”.

Remind me again, who is it who’s tearing at the fabric?

Jeff
Jeff
16 years ago

This latest move from Archbishop Akinola reveals ever more clearly what he wants. To be the leader of the Anglican Communion, with Papal powers to do what he likes when and where.

ruidh
ruidh
16 years ago

“”Good question, I suspect (but do not know for sure) that this may have been done for expatriates. In Paris there are both CofE and Episcopal parishes.”

Yes, these parishes are chaplaincies for expatriates. Bishop Whalon, suffragan bishop for the convocation of TEC parishes in Europe wrote a comment recently on TA discussing the arrangement.

This not at all the same thing as two provinces claiming to minister to the same territory while being out of communion with one another. See the last comment here http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/002169.html

Leonardo Ricardo
Leonardo Ricardo
16 years ago

His Grace Akinola is full of behind-the-scenes destructive religious nonsense and Tanzania and Virginia are NOT the only examples of his sneaky/pushy and despoticlike escapdes:

*Why spare England?
*Gay’s Produce Hooligans!

http://frjakestopstheworld.blogspot.com/2005_09_01_archive.html

http://frjakestopstheworld.blogspot.com/2005/09/archbishop-akinola-gays-produce.html

Cheryl Clough
16 years ago

KJS and the US church might want to take a leaf out of Castro’s book. If you want to leave, fine. Just don’t take the established church’s resources with you. If they have sufficient trust in God, they don’t need human booty anyway, as God will provide for them. The other good thing is that having clearly defined who their Jesus is and who is covered by their Jesus, we don’t have to worry about it being the real Jesus. Their Lord is only interested in the salvation of their congregations, and is thus not the Lord promised to all… Read more »

EPH
EPH
16 years ago

For John Henry Yes, +Akinola is a law unto himself. Unlike the pope, either de jure or de facto, he has absolute control over the entire episcopacy of Nigeria, and through it, its priests. Here is the oath that Nigerian bishops take: “3. OATH OF OBEDIENCE At his consecration or translation, every Bishop of the Church of Nigeria shall swear an oath of Canonical obedience to the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria and to his lawful successors.” Any bishop who acts or teaches or exegetes a text in a manner with which +Akinola disagrees can be… Read more »

Cynthia Gilliatt
Cynthia Gilliatt
16 years ago

“If you want to leave, fine. Just don’t take the established church’s resources with you. If they have sufficient trust in God, they don’t need human booty anyway, as God will provide for them.” The N. Va gang not only are trying to take the booty, but they are squatting in the property the Diocese of VA holds in trust for TEC. This is under litigation. This is also probably why next Saturday’s festivities will be held at a hired hall. I expect lawyers on both sides agreed to this. Interestingly, there has so far been no story about this… Read more »

NP
NP
16 years ago

Don’t get your knickers in a twist, chaps!
I am sure ++Akinola has cleared the trip with the ABC.

The AC Primates are dealing with TEC and this trip is part of that process.

Merseymike
Merseymike
16 years ago

Oh, so the ABC doesn’t believe in the Windsor report’s recommendations either?

Ford Elms
Ford Elms
16 years ago

“I am sure ++Akinola has cleared the trip with the ABC.”

Based on what? The same source that assures you +Duncan of Pittsburgh has had dialogue with gay people? Besides, the Bishop of Canturbery hath no jurisdiction in that (well, that) realm of America.

Göran Koch-Swahne
16 years ago

Epifiz quoted the Nigerian canons:
“3. OATH OF OBEDIENCE
At his consecration or translation, every Bishop of the Church of Nigeria shall swear an oath of Canonical obedience to the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria and to his lawful successors.”

As “the Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria” at any point in Time refers to the present Archbishop, I wonder at “his lawful successors”.

I believe “his lawful successors” generally refers to what is otherwise known as “the heirs of his body” ;=)

Shouldn’t it read his “designated” successors?

NP
NP
16 years ago

No Merseymike, TEC rejected TWR and now the AC is dealing with TEC – hoping for repentance before Sep 30th but taking steps to prepare for life after TEC walks away

C.B.
C.B.
16 years ago

NP -Really. What will you say when it becomes clear that it was NOT cleared with anyone? Akinola makes the ABC look like he’s a fool’s errand, and a fool for going on it. I would bet the Virginia church property the ABC did not “clear” this trip to install Minns. And let’s see if any dioceses jump to CANA next week. But I supposed he “cleared” that with the ABC too!

James Crocker
James Crocker
16 years ago

EPH: I have to point out that all D.D.’s are honourary degrees. It is one of the highest possible honours. Cynthia: ‘You know, this is pretty basic stuff, going back to Nicea. One bishop, one diocese. One primate, one province.’ Last time I was home I went to see Martyn and asked him this question directly. His response was quite simple. It is basic stuff, and in an ideal world, that’s how it would be, but we don’t live in an ideal world. He pointed out that the Peter Lee calls himself the bishop of Virginia even though there is… Read more »

Leonardo Ricardo
Leonardo Ricardo
16 years ago

“The AC Primates are dealing with TEC and this trip is part of that process” NP

NP, please keep your witchcraft projecting chants to yourself…repeating your special “insights” won’t work.

C.B.
C.B.
16 years ago

James – It is quite clear what Akinola’s rationale is for doing as he pleases. But oddly, the Tanzania Communique was utterly silent as to the apostasy of TEC. Rather, it focused only on TEC’s teaching with respect to homosexuality. He seems to be able to decide for himself at any point whether another province is apostate, thus giving himself complete authority to abide or not abide by AC polity with respect to that province. I hope Minns made that clear and simple as well.

Cynthia Gilliatt
Cynthia Gilliatt
16 years ago

“Last time I was home I went to see Martyn and asked him this question directly. His response was quite simple. It is basic stuff, and in an ideal world, that’s how it would be, but we don’t live in an ideal world. He pointed out that the Peter Lee calls himself the bishop of Virginia even though there is a Roman Catholic Bishop down the street from him.” And if the RC Bishop of that diocese claimed to be the Anglican Presence in the US he would just as wrong as Akinola and others. Same if the bishops of… Read more »

Jerry Hannon
Jerry Hannon
16 years ago

“The AC Primates are dealing with TEC and this trip is part of that process” NP Perhaps NP believes this. Or, perhaps he/she has fallen for the propaganda put out by those trying to destroy any part of Anglicanism that differs from their narrowly contrived views. “A lie told often enough becomes truth.” – Vladimir Lenin “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” – Joseph Goebbels The majority of the Church of England, ultimately, will not surrender to bullies and liars, regardless of the numbers of parishioners they claim… Read more »

Robert Ian Williams
Robert Ian Williams
16 years ago

I would venture to guess that not 0.01 per cent of the CANA faithful would like to live in Nigeria. If they did they would be less enthusiastic about the Church they now belong to. When I was growing up, my parents taught me many wise things. One was, a fool will spend your money, if you let them. The massive legal bills will not be coming out of the coffers of the Anglican Church of Nigeria or Bishop Minns. On my desk calendar the other day the motto was Stubborn people make lawyers wealthy. Oh that I was a… Read more »

NP
NP
16 years ago

CB / Leonard – and what will you say when ++Akinola is not censured.

You are aware of TWR, Dromatine, Tanzania – right? (I am not making up what I think the ABC is doing, just looking at his actions which speak louder than your words)

James Crocker
James Crocker
16 years ago

Cynthia,

Akinola does not claim to be the authentic TEC presence in the USA, nor does Martyn. They claim to be an authentic Anglican Nigerian presence, which they are.

Lois Keen
Lois Keen
16 years ago

With regard to Bp. Minns on there being two Bishops of Virginia, one RC the other TEC, thus giving precedent for a Bishop for Nigeria in Virginia: which came first in the Colony of Virginia – the Church of England, which became the Episcopal church after the revolution, or the Church of Rome in Virginia? Not that it matters. Whichever came second did not do so while taking away the assets of the other. To NP, I regret I do not read your posts, for my soul’s sake, except by accident when they are quoted in the ripostes of others.… Read more »

Burl
16 years ago

Regarding Bp. Minns remark that Peter Lee calls himself Bishop of Virginia while a Roman Catholic bishop is just down the street – the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia predates any RC presence in the Old Dominion, the prelate down the street is The Bishop of Richmond not the Bishop of Virginia (there is another RC diocese whose see is Alexandria) and Peter Lee doesn’t claim to be the bishop of the Roman Catholics in Virginia nor bishop of the many Eastern Christians there either. Surely Bp. Minns doesn’t claim to be the Episcopal Bishop of Virginia? to my knowledge he… Read more »

John Robison
John Robison
16 years ago

NP – What you fail to grasp is that there are two rules, one for ++Akinola the Donitist claimjumper, one for the rest of us.

TWR became a dead letter upon it’s publication since it was aplied only to TEC. ++Akinola has refused to engae in the conversation in Lambet 1:10, and has ignored anything that might be an act of censure in any document since. If membership in the AC means living with hypocritical, mean spirited and childish actions like ++Akinola’s I think we will be better off outside of it.

Kurt
Kurt
16 years ago

Who was first in Virginia? In June 1526, Lucas Vasques de Ayllon entered the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, which he named Madre de las Aguas (‘Mother of Waters), and ascending the Guandape (James River) landed at a place he called St. -Michael. With him were Father Antonio de Cervantes and Brother Peter de Estrada, all being of the order of St. Dominic. He established a colony which lasted less than a year. No further Spanish attempt at colonization was made until 1570, when Menendez, Governor of Florida, fitted out an expedition headed by Fathers Segura and Louis Quiros. The expedition… Read more »

Cynthia Gilliatt
Cynthia Gilliatt
16 years ago

“Akinola does not claim to be the authentic TEC presence in the USA, nor does Martyn. They claim to be an authentic Anglican Nigerian presence, which they are.” I rather suspect that if the RC Bishop of the Diocese of Richmond were confronted with an African RC Archbishop setting up shop in his diocese the response would not be a welcomong one. My understanding is that Akinola and his folllowers claim that TEC is not longer ‘really’ part of the Anglican Communion, but they, CANA, are. That at least is how they have pitched things They only await the Wuss… Read more »

Mynsterpreost (=David Rowett)
Mynsterpreost (=David Rowett)
16 years ago

Having read an article on Nigeria in today’s Education Guardian, I do wonder that ++Abuja hasn’t got more pressing demands at home….

[SS adds]
The article is here
http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,2068752,00.html

Ford Elms
Ford Elms
16 years ago

“I do wonder that ++Abuja hasn’t got more pressing demands at home….”
What could possibly be more important than avenging the horrors of the colonialist past? Or am I the only one who sees a thread of this in the machinations of My Lord of Abuja? Am I just being petty? Don’t forget, he has said human sauffering is not important.

Erika Baker
Erika Baker
16 years ago

Ford,
did he really say that human suffering is not important?
And I thought nothing that man says could still shock me.

JPM
JPM
16 years ago

Erika, here’s the full quote:

“I didn’t create poverty. This church didn’t create poverty. Poverty is not an issue, human suffering is not an issue at all, they were there before the creation of mankind.”

This doesn’t resemble any kind of Christianity I have ever heard of.

Erika Baker
Erika Baker
16 years ago

Thanks, Ford.
Human suffering was there before the creation of mankind – the mind boggles!

Cynthia
Cynthia
16 years ago

“On my desk calendar the other day the motto was Stubborn people make lawyers wealthy. Oh that I was a lawyer in Virginia.” Someone has emailed me that ENS reports developments in South Carolina. Am in the midst of final exams, so hope someone else can find a link and post the article. Here’s the gist: Evidently a lower court in South Carolina has ruled against the usurpers on Pawley’s Island who think they are Rwandans and for the vestry that remained loyal to TEC and that holds the property in trust for TEC. Doubtless this will be appealed, but… Read more »

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