Jim Naughton has had further thoughts since yesterday, see Hmm. Maybe this is what I was missing. Read it all, but here are some quotes:
I think Dr. Williams release yesterday of a reflection on the future of the Anglican Communion, and his outlining of a two-tiered membership system was intended to head all of this off. Obviously it didn’t…
…This isn’t what good faith looks like.
This game may be played at levels I can’t discern, but I can’t imagine that Rowan Williams welcomes this initiative. Thirty-six hours ago, he laid out a comprehensive plan to re-form the government of the communion. This evening, despite media reports that they were ‘elated’ with his proposal, American conservatives have attempted to undermine it by issuing a very public appeal for Williams to insert himself into the internal affairs of a member province without that province”s consent. That can’t be the manner in which he hoped this process would begin. But I don’t know whether it is his way to voice the displeasure he might be feeling…
…In addition to undermining Williams’ efforts to achieve ‘the highest degree of communion possible despite our differences,’ the concerted actions undertaken today also present a challenge to the Episcopal Church. The primary question being: should we respond in kind? There are ample grounds for presentments against any number of prominent conservatives, but it strikes me that Bishop Duncan in particular is eager to be presented, and that pursuing a presentment simply hands him a bigger megaphone.
On the other hand, there are parishes in the dioceses seeking alternate oversight that want to remain loyal to the Episcopal Church. (I am most familiar with the numbers in Pittsburgh where about 12 or 13 parishes, including some large ones, have opted out of Duncan’s conservative Network.) How much longer do we allow these folks to languish? How do we assure their continuing membership in the Episcopal Church under Episcopal Church leadership as their dioceses pursue separation?…
Fr Jake has a rather different view, see ABC Gives Green Light, and They’re Off! The blog comments are also interesting. Again some quotes:
It appears that Archbishop Akinola, not satified with the Kingdom of Nigeria, has moved into the greener pastures of North America. His henchman on this shore will be none other than Marty Minns, formerly rector in Truro, Va., and well known extremist.
And so the plan, revealed to us some years ago, finally comes to fruition, only one day after the Archbishop of Canterbury issued a statement that was interpreted as giving the extremists a nod of approval for launching their plan…
…Well, now we have Marty Minns elected as Bishop of this attempted end run around the Windsor Report. The absurd thing is that those bishops begging for ALPO (Alternative Primatial Oversight) which are currently Fort Worth, South Carolina, Pittsburgh and San Joaquin, fancy themselves as “Windsor Bishops.” How much you want to bet the Primate they ask for is Peter Akinola? And then, of course, they will eventually attempt to move their entire diocese over to CANA, where their bud Marty will be waiting for them.
Thank you, Dr. Williams, for giving the green light for this drag race to destruction to commence. And please don’t act surprised; the plan has been quite clear, easily accessible to everyone, for many years now.
Or maybe neither of these is correct.
Interesting. Liberals arrogate to themselves the right to go ahead and do things when they’re dissatisfied with the speed of the “process” or don’t think enough “progress” is being made fast enough towards their particular goals–taking VGs ordination as an example. However, they seem particularly incensed when traditionalists do the same thing. Curious, but not unexpected–liberals typically show a lot of double-mindedness in such areas. Which is not to say that I’m in favor of the calls for APO–I’m still thinking about that–just pointing out the usual liberal double-think. I.e., when liberals do it, ITS AN EXAMPLE OF PROPHETIC RIGHTEOUSNESS… Read more »
In the bad old days they would have gotten these guys for committing the crime of praemunire which provided that if someone went overseas to invoke the jurisdiction of a foreign bishop [in those days, Rome, of course] that the one accused “and his notaries, abettors and counsellors” should be put out of the king’s protection, and their lands escheat.
Eh?
Its the conservatives who have been showing double-standards all the way along the line – and using typically bullying tactics.
Still, given that clearly neither Jensen nor Akinola are willing to wait for this process to evolve, I expect a much swifter split. The sooner, the better.
“In the bad old days they would have gotten these guys for committing the crime of praemunire which provided that if someone went overseas to invoke the jurisdiction of a foreign bishop [in those days, Rome, of course] that the one accused “and his notaries, abettors and counsellors” should be put out of the king’s protection, and their lands escheat.” Oh how cool! I haven’t heard the term nor thought about praemunire since taking a course in the development of English law and constitional development in my second year of college! I wish I could tell my wonderful professor about… Read more »
Steven, +VGR was a priest of the Episcopal Church in good standing. His election followed the canons of the diocese of NH and TEC. Bishops aren’t appointed in the US. Dioceses (including clergy and lay representatives from each congregation) are able to choose their bishop. The Episcopal Church had sought to engage the communion around the human sexuality conversation bringing it again and again to Lambeth, the ACC, etc. In other words, +VGR’s ordination wasn’t a liberal conspiracy to throw the communion into chaos. It was TEC following it’s rules about our common life. At the end of the day,… Read more »
How many conservative bishops have seized the church buildings of their dissenting liberal parishes, and deposed their clergy for “leaving the Communion”?
The bullying – and there is plenty – is all too evident in the actions of liberal dioceses in N America.
No doubt MM will claim that the liberal bishops are the victims (yet again) of some highly cunning orthodox plan?
Alan Marsh wrote,
“How many conservative bishops have seized the church buildings of their dissenting liberal parishes, and deposed their clergy for “leaving the Communion”?
The case of the rector in Grace Cathedral, Milwaukee comes immediately to mind. There the very conservative bishop has deposed a liberal rector and tried to set up a kangaroo court with his own chaplian as presiding judge. If you link over to Anglicans Online you will find all the information.
How can you seize something that legally belongs to you? I let my son use my car while he is in college, it is “his” car. But the title is in my name and I would have legal liability if he used it imprperly. example: drug dealing. If I felt he was using the car in a way contrary to my wishes would I be seizing his car if I took it back?
Dear Joe, Now that there is a clear distinction between ECUSA and AC beliefs and ethics, I hope that ECUSA can bring itself to recognise the legitimacy of dissenters who wish to remain Anglican – and think harder about how they treat them!
Dear Dave,
The Episcopal Church has signed onto the covenant process while the schismatics….well what? They are schismatics. No AC belief and ethic there.
RMF,
I took up your invitation to check out Grace Cathedral, Milwaukee, on Anglicans Online, but apart from the text of the Bishop’s bizarre inhibition of the Rector and the Associate Rector, there is no indication what it is all about. There is no suggestion that the Bishop has seized the cathedral, changed the locks and removed the Vestry.
Do you know what the charges are?
Thankfully something like this could not happen in England.