"He painted the “strange, motley crew named CANA” as a diverse grouping of churches with only a in common. "

No, their unity isn't based on a “commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior”, since they had in TEC. It must be based on something else, now what might that be? Ordination of women? No, the cracks are already beginning to develop in that area. Sacramental theology? No. Liturgical praxis? Hardly. So, if not Jesus, not orders, not praxis or theology, whatever could it be that unifies them, I wonder?

I am sure there will be continuing splits as what unites them is far more what they are against than what they are for....

"Minns added, “I am fully aware that this is a topic of concern for many clergy and congregations throughout CANA and one that produces intense reactions.” He said he’s appointed a task force to study the matter from the standpoint of what he called “two integrities” of the issue..."

Sounds like a case of "out of the pot and into the frying pan." It will be interesting to see how many women find Bishop Robinson of greater importance than their own integrity and self worth.

I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of "I told you so" going around.

Backpedaling on women now? I wonder if they'll bring back the burning of heretics next.

As a rhyming story, I recall Akinola's reluctance to attend Lambeth reportedly based on his fear that he could not be protected adequately from protestors -- a regrettable lack of spine and an disturbing unwillingness to witness for his convictions. I wonder what St. Stephen and other martyrs thought as they were asked to witness with their lives?

'CANA split on issue of women priests'

I laughed so much my sides formed a new denomination.

Anybody know how many women priests are currently serving in congregations that have joined CANA - or were doing so just before that?
Columba Gilliss

I wonder how the Duncan Women will feel about renouncing their vows. Personally I think that's why Duncan hasn't jumped on the Southern Cone ship and I wonder if privately Duncan doesn't really loathe Akinola. I've heard Pittsburgh Canon Missioner, Mary Hays has said she'd take off her collar and renounce her vows for the good of the orthodox.

At a district meeting in the diocese of Pittsburgh, on of the Fifna bishops to be, got up and stated that he didn't recognize the one one priest who was in attendance. Did say she was a lovely lady but no priest.

It's ashame that these women have to choose between their vows and Gene Robinson instead of seeing that we all can't and don't walk, talk, think or look alike or are sexuallly oriented the same. The world isn't black and white but many shades of grey. Must be hell to be color blind.

Maybe the next step will be mandatory celibacy for priests & bishops! (B-16 would like that, I bet)

BobinSwPA,

Intersting that in order to become a priest one must sincerely believe that they are being called by God. So, those who accuse us of following cultural trends rather than God, would be willing to ignore the call by God to follow cultural trends? Methinks there's a bit of irony there.

Love and Prayers,
Ann Marie

Not surprised to see the back flip on women, that has been on the agenda for the core conservatives for a long time.

There is a silent tolerance whilst they try to push forward to build a viable global schism. Once successful, they'll clean up their "unclean" communion members.

'Backpedaling on women now? I wonder if they'll bring back the burning of heretics next.'

Posted by: ruidh on Thursday, 20 December 2007 at 1:05pm GMT

What made you think they had ever abandoned the practice ? !

Any competent PR professional will tell you that you can't run from the media, and that attempting to do so makes you appear weak and cowardly.

Thank goodness Archdeacon Tunde is not a competent PR professional.

According to the Falls Church article:
"In his remarks at the ceremony, Minns said, 'At this time, the Church of Nigeria, to which we owe canonical obedience, has no provision for the ordination of women.'
"By aligning with the Nigerian church, therefore, CANA repudiated a decision taken by the Episcopal Church, U.S.A. in 1976 to permit the ordination of women.
"Minns added, 'I am fully aware that this is a topic of concern for many clergy and congregations throughout CANA and one that produces intense reactions.'
"He said he’s appointed a task force to study the matter from the standpoint of what he called 'two integrities' of the issue, namely, adamant opposition to the ordination of women, on the one hand, and an array of alternatives ranging from some diminished role for women in the leadership of the church to ordination, on the other."

I'm confused. Did Minns or did he not vow obedience to Akinola and the Church of Nigeria during his irregular consecration? If Akinola and Nigeria say "no women priests," what is left for Minns to study? Does this man need someone to explain to him the definition of "obedience"? In the Church of Nigeria, "Akinola says it, and that settles it." All that's left for Minns to say is "Yes, my Lord Bishop."

That should be "Yes, Your Grace." Big Pete is an ARCHbishop.

Thanks for the link to Julia Duin's blog. Ms. Duin, a reporter for the right-wing, Moonie-owned "Washington Times", has been consistently supportive of the Virginia CANA secessionist group, yet every effort she made to speak directly to Akinola and to Minns were deliberately blocked - ultimately by a "priest/bodyguard, who happened to be built like a football player", who addressed her by her Christian name, and therefore knew exactly who she was. If Minns is prepared to go to this length to prevent a sympathetic reporter from having access to Akinola, it indicates that the archbishop's earlier, on-the-record "mis-speaks" are unlikely to have been misunderstandings or atypical aberrations, and that Minns is very well-aware of the true nature of the man whose cope-tails he is, for now, riding, and cares only that the man's homophobia receives the absolute minimum of confirmable publicity.