Thinking Anglicans

Global South Primates' letter to the Crown Nominations Commission

In their communiqué a week ago the Global South Primates wrote that they had written to the Crown Nominations Commission about the appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury. Episcopal Café has now seen a copy of this letter and published it in full: Global South Primates: next ABC must ‘address the ecclesial deficit’ of Communion.

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Bishop Terry Brown
Bishop Terry Brown
11 years ago

Well, it is interesting that it has been leaked, by whom and for what end? The letter should be read totally apart from the so-called Global South Primates’ Communiqué with its very specific anti-TEC strictures, which, unlike this letter, was not discussed at the Global South Primates’ meeting but was written afterwards (see my comments on the TA thread about this Communiqué). The media will link these two documents and give the letter a spin that is not entirely accurate. Given the previous hijacking of the Global South Primates’ meeting by the anti-TEC anti-Canterbury element, I think this letter should… Read more »

Jeremy
Jeremy
11 years ago

Chickens, here is your Lambeth-Palace roost.

Just goes to show that the next Archbishop of Canterbury ought not encourage the notion that there is any such thing as an “ecclesial deficit.”

The Anglican Communion is a family of autonomous churches. Nothing more, nothing less.

The clearer the next Archbishop is on this point, the better.

Father Ron Smith
11 years ago

At least two of the ‘Global South’ Primates who are signatories of this Letter (++Nigeria * ++Kenya) have been involved in Border-Crossing activity in the world-wide Anglican Communion. They also have refused to take part in assemblies called by the current Archbishop of Canterbury (Lambeth and the Primates’ Meeting). This action shows scant regard for any show of loyalty to the See of Canterbury. My question, in view of these facts, is: “Why should these Primates have any say in who should become the next Archbishop of Canterbury?” They have shown a high degree of disregard for the present Archbishop… Read more »

Malcolm French+
11 years ago

There is only proper use of the term “ecclesial deficit” in reference to the structures of the Anglican Communion. It should be spread liberally on the garden to aid plant growth.

This idiocy about an “ecclesial deficit” is a complete rejection of authentic Anglicanism, which was born in the rejection of centralized authority. Does no one remember “The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this realm of England?” The BS talking point of “ecclesial deficit” is the rhetorical legerdemain of those seeking to replace the Anglican Communion with a single, unitary Church governed by the Primates-as-Curia.

Jeremy
Jeremy
11 years ago

“All global churches, including the RCs, have ‘ecclesial deficits’, another name for sin, I would say.” No, no. Do not obscure the issue. These people cannot discipline autonomous churches themselves, so they want the new A of C to help set up a structure that can. In other words, these people want a curia. Such an institution would be antithetical to Anglicanism. Fortunately, it isn’t going to happen. As for the slightly nicer tone, I wouldn’t read into this any change in substance–only tactics. They are merely toning down the rhetoric. And why? Because the GSPs know that bible-thumping will… Read more »

Jean Mayland
Jean Mayland
11 years ago

I agree with Malcom. The Anglican Communion is not a church but a fellowship of churches with a common tradition and affection. We are not a Church to be ruled by a curia but separate Provinces whose main responsibility is to carry out their mission as best they can in their own setting. In the current situation in England we need most of all a Primate who will heal our relationship with Society . To do this we need as a church to develop in our own life the Christian principles of openness,inclusivity, equality and love.We should not be dictated… Read more »

cseitz
cseitz
11 years ago

Who doubts that both communique and letter were written as complementary, one for one audience and another for a different one.

Is it clear that S Cone abstained from signing or was not contacted and confirmed?

Melanasia is clearly a signatory this time, too.

c.r.seitz
c.r.seitz
11 years ago

I meant +Vunagi of Melanesia. He’s on board here clearly.

Bishop Terry Brown
Bishop Terry Brown
11 years ago

I have posted a clarification on the relation between the Global South Primates’ meeting and the Global South Primates’ Communiqué on the TA Global South Primates’ Communiqué thread, namely that the GS Primates’ Communiqué was formulated at the last session of the Primates’ meetings, which was unexpectedly held earlier than scheduled and at which not all the Primates (including Melanesia) were present; nor were those not present told of the contents of the Communiqué afterwards, even though their names were affixed to it. The letter to the Crown Nomination Commission was discussed at an earlier session of the GS Primates’… Read more »

Marshall Scott
11 years ago

I think we need to recall that the idea of “ecclesial deficit” has a history that predates the Windsor Report. In the declaration “Dominus Iesus,” written by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger before his election to the Papacy, wrte, “these separated Churches and communities as such, though we believe they suffer from defects, have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation.” Now, “separated Churches” includes us, along with just about everybody else, who are not, for the purposes of “Dominus Iesus,” considered “true particular churches.” That is, if Rome doesn’t accept the validity of your… Read more »

c.r.seitz
c.r.seitz
11 years ago

Yes, and perhaps the ‘Gafcon agenda’ is transforming itself toward a Windsor direction….

If +Vunagi is not supportive of the communique, surely it should be he who declares that.

Jeremy
Jeremy
11 years ago

“I am not sure how much is gained by the “family of autonomous churches” definition of the Anglican Communion as it is clearly a dysfunctional family. Ecclesial deficit = dysfunctional family, what’s the difference, both need help.” No, no, no. Wrong again. Phrasing the Communion as a family reminds everyone of the fundamental truth that family members do not always get along–and that we shouldn’t expect them to. The phrase “ecclesial deficit,” by contrast, does two harmful things. First, in “ecclesial,” it surreptitiously assumes that the Communion is one church. This assumption is manifestly false. Second, in “deficit,” it suggests… Read more »

Father Ron Smith
11 years ago

‘Ecclesial Deficit’ – if it means anything – must mean: whatever it is that falls short of God’s vision for the Church. Christ’s prayer that we be One, as He and The Father are One, must surely be the aim for ‘ecclesial completeness’. In which case, none of the present ecclesial denominations can claim to be without ‘ecclesial deficit’ – not even the Roman Catholic Church, which, however, claims to be the sole candidate. (Unless, of course, they consider the Orthodox to be equal contenders). So where does that leave the Anglican Communion at the present? In a place no… Read more »

Scott
Scott
11 years ago

I’d just echo what Jeremy on Tuesday is saying (and perhaps he’s saying it other days as well)… It looks like some posters are interested in engaging in a lively discussion with the term “Ecclesial deficit” – which seems harmless enough. BUT the term is being used in a very specific way and its use implies a series of assumptions that are not part of the Anglican tradition. And the danger in entertaining the term is that the baggage will tend to creep into the picture. The effect will be that instead of rejecting “Ecclesial Deficit” as a term with… Read more »

Jeremy
Jeremy
11 years ago

“‘Ecclesial Deficit’ – if it means anything – must mean: whatever it is that falls short of God’s vision for the Church. Christ’s prayer that we be One, as He and The Father are One, must surely be the aim for ‘ecclesial completeness’.” Well, we are not aware that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ever disagree with each other. And if they did, it is not clear how such a disagreement would be resolved. The Trinity is, after all, a mystery. The problem in the here and now, of course, is that the GS folks are not willing to… Read more »

RPNewark
RPNewark
11 years ago

“In conclusion, the Global South Primates expect to be consulted on this decision of great importance for the Communion ….”

Of course they should be consulted – but not by the CNC!

They should be, and probably will be, consulted by the Most Revd. Dr. Barry Morgan, the Primate representing the Anglican Communion, whose appointment to the CNC was for just that purpose. It is for him to make known to the other members of the CNC the views of the Communion [which, of course, includes the Primates (which, of course, includes those of the Global South)].

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