Conservative Anglicans find a way forward

By Sue Careless

ANGLICANS in Canada and the United States who have endorsed same-sex unions may be disciplined by the worldwide Anglican church, according to a recent British news report.

The London Times reported Friday that the Lambeth Commission, which is due to deliver its report on homosexuality to the Archbishop of Canterbury in October, may recommend suspending the Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUSA) from the 75-million strong worldwide Anglican Communion, until it repents of consecrating actively gay bishop Gene Robinson.

According to the Times, a "senior source" stated: "This will not be a fudge. This report will have teeth."

The Vancouver-area Diocese of New Westminster is also likely to face discipline for authorizing same-sex blessings at its diocesan synod two years ago.

Just days before the leak, 700 conservative Canadian Anglicans formed two new organizations in Ottawa, to respond to their national church's declaration that homosexual relationships are holy.

The Anglican Federation and the Anglican Network were commissioned during 'The Way Forward,' a national conference August 30 - September 1 sponsored by the Essentials coalition.

The Federation and Network hope to avoid censure from the worldwide Anglican Communion by formally distancing themselves from the unorthodox actions of their national church.

All conference participants, as well as media, were required to sign a statement that they not only affirmed orthodox Christianity but also repudiated the controversial motion passed by General Synod in May "affirming the integrity and sanctity of committed, adult same-sex relationships." The statement declared that their governing body had "erred grievously" and would "imperil our relationship with the worldwide Anglican Communion."

The Anglican Journal and the Ottawa Citizen refused to sign the statement.

The Federation and Network would enable orthodox Canadian bishops to offer pastoral care to orthodox individuals and congregations isolated in liberal dioceses. Although several foreign bishops have offered such oversight, this is seen as a more practical, Canadian solution.

Traditionally, an Anglican bishop can only minister in a fellow bishop's diocese with his permission. The Federation will operate where a liberal diocesan bishop gives permission to an orthodox bishop to offer episcopal oversight to orthodox congregations and individuals. The Network will operate in those dioceses where a liberal bishop does not give his permission.

"The conference did not create a new denomination," declared Charlie Masters, national director of the Essentials Council. "It is the Anglican Church of Canada that has moved away from historic Anglicanism and created something new. The Federation and Network are claiming ground the revisionists have deserted. We are establishing ourselves within historic Anglicanism. We have not moved; they have."

The first likely to join the Network will be those Vancouver area congregations currently associated with the Anglican Communion in New Westminster (ACiNW) who have opposed bishop Michael Ingham's authorization of same-sex blessings.

Conferees voted unanimously for an interim steering committee for a Federation of "all Canadian Anglicans committed to the recovery and renewal of the orthodox heritage" of Anglicanism. The Network hopes to provide "adequate episcopal oversight for traditional Anglicans who find themselves in situations of impaired or broken communion" with their bishop or national denomination.

The high numbers of those wanting to associate with the Network took organizers aback and larger rooms had to be found. "I no longer feel alone," said Andy Leroux, priest at St. Ninian, Toronto, who attended the Network meeting. "I'm encouraged by this unified front."

It remains to be seen how well the sole Network bishop, Don Harvey, of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the eight Federation bishops will be received by their colleagues in the House of Bishops as they undertake these additional commitments beyond their own flocks.

Related stories:

Dissident priests asked to vacate church buildings in New West
The New Westminster diocesan council, in a letter sent by Bishop Michael Ingham, has asked two priests who have left the Anglican Church of Canada over the issue of same-sex blessings to vacate the church buildings that they are using and to seek "alternate worship space."
Anglican Journal, September

Anglicans ready to ostracise US church over gay bishop
The Episcopal Church in the United States faces exclusion from the worldwide Anglican communion as punishment for ordaining a gay bishop, The Times has learnt. The draconian disciplinary measure is expected to be recommended by a commission set up by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, to resolve the crisis over homosexuality.
London Times, September 2

Anglicans to shun gay-row bishops
Liberal American bishops face having their invitations to Anglican summits withdrawn by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, if they continue to defy the worldwide Church over homosexuality.
Daily Telegraph, September 3