A diocesan convention could adopt the Covenant. That diocese’s bishop would then be recognized by the Archbishop of Canterbury as “in communion” with him.
A congregation in a non-Covenant diocese could adopt the Covenant and request of the diocesan bishop an “Episcopal Visitor” from among those bishops recognized by the Archbishop as being “in communion” with the See of Canterbury.
An individual in a non-Covenant congregation in a non-Covenant diocese could simply have his or her “letter” moved to or baptism recorded in a Covenanted-congregation.
Or, perhaps the Communion Partners initiative could become a “Mission Society” or a “Christian Community” as described in Canon III.14.2(a) as “a society of Christians (in Communion with the See of Canterbury)…”
Then again, maybe not. Referencing a Sept. 28 letter to the Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, from Archbishop Rowan Williams The Living Church says:
“As a matter of constitutional fact, the [Anglican Consultative Council] can only offer the covenant for ‘adoption’ to its own constituent bodies (the provinces),” the archbishop noted. But “I see no objection to a diocese resolving less formally on an ‘endorsement’ of the covenant.” Such an action may not have an immediate “institutional effect” but “would be a clear declaration of intent to live within the agreed terms of the Communion’s life and so would undoubtedly positively affect a diocese’s pastoral and sacramental relations” with the wider Communion, he said.
A diocese, congregation, or individual may endorse, approve of, really, really like the covenant, but they may not adopt the covenant. Only at the level of the province is adoption of the covenant possible.
Bishop Smith also says:
The General Convention of The Episcopal Church and the Archbishop of Canterbury are moving in different directions. How’s that for the understatement of the year?
There are those who think that it's possible that the Episcopal Church will adopt the covenant, depending on the completion of Part 4. Bishop Smith and many amongst us may yet be in for a surprise. I hope that TEC does not adopt it, but others think it could happen.
Bishop Smith is bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota and one the seven bishops from the Episcopal Church who recently visited with Archbishop Rowan Williams. He is also a candidate for bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.
It seems to me that Bishop Smiths underhanded understanding of ¨adopt¨ is meant to be a publicity stunt that goes far beyond his struggling diocese of North Dakota...one might even think it is a attempt to enhance his voice (in a worldwide Communion where he has little).
ReplyDeleteA question. Did Bishop Smith of North Dakota attend the GAFCON middle east get together? I keep thinking a I remember he did but I can´t find any trace of that unfortunate journey AWAY from The See of Canterbury.
The wishful-thinking, fantasy world these people inhabit, in the absence of the old Republican Party at Prayer or an "orthodox", Lambeth-approved second-province, is quite pathetic. When I was a kid and would ponder what might have happened had some other action not happened in its stead, my mother would say "and if your aunt had been your uncle", and leave it at that. Only when I reached years of discretion did I learn, from another source, that the full saying is "and if your aunt had been you uncle, she'd have had balls".
ReplyDeleteWhat can one say to Bishop Smith except "And if your aunt had been your uncle"?
Len, Bp. Smith's statement was no more than spin, and, to my surprise, Abp. Rowan decided to put to an end to it. Perhaps he wanted to ward off hordes of visiting bishops and rectors anxious to "adopt" the covenant.
ReplyDeleteYour question about GAFCON is one that I could put on my list of "Questions to ask bishops at the walkabout".
Lapin, is that a particularly English saying? I haven't heard it, but I like it. I'll try it out on Grandpère when he starts with the "if onlys".
I assume it must be. Let us know how it plays.
ReplyDeleteA more straightforward version, from Google, is "if your aunt had balls she'd be your uncle".
ReplyDeleteI like the first version better.
ReplyDeleteMy mother would have appreciated that.
ReplyDeleteThis guy really, really, really doesn't want to be bishop of N.D. any more and he really, really, really, REALLY wants to be bishop of LA.
ReplyDeleteThat's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Elizabeth, I have no doubt that you are right.
ReplyDeleteI wonder who minds the store in ND while Bp. Smith spends so much time in Louisiana.
May God shield you from a bishop such as this. A primary sign of the Holy Spirit's presence is the ability to speak in a way that reflects reality -- to be able to listen to others and describe the situation correctly. Bp Smith is entirely spinning his own hopes into a shadow reality -- an embroidery of gossamer on a tissue of lies. He is not listening to the Archbishop, but trying to make what he says mean what he wants. This is, in my opinion, an impediment to effective ministry. It is a form of kicking at goads -- missing the point as spectacularly as Paul did when he thought he was doing God's work by persecuting Christians.
ReplyDeleteMimi and all others in the diocese of Louisiana, please address your concerns to the clergy and delegates in your parish.
ReplyDeleteTobias, thank you for your comment. I may not be the brightest or most knowledgeable person, but I have a high-functioning BS detector, and I recognize BS when I see it.
ReplyDeleteOrmonde, indeed I shall, and I urge all members of the diocese to do the same. My rector well knows my thoughts, and I plan to communicate with my delegates.