As the Ten Reasons Why the Proposed Anglican Covenant Is a Bad Idea circulated around the internet, several persons left comments here at Wounded Bird and at other blog sites pointing out that reason No. 1 was unrealistic, because the churches of the Anglican Communion are not "a vibrant, cooperative, fellowship of churches".When leaders and members of the churches proclaim their opposing opinions, accuse fellow member churches of heresy, threaten schism, and even, in a few cases, make good their threats, the state of the Anglican Communion may look dire, indeed. But even as the quarrels in the AC continue, we must not forget that mission activities such as Lisa describes below continue between and amongst dioceses and parishes.
Please read Lisa's wise words.
From Comprehensive Unity, the No Anglican Covenant Blog:
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The effect of the Covenant on mission
Deputy Lisa Fox of the Diocese of Missouri reflects on the relationship between the Diocese of Lui in Sudan and her diocese:
My Diocese of Missouri is in a companion relationship with the Diocese of Lui (Episcopal Church of Sudan). Before the governing bodies of Missouri and Lui adopted the covenant between our dioceses, it is my understanding that the bishops had frank conversations.
There are many differences in our dioceses.
The Diocese of Lui uses a Moru translation of the 1662 CoE prayer book, and their translation is a very Protestant one in which the Eucharist is merely a "memorial" of the Lord's Supper.
The Diocese of Missouri celebrates the Eucharist as a sacrament, informed by the liturgical renewal of the past century.
The people of Lui tend to read the Scriptures more literally than do we in Missouri. LGBT persons are ordained in Missouri, while that isn't on the radar in the Diocese of Lui or anywhere in Sudan.
We have very different ways of counting our "members."
However, we have a healthy relationship, between our bishops, congregations, and individuals. There is deep sharing between us as dioceses and individuals. We recognize and accept the differences, but we are brought together by our respect for each other and by our respect for one another's churches.
The current structure of the Anglican Communion allows us to do that. We can differ, but still love and support one another. We can and do respect the different contexts of how we minister in Missouri and Lui.
I believe it has been a blessing to our Diocese of Missouri to understand and walk with the people in the Diocese of Lui. I hope the reverse has also been true.
The proposed Anglican Covenant would, I fear, bring an end to this "diversity within unity." That Covenant would give each province a right of "veto" over any other province's movement. Many other people have written more articulately than I can about the loss of unity in the enforcement of uniformity.
This much I know: I have learned a great deal about Christian faith from my brothers and sisters in Lui, when I was there in 2006 and in our communications since then. We would disagree about some philosophical/theological/theoretical matters. But we are bound together in love, fellowship, and mission.
For the life of me, I do not understand those who support a Covenant that would reduce our respectful and diverse fellowship to a curia demanding "uniformity of belief."
I've been a kibitzer on the Bishops and Deputies listserve (HOBD) since 2003, and hope to contribute to our dialogue now that I've been elected a deputy.
Gratefully --
Lisa
Lisa Fox
L4, Diocese of Missouri
Lisa blogs at My Manner of Life>
I'm glad you found this helpful, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Missouri and Lui is strong, despite our many differences.
Many of us are deeply grieving the death of Bishop Bullen Dolli (bishop of Lui) a week ago. I shared some reflections about the bishop here, with some additional thoughts about our bonds of affection.
Lisa, what a beautiful tribute to Bishop Bullen Dolli.
ReplyDeleteAs you see there were no comments to this post before yours, but I see from my stats that the post is receiving visitors and presumably being read.
The bonds of affection are present in many places in the Anglican Communion, but, in cases where they are not present, they cannot be forced by a covenant.
A hearty "Amen!" to what you wrote about the bonds of affection, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteYes, my tribute to Bishop Bullen was heartfelt. I regret I cannot be there for his funeral with the people of Lui.
When I was in Lui, no one there seemed to care about our diocese's stance on the Presenting Issues. They wanted us to come and spend time with them. They asked our people to teach workshops for their lay people and clergy. They valued the wells we had dug and the financial support we shared. ... And they taught me and most of the other Missouri visitors what it means to be grateful and to rely on God.
As a blogger, you know there's no rhyme or reason as to why folks comment on some posts and not on others. I'm glad, though, to learn that people are reading this one.