The Anglican Church in North America continues to secure its place in global Anglican circles. The amazing work of the Anglican Relief and Development Fund is a huge part of the story: 134 development projects in 36 nations, alongside of millions of dollars of relief work in global disasters, has shown the Anglican world that we desire to be agents of the transforming love of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. In a different way, as a GAFCON/GFCA Province we are full partners with a majority of the world’s Anglicans. Twice a year I participate in the GAFCON/GFCA Primates Council. An even larger constellation of Anglican Provinces – the so-called Global South – also always includes our leadership in their global gatherings. The Church of England continues to follow-through on the General Synod motion of 2010, a follow-through that, I am convinced, will lead to the recognition of our orders within another year or so. Recently I spent four and a half hours with the Archbishop of Canterbury, at his invitation. Last week I spent five hours of private time with the Primate of Nigeria, deepening our relationship and commitment to one another. The role of the Anglican Church in North America in GAFCON 2 in October in Nairobi – some one-hundred-thirty-four of us – will be an immensely significant one. The Anglican Church in North America is a significant player on the Global Anglican stage. (My emphasis)Regarding Duncan's confidence that the Church of England will recognize ACNA's orders within a year or so, who am I to say it won't happen? At first, I thought the juxtaposition of Duncan's mention of the two meetings - four and a half hours with the Archbishop of Canterbury and five hours with the Primate of Nigeria - was a bit strange, but perhaps not.
Lionel Deimel, to whom I am indebted for the link to Robert Duncan's address, has further interesting commentary about the content of the speech, especially with regard to the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh and the ACNA's choice of Nashotah House for their meeting.
Given the history of past break-away denominations from TEC, I'm not going to hold my breath for the ACNA to become large or relevant. If they want to leave TEC, then go in peace - but the door keys & the silverware should be left behind. It doesn't belong to them...
ReplyDeleteExactly, David, go in peace. Of course, as Lionel says from his position in the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, the ACNA group did not go peacefully from the diocese.
DeleteRecognition of their orders means nothing. The Anglican Communion recognizes the orders of the Roman Church. Also, more relevantly, those of the Church of England in South Africa a 19th century breakaway sect, but the C of E in South Africa is not in communion with Lambeth.
ReplyDeleteLog-on confusion
ReplyDeleteRoger and Lapin - one and the same. I am surprised. :-)
ReplyDeleteDuncan will grasp at any straw to appear "legitimate."
Wither goeth the ACNA? Boy, what a loaded question!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, David and John. In my original post, I left out "goeth", thus making an inadvertent pun, or perhaps a Freudian slip. I wonder if the leadership of ACNA even know where they're going. Why hasn't Mark Lawrence joined forces with them?
DeleteOh, I'm sure the ACNA would love to take in all the disgruntled former Episcopalians in lower SC, but now that Mark Lawrence is getting a taste of what it's like to be the "top dog" in his very own church, it might be a while before he's ready to answer to any power higher than himself.
DeleteTrue. Lawrence would be a bishop under Archbishop Duncan, a position which he might find hard to accept, since they were once on equal footing.
DeleteDuncan is stringing his followers along, and ABC Welby is stringing Duncan along. String along, folks!
ReplyDeleteI suspect Duncan paints a rosier picture than the reality warrents.
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