Posted on 06/24/2009 1:52:57 PM PDT by wagglebee
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The founders of the new Anglican Church in North America, a conservative alternative to the pro-abortion Episcopal Church USA and the Anglican Church of Canada, have affirmed a pro-life view on abortion in their new founding constitution.
About 800 people met in Texas on Monday and tapped Archbishop-designate Robert Duncan to be the new leader of the ACNA.
He told attendees of the founding conference that no one regrets their decision to break away from the pro-abortion mainline Protestant denomination, which has moved further to the left over the years on abortion and other political and social issues.
"There is no one here who would go back," Bishop Duncan said during a Communion service. "Though the journey took its toll, we know that we have been delivered, and have found that deliverance very sweet, indeed."
"There is a great reformation of the Christian church under way," Bishop Duncan said, according to a Washington Times report. "While much of mainline Protestantism is finding itself adrift from its moorings ... there is an ever-growing stream of North American Protestantism that has re-embraced Scripture's authority."
Part of that embrace is affirming the dignity of human life, created in God's image.
During the new Church's Inaugural Provincial Assembly, more than 250 ordained and lay delegates ratified the Constitution and Canons that establish the new church.
Section 4 and 5 of Canon 8 in Title II, states "God, and not man, is the creator of human life. The unjustified taking of life is sinful."
The documents also talk about extending the hand of Christian fellowship to women who have made the decision to have an abortion, and to help them find forgiveness and a renewed relationship with God.
"Therefore, from conception to natural death, all members and clergy are called to protect and respect the sanctity of every human life. The Church is called upon to show Christ-like compassion to those who have fallen into sin, encouraging them to repent and receive forgiveness, and offering the ministry of healing to all who suffer physically or emotionally as a result."
The pro-life and post-abortion words are comforting to Georgette Forney, president of Anglicans for Life who, herself, is post-abortive.
"This is an historical event. While most mainline denominations uphold the right to abortion, the ACNA has chosen to boldly proclaim the right to life," she told LifeNews.com.
"We are looking forward to helping the 700 parishes of the new ACNA establish life-affirming outreach and ministry in their local communities. Anglicans for Life has the resources these Churches will need to uphold the sanctity of life and we're here to serve them," she said.
Related web sites:
Anglicans for Life - http://www.anglicansforlife.org
Perfectly stated!
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This group is not new. There was an active Anglican Church in America operating in the 1970s. I had several friends in Texas who were active and the Archbishop Primus was a retired British diplomat who lived in Palo Alto, CA (father of a friend of mine from high school).
Now, many of those people that I mention have passed on, so I do not know what happened to that group. The one lady that I know who is still alive, has become Catholic in the last few years.
Well this new Anglican Church has my fervent prayers that it may prove to be the new home for all the Protestants who now struggle with their churches’ tolerance of un-Christian abortion and homosexual practices.
I don't think the 70s ACNA had an Archbishop or Primus. There were 4 bishops consecrated in the fall of 1977 or early 1978 (Morse, Watterson, Mote and Doren) but none were designated archbishop. Shortly thereafter, the ACNA splintered into the ACC, DCK, and I can't recall the other. I suppose it doesn't really matter at this point, but we should try to get our history right.
Blessings on them.
Yes. And the ACC, APCK (formerly DCK) and UECNA are now in communion.
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Good for them...
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