Posted on 11/19/2003 8:50:22 PM PST by ahadams2
Statement by Bishop Michael Ingham: November 18th 2003
The statement yesterday by the Reverend Trevor Walters shows that the leadership of the dissenting group has no interest in reconciliation within the Diocese of New Westminster.
Despite the consistent refusal of the House of Bishops to support their breakaway cause, Mr. Walters and his colleagues remain determined to pursue a separate diocese for themselves along with their own bishop.
Their demand for the appointment of Bishop Anderson, after the House of Bishops has repeatedly urged the withdrawal of Bishop Buckle, illustrates a continuing lack of understanding not only of the mind, role, and powers of the House, but also of the process of episcopal appointment within the Canadian Church.
Bishops are elected in the Canadian Anglican Church, not appointed. What they propose is not possible in our system, and neither is it desirable.
Both I and the Diocesan Synod have offered the dissenting group everything reasonable within the existing structures of the Anglican Church: a conscience clause guaranteeing freedom from compulsion in the matter of same-sex blessings for both priests and congregations; a commitment to non-discrimination in clergy employment and deployment; and a conservative bishop with authority.
The appointment of the Episcopal Visitor, Bishop William Hockin, has been welcomed by the House of Bishops. While I must retain my position as diocesan bishop, the responsibilities I have delegated to Bishop Hockin are in fact greater than the Church of England’s “flying bishops.”
While individual parishioners from the dissenting congregations have had useful discussions with Bishop Hockin, the leadership that Mr. Walters represents has frustrated Bishop Hockin’s sincere attempt to bring healing to our diocese by dismissing his ministry out of hand. Their statement to the effect that he had come only to “drink tea and hold hands” showed contempt not only for him, but also for the House of Bishops.
Both I and the diocesan leadership will cooperate with the House of Bishops Task Force on Dissenting Minorities when it begins work. It is clear, however, that the intransigence of the leadership of the dissenting group may force our negotiations to focus on structural separation (schism) rather than reconciliation. In view of this, diocesan officers must exercise both a fiduciary and a stewardship responsibility to preserve the territorial integrity of the Diocese, and the assets of its parishes, for the future of the Anglican Church in British Columbia.
+Michael Ingham Bishop of New Westminster Vancouver, BC
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