Posted on 05/21/2004 10:54:35 AM PDT by ahadams2
Conservatives losing patience with liberals
Number: 5718 Date: May 20,
Hopes to avert a schism in the Anglican Communion appear to be disappearing after one of the Primates charged with finding a solution to the sexuality crisis has warned that conservatives are questioning calls for restraint.
The Archbishop of the West Indies, the Most Rev Drexel Gomez, has challenged Archbishop Robin Eames, the chair of the Commission set up to hold the Communion together, to apply the same censure to liberals as conservatives.
In a sign of increasing tension at the heart of the Commission, Archbishop Gomez has written a letter to the Irish Primate expressing his disappointment that Archbishop Eames is treating the conservatives unfairly harshly.
He is among 18 Primates from the Global South who have warned that there will be a “tragic realignment” if the American Church is not expelled from the Communion for refusing to repent and rescind the consecration of a gay bishop.
For one of the Anglican leaders responsible for resolving the crisis in the Church to issue such a strong letter of dissent, and publicly side with the ultimatum from the Global South Primates, suggests that rifts are widening at the heart of the Eames Commission.
Archbishop Gomez is critical of Archbishop Eames’s letter that pleaded for a halt to actions and statements that “express definitive positions on relationships within the Anglican Communion”. This appeared to be addressed only to those who take objection to recent developments, the West Indian Archbishop argued.
He continued: “There is no small feeling amongst conservative members of the Communion that they are being asked to show restraint whilst the liberal agenda moves ahead.” He pointed to a long list of precipitate action taken by liberals that is leaving conservatives exasperated, including the appointment of Jeffrey John to be Dean of St Albans, the Canadian Church’s moves towards the blessing of same-sex unions and the American Church “actually going forward with the authorisation of such rites”.
Archbishop Gomez writes: “This is only likely to create a situation where the playing field is perceived as skewed – conservative reaction is held back, whilst liberal viewpoints are allowed to claim too much territory. It creates the question in many minds, ‘Why should we wait, if others are not showing the same restraint?'.”
The Primates of the Global South have given a deadline of three months following the Eames Commission’s report for the Episcopal Church of the United States to repent and rescind its consecration of Gene Robinson or otherwise for ECUSA to be expelled from the Communion.
They want recognition and full Episcopal and pastoral oversight to be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates to those dioceses, parishes and laity within ECUSA who remain true to the “historic faith and order of the Anglican Communion”. The Bishop and Synod of the Canadian diocese of New Westminster, which authorised the blessing of same-sex unions, should face similar demands, they argue.
To prevent rogue provinces taking unilateral action in the future, the Primates have also the Commission to consider renewing a means of keeping mutual accountability within the Communion. “We are of one mind that these measures are essential to preserve our Communion in true union and to avoid the tragic realignment, which would otherwise be inevitable,” they warn. This realignment would mean an end to the relationship with Canterbury, a source close to the Primates said.
The Eames Commission will deliver its final report in October, with new rules of accountability likely to be one of two options recommended for preserving the unity of the Communion. The other could propose a much looser, less binding federation of Churches, which the liberals would prefer.
Ping.
Unlike many here, I haven't devoted much attention to the leagl issues with ECUSA, like who really own the parish buildings..churchs, assets, etc.. I know legal skrmishing is just beginning..But if the AC boots the ECUSA out, doesn't that change the dynamic in court? Big time, as they say?
You wrote "But if the AC boots the ECUSA out, doesn't that change the dynamic in court? Big time, as they say?"
I'm not a lawyer, but my best understanding of the issue is yes it will in some states. Perhaps one of the freeper lawyers could comment on this?
That's what I was wondering about also. Sounds logical to me.
It would be a "we didn't leave the church" defense. The "church left us."
Well I am a lawyer, and play one on TV. But this is church law - a whole different kettle of fish. From the court cases I have read, it would probably come down to what individual bishops decide. If a bishop left 815 and stayed with the "Anglican Communion" (the new ECUSA?) I think some courts would ratify that decision. On the other hand, individual parishes trying to leave 815 against their bishop's wishes would probably get slapped down. To my knowledge no court of record has yet ruled on the Dennis Cannon.
My own opinion: the orthodox should all leave (no later than three months after the Eames Commission report), try to keep their property, but leave regardless. Don't look back. Would one want to be turned into a pillar of salt?
Both sides left the Church, they need to come home to Rome.
Soon a decision will have to be made as to what is more important: church property and organizational structure -- or the truths of orthodox Christianity.
FYI..check out the front page article in today's NY Times..
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