Posted on 02/28/2005 5:48:31 PM PST by newheart
Traditionalist Anglicans around the world reacted to the news the primates of the Anglican Communion had suspended the Episcopal Church from membership in the 70 million member bodies' international council with a mixture of elation and caution.
Conservative leader Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh called the February 25 communiqué an "epochal" moment in the life of the church, while the archbishop of Sydney adopted a wait-and-see attitude.
The archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, summoned the leaders of the 38 member churches of the Anglican Communion to Newry, Northern Ireland, to discuss the Windsor Report. The study, released in October, was commissioned after a diocese of the Anglican Church of Canada authorized its clergy to perform same-sex "unions" and in the wake of the American church's decision to consecrate a noncelibate homosexual priest as bishop of the diocese of New Hampshire. The consecration of Bishop V. Gene Robinson scandalized Anglicans in Africa, Asia, and South America and divided the church in the United States.
Following four days of closed-door meetings, the Anglican leaders (called primates) unanimously agreed on February 24 to "request the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada voluntarily withdraw" from the Anglican Communion's consultative council for three years. During the suspension, the churches were to reconsider their actions and amend their ways or provide an acceptable theological rationale for normalizing homosexual behavior...
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. Hi newheart, I am confused as to what this all means. It appears that the head Anglicans have requested that ECUSA and its Canadian counterpart refrain from attending meetings, but they are NOT "excommunicated" per se? Why the three year waiting time? Isn't their heresy rather readily apparent? And, I read on another thread that the ECUSA et al were going to attend the meetings anyway, the Council be darned. Any enlightenment would be appreciated.
They are not excommunicated... yet. They are being given yet anoter chance to reform. (Anglicans these days tend rather to avoid being the kind of howling mobs who drag someone off to be burned at the stake forthwith.)
There are three recognized "checkpoints." ECUSA et al has been asked to give an account of its actions this June. Checkpoint 1. Next is its General Convention 2006, where the rest will be looking for its repentance. Checkpoint 2. Third is the next Lambeth Conference in 2008 (every 10 years). By then the position of ECUSA et al will be clear.
The only definitive point of action is the first. In the other points it is possible that the Global South would pull the plug if they don't like what they see.
There's a waiting game going on, and unfortunately the Global South has bought into it.
But ECUSA is acting a little bit arrogant now, and that could be their downfall sooner rather than later.
Nothing was established, and there was enough 'weasel room' left for the weasels.
I'm afraid I have to agree with you. Listen, the orthodox remaining in ECUSA have been on tenderhooks now for 2 years hoping & praying that the heretics will get thumbscrews & they will get some relief from extortion & persecution by land-grabbing Bishops. Now, they're being told to "sit-tight" for another 3 years with no assurance that ECUSA will see discipline even then. The Windsor Report & this latest Communique have about as many teeth as my 82-year-old mother.
I keep thinking of Shakespeare's words that goes something like, "'Tis a tale told by an idiot. All sound & fury, signifying nothing."
"(Anglicans these days tend rather to avoid being the kind of howling mobs who drag someone off to be burned at the stake forthwith.)"
More's the pity!
No plans for relief for Anglican Christians in the US?
The council accomplished nothing. :(
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