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.