New alliance of traditionalists threatens truce

The Church of England Newspaper ^ | 7/29/2005 | unknown

[sionnsar]

The Anglican Church's uneasy truce could be broken by the formation of a new alliance for conservative Anglicans in the Americas and Caribbean. Two Primates from the region this week announced the plan to bring together conservative Anglicans from across the region in a deliberate snub to the liberal-leaning provinces of the Episcopal Church of the USA, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Brazilian Province. They argue that the initiative is to share in common mission and ministry, but state that it has become necessary “because of the confusion and theological chaos that has been introduced in the region by the unilateral actions” of the two North American provinces.

The move by the Archbishop of the West Indies, the Most Rev Drexel Gomez, and the Presiding Bishop of the Southern Cone, the Rt Rev Gregory Venables, threaten to undermine the truce which they themselves signed at the Dromantine Primates meeting in February not to cross provincial and diocesan boundaries. But they argue that the Council of Anglican Provinces of the Americas and Caribbean (CAPAC) is also a response to the 'persecution' of evangelical and catholic congregations in Canada and America by liberal Archbishops, including threatened depositions of clergy in Connecticut and Los Angeles. The new alliance is modelled on the successful Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa led by the Nigerian Primate Peter Akinola, but the one key difference is that this province crosses boundaries. The founding documents of the alliance are signed by Bishop Bob Duncan, the moderator of the traditionalist body, the Anglican Communion Network in the States, and a Canadian representative. It is thought that it will also include continuing Anglican churches in its membership and could eventually represent over a million Anglicans in the region. Bishop Duncan said: “There has been an increase in incidents of unfair and excessive action by liberal bishops against clergy and congregations who share the faith and values of the majority of the Communion. Not only has mission been undermined, but theological innovations in the region have increased in stridence. The new Council was formed at a meeting earlier this month in Nassau. Its formation was also clearly influenced by frustration at the slow start and delays in the formation of the Panel of Reference which is supposed to monitor provisions for alternative oversight for conservative congregations and dioceses in the region. Those who participate in the Council will have to agree to a Covenant of Understanding, which states its commitment to the Anglican Communion. The agreement says that those included in the Council will have to conform to historic Anglican formularies and endorse the theological position of the Windsor Report. The Covenant said that while it may be necessary to “establish interim, provisional measures for mission and ministry” they would seek to work with the Anglican instruments of unity. “One of the great misconceptions has been the ridiculous assertion that those who remain committed to the faith of the Communion are somehow 'dissidents,” said Bishop Venables. He said that the new alliance made it obvious that “those of the historic Biblical faith are part of the overwhelming majority” of Anglicans.

Archbishop Gomez said: “It is crucial for the future of the Anglican Communion that we find a way to forge links based on shared theological commitments. Despite the fact we have shared some elements of history in the Communion, the current crisis has arisen because we do not share a common theological bond with those who are unilaterally seeking to change the faith.”

[sionnsar]

Thanks to tellw for spotting this.