Before the Battle

Midwest Conservative Journal ^ | 5/22/2006 | Christopher Johnson

[sionnsar]

The Anglican Communion Network chooses its ground:

The issue for the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in June 2006 is whether the 2003 decision can be reversed and the tear in the fabric of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion can be repaired. Failing this reversal, the state of impaired or broken communion among those formerly together in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion can be expected to become permanent. We, the Network Bishops, are prepared to be part of the efforts to reverse the situation, precisely because we are committed both to the Anglican Communion and the Constitution of the Episcopal Church, and because we long to be instruments of healing and reconciliation in the face of division.

A reversal the Network clearly does not expect.

To that end, we unanimously support the recommendations of the Windsor Report as the basis on which our divisions may begin to be mended. We pledge to work with all bishops of this Church and of the Communion who also support the Windsor report, and the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates in particular, in working toward greater unity and mutual responsibility under Scripture and within the Anglican heritage.

This is about as good a statement as one might expect.  Although many of us may have liked to have seen an ultimatum here, that was probably not a practical idea.  Had the Network issued one, the presentment charges would have been filed by nightfall.  I think the Network has clearly indicated where it wants to be.  What remains to be seen, of course, is what the Network will do when ECUSA rejects the Windsor Report.

[Jeff Head]

We, the Network Bishops, are prepared to be part of the efforts to reverse the situation, precisely because we are committed both to the Anglican Communion and the Constitution of the Episcopal Church, and because we long to be instruments of healing and reconciliation in the face of division.

How about reversing it simply because it was wrong? That wrong is what initiated the rift (as well it should IMHO), righting the wrong will lead to the reunification...but do it for the sake of being right before God.