Posted on 11/27/2006 7:16:51 PM PST by sionnsar
Of all the strange things that go on in the roiling, rollicking, Anglican Crisis, one of the strangest was last weeks' concentrated blast of Anti-Rowanism from the Telegraph and The Times. Out with Rowan, in with John: from both papers, at the same time. I think that Baby Blue has it right: this is the opening of Rowan versus the Libs, with some strange spin on it.
The most shocking rhetoric was, for me, the Times' description of Apb. Williams as "cerebral and prevaricating." The word "prevaricate" opens an interesting speculation (alright, readers, go ahead and call me "cerebral and vacillating" or something. Go right ahead. I'll hit you with my dictionary). The Oxford American Dictionary defines prevaricate as "to speak or act evasively or misleadingly," or, to be blunt, to lie. But the Shorter OED, relying on the word's Latin roots, has "(1)to go aside from the right course, transgress, (2) act or speak evasively, quibble (3) (specialized legal use) betray the cause of a client by collusion with the opponent."
Wasn't that fun, boys and girls? The Times probably meant the connotation "lie" but may well have intended the more subtle meaning. Rowan's not doing what we thought he would. Out with him! He's betrayed our cause! Out with him! Very, very odd.
I make no secret that I'm becoming a fan of the Archbishop's theological work, which I find more and more interesting, provocative, and deeply Christian - but often laborious to read. It should have been clear to any one who followed his work at least for the last decade that he can't be classified easily as "anglo-catholic" or "evangelical." But, maybe, those who vested in him their hopes for a British Griswold didn't bother to read or listen; and the man's prolific enough for any three or four men.
But whether he has the force of personality to bring the Crisis to a reasonable conclusion is another matter, far from clear. A lot of Americans want him to be the sheriff, a role he declines. In the absence of any method for defining the Anglican Communion, he seems to want to build consensus and agreement, and to begin creating the framework for dealing with the Crisis that is lacking now.
I can see a point to this path, frustrating as it is to walk, er, crawl.
If the CoE Left continues to fire at their Archbishop, we across the water should be cautious in joining the barrage. I can't see it as helpful.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. I used to attend All Saints Pasadena, for which I thank God as it helped me into Judaism.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.