'Critical Time' for Divided Anglicans

By Lillian Kwon, Christian Post Reporter Friday, July 20, 2007

Anglican leaders in the Global South are calling it a "critical time" for a divided Anglican Communion and one that will shape their future.

"We are concerned for the future of our Communion as a truly global fellowship and our witness before the world as a respected ecclesial family within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church," said a statement released by the Global South Steering Committee, which met in London, July 16-18.

The steering committee said they were distressed over resolutions passed by The Episcopal Church's – the U.S. branch of Anglicanism – which rejected the requests of the Anglican leaders representing 38 provinces and the plan to develop a "pastoral scheme" where Anglican leaders outside The Episcopal Church would oversee conservative American dioceses and those unable to accept the authority of the Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori.

Episcopal leaders also reaffirmed their stance for the "full inclusion" of homosexuals.

Conservative Anglican leaders, particularly in the Global South, which houses the largest Anglican provinces, have called The Episcopal Church to express regret for its controversial consecration of an openly gay bishop in 2003 and further called for an unequivocal pledge not to consecrate another openly gay bishop or authorize same-sex unions.

"We urge them, once again, to reconsider their position because it is their rejection of the clear teaching of the Church and their continuing intransigence that have divided the Church and has brought our beloved Communion to the breaking point," the Global South leaders stated. "Without heartfelt repentance and genuine change there can be no restoration of the communion that we all earnestly desire and which is our Lord's clear intent."

The Anglican Communion reaffirmed the Lambeth Resolution rejecting homosexual practice as incompatible with Scripture while calling for pastoral care to all, including homosexuals.

Some conservative leaders, such as Nigerian Archbishop Peter J. Akinola, who is considered the world's most powerful Anglican leader, say they have lost faith that the U.S. branch will ever listen to conservative church leaders in the Global South, according to an interview with London's The Times.

Still, Episcopal bishops have declared their desire to remain in full constituent membership in the Anglican Communion and have been invited by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the Anglican spiritual leader, to attend the decennial Lambeth conference next year.

Many Global South leaders, however, have rejected the invitation to participate in the global Lambeth meeting, objecting to the invitation of "violators of the Lambeth Resolution" and those who they believe have departed from Scripture.

They have called for the crisis to be resolved before the Lambeth meeting, which they say is now difficult to view as "an instrument of unity or communion."

"At a time when the world needs a vision of reconciliation and unity, our failure to restore the 'torn fabric' of our Communion threatens to show the world a contrary example."

But in the end, the conservative group of Anglicans said they are hopeful.

They are hopeful that the drafting of an Anglican Covenant, which is currently in process, will "help us move past this debilitating season into a new focus of growth and missionary zeal." The Covenant will articulate the common foundations of Anglican belief, particularly on the issue of homosexuality and how member churches and provinces should manage related disputes. The covenant is also intended to set out principles that bind the worldwide body.

Moreover, they place their hope in Jesus Christ.

"We are hopeful for the future because our confidence is not in ourselves but in Jesus the Christ who gave his life that we might have life."