There have been numerous articles – here is an example – written about Justin Welby’s attempt to inject an illusory aura of unity into something that has been decomposing since it expired in 2003: the Anglican Communion. Rowan Williams tried to do this too by channelling Hegel; he failed miserably – does anyone remember the Covenant? – and retreated to academia.
Justin Welby is inviting the Anglican primates to a “special gathering” in January 2016 to “look afresh at our ways of working as a Communion”.
The Anglican Church of Canada has its own parochial perspective on all this. In a 2012 visit to see Justin Welby, Fred Hiltz expressed his “ongoing concern about efforts by the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) to be recognized by the Church of England”. The last thing the rapidly dwindling Anglican Church of Canada needs is more competition from another Anglican Province in North America – one that is recognised by Canterbury. Hiltz’s worst fears may be coming to a nail-biting climax since ACNA’s Foley Beach has been invited to the January 2016 gathering; it looks likely that he will attend. The Anglican Journal sees this as “fuelling the controversy”, omitting the obvious fact that the controversy was ignited by Hiltz and Jefferts-Shori in the first place when they decided to promote same-sex blessings in spite of strenuous protests from the rest of the Communion:
Fuelling the controversy was an invitation extended by Welby to Archbishop Foley Beach, head bishop of the Anglican Church in North America, to be present for part of the meeting.
Welby points out:
We each live in a different context.
“The difference between our societies and cultures, as well as the speed of cultural change in much of the global north, tempts us to divide as Christians: when the command of scripture, the prayer of Jesus, the tradition of the church and our theological understanding urges unity. A 21st-century Anglican family must have space for deep disagreement, and even mutual criticism, so long as we are faithful to the revelation of Jesus Christ, together.
If that sounds like the old familiar Anglican Fudge it’s probably because it is. The ACoC and TEC are not “faithful to the revelation of Jesus Christ”. That has always been the problem, is still the problem and unless Jesus returns before January will almost certainly continue to be the problem.
Happily, the GAFCON primates, having already been fed Anglican Fudge to the point of gagging, see what is going on perfectly clearly and have issued something that is quite unfamiliar to Western Anglicans: a lucid statement. It contains this:
It is on this basis that the GAFCON Primates will prayerfully consider their response to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s letter. They recognize that the crisis in the Communion is not primarily a problem of relationships and cultural context, but of false teaching which continues without repentance or discipline.
For my part, I am somewhat indifferent to the outcome of the “special gathering”. My main interest is to be a part of an institution that is easily identifiable as a Christian Church, something that, while sober, I could not accuse the Anglican Church of Canada of.
I just wish I could be in the room when the GAFCON primates tell Fred Hiltz and Michael Curry that they must repent of their false teaching.
Typically, in Anglican circles there are always more questions than answers.
There would only be one from me and that is…………who the hell called this meeting?
There are two serious flaws within the Anglican Communion. First and primary is the failure to discipline and defrock apostates such as Fred Hiltz, the head of the TEC and apostates supporting them. Clearly they have rejected the gospel and willingly worship the god of political correctness when they should know that while there are many gods in society (notice the small “g”) but only one God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and until the leadership within the Anglican Communion changes its worship of the small “g” there can be no union. The other problem is that the appointment of the ABC should not be subject to the approval of the civil government as such governments have no real concern for the gospel. This is proven by their actions in accepting and approving conduct that is clearly against the teachings of Scripture.
I am pleased to note that Archbishop Foley Beach has been invited to this meeting and trust that he will attempt to wake up the apostates. If not, the Anglican Church in North America and other orthodox divisions within the Anglican Communion should form their own Anglican Communion – one that is true to the Gospel.
We, the fledgling church of ancient Rome, occupy a much different cultural context. Infanticide, homosexuality, allegiance to Caesar, are accepted parts of the cultural landscape. We must be sensitive, blah, blah, blah…
So rather than a “matrix” structure where everyone is connected to everyone Welby is proposing a “wheel” or “hub and spoke” structure where everyone is connected to the CoE in the hub. Still the same club with the same members and the same problems.
Who cares about the Anglican Communion?
Vincent………….precious few. I have long since stopped to care. It is the church without gravity. The lack of teaching and tithing are two of the main reasons. There are others of course. There are a disproportionate number of people who really don’t “get it”….sadly.
Your ‘career’, legal fracases (slander), miserable language, selective outrage and medieval morals pretty much suggest that yo are the last person I would ever listen to when it comes to discerning a true christian community. I feel sorry for you.