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Anglican Schism ? Archbishop Rowan Williams Strives to Preserve the Communion

On Sept. 3 Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams came back from study leave to face the music. The primate of the Church of England and the Anglican Communion does not want to go down in history as the archbishop who presided over the disintegration of that communion. So far, against the odds, he has held together this worldwide grouping of 38 self-governing provinces counting more than 70 million Christians. He has sought to make space for all contending parties to be heard: notably the "inclusive" liberals led by the American Anglicans of the Episcopal church, who in 2003 ordained as bishop a divorced man, Gene Robinson, now living with a gay partner, and, at the other end of the spectrum, the conservative evangelicals, especially those of the "Global South" - the expanding Anglican churches of the Third World, above all in Africa - who have accused the North Americans of "following another religion." A crunch is approaching at the end of September, when the Episcopal church has been asked to declare that it will no longer bring forward candidates for the episcopate who are living in same-sex unions, and that no bishop will authorize same-sex blessings.
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Bishop Tells Convention to Persevere in Diversity

"Though the winds of change sweep round about us, we are still here. We have a reason to be," said Bishop Dean E. Wolfe. "Though we are challenged by shifting population patterns and by a culture that values the easy answer over the hard question, we are still here. We have a reason to be. Though mean-spirited websites and vitriolic emails conspire to twist our theology and besmirch the reputation of our beloved denomination, we are still here. Though priests and bishops, foreign and domestic, fail to observe the most ancient courtesies and call that 'conservatism,' and risk the unity, doctrine and discipline of the Church and call that 'orthodoxy,' we have a reason to be."
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After Anglican Meeting, Episcopal Church on Notice

Holding to goals of unity and reconciliation, the leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion have taken key steps that buy time for healing in the deeply divided global body.

But they also served notice on the Episcopal Church, Anglicanism's US branch, that it must give convincing proof of an intent to abide by traditional practices with regard to homosexuality.
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Dallas Via Media responds to Dar es Salaam Communique

Setting the Record Straight

Claim: That only two or three of the autonomous churches of the Anglican Communion accept women as bishops.

Fact: A chart provided by the Anglican Communion Secretariat in 2003 lists three autonomous provinces of the Anglican Communion as having chosen and consecrated women as bishops. However, Brazil, Central America, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Scotland, Southern African, and the Sudan ordain women as priests and have no canonical bars to women bishops. The Church of England is in the process of amending its canons to allow women to become bishops, and Australia very narrowly defeated a similar measure at its last Synod.
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Alternative Primatial Oversight: Questions Answered

Salvation Though Christ Alone

I have seen with some alarm the way in which resolution B058 is being used around the church, including in a newsletter article by Bishop Stanton of Dallas. Since I am the one who moved discharge of that resolution, here is my reasoning:
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A Statement from Dallas Clergy

We, the undersigned priests of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, hereby state our intent to remain members of The Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

We make this response to the statement made by the Standing Committee of the Diocese calling for "disassociation" from the actions and leadership of The Episcopal Church. We will not participate in any such "disassociation."
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To a Church in Transition: a Message from Via Media USA

Via Media USA is grateful for the hope and faith so vividly evident during The Episcopal Church's 2006 General Convention. Many of its actions show a church that effectively carries forward the work God has given it to do at home and abroad.
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An Open Letter to Bishop James M. Stanton

We the undersigned are deeply disturbed by the Standing Committee's call (dated July 3, 2006) asking you to pursue "an appropriate realignment" or, if it becomes necessary, an "ordered and mutually respectful separation of congregations and dioceses" from the Episcopal Church.

The Standing Committee has no canonical authority to speak for the Diocese nor is it authorized to act for the Diocese in this matter. As you have acknowledged, only the Convention of this Diocese can act on the "recommendations" of the Standing Committee and only the General Convention of the Episcopal Church can dissolve this Diocese.
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Episcopal Church Supporters Counter Network Videos

A Report from the (Pittsburgh) Diocesan Clergy Day

The Rector invited me to provide this update from the clergy gathering held on January 19. It is tempting to title this News from a Parallel Universe. We met with the announced topic of discussing how we will deal with potential fallout from General Convention 2006. Bishop Duncan began with his observations that "the conflict playing itself out in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion will not come to an end any time soon."
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Introduction to General Convention

With few precedents for a republican form of church governance the first General Convention met in 1785 in Philadelphia. That convention began work on a constitution and a revision of the Book of Common Prayer, the church's book of worship. Within ten years the General Convention had agreed on its form of governance and its pattern of worship, both of which endure to the present day.
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Scripture and Sexuality

Archbishop of Wales Barry Morgan has a number of very well thought-through things to say about Scripture and Sexuality. In particular, he offers a more nuanced look at Lambeth than is common in the midst of the heated discussions going on. He also takes pains to point out that Lambeth is not a legislature. We commend this long and thoughtful essay to all of our readers.
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Local Vestries Issue Position Statements

We have published on this site three specific examples of the actions by vestries in the Diocese of Dallas in response to the question of unity with ECUSA and the Anglican Communion. Many other parishes are working within their own councils to clarify for themselves their position. Some may be struggling to formulate their statements.
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A Delegate's Notes on the 110th Annual Diocesan Convention

Double Standards

Much of the conversation about sexuality that threatens to consume us is concerned with standards of behavior - what they are, what they should be and whether they are being applied fairly and equally.

What makes this conversation most difficult for me is that the discernment and application of standards -- whether single, double or otherwise -- seems almost exclusively limited to matters of sex. I find that not merely curious, but in truth, quite dangerous.
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Why Should We Care About the Anglican Communion?

These are heady times for the Anglican Communion. It seems as if barely a week goes by without some international body, or some political interest group, within the Anglican Communion trying to assert who is currently in, or out, of this odd worldwide family of churches. Such internecine family squabbles make for great media headlines that are all too quick to scream: "See how the Christians love one another."
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What Kind of Church Do We Want the Anglican Communion to Be?

I think a great deal of our recent struggles have been attempts to answer that question. While much of the debate has been played out around issues of sexuality, biblical interpretation, ecclesiastical authority, or cultural values, these are only the outward and visible signs of a much deeper struggle. The core question is about community.
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North American Churches Respond to the ACC

At the 13th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council, held June 19-28 at the University of Nottingham, England, the Episcopal Church, USA and the Anglican Church of Canada were invited to respond to the request made in paragraph 135 of the Windsor Report.

Online resources are now available for both the ECUSA, as well as the Anglican Church of Canada.

Consider Entirety of Windsor Report, VTS Associate Dean Advises

It is just as impossible for the Episcopal Church to "walk away" from "communion" as it is for a believer to "walk away" from the all-embracing love of Christ, according to the Rev. Michael Battle, associate dean of academic affairs and vice president of Virginia Theological Seminary.

Fr. Battle, who will be among the delegation from the Episcopal Church making a theological explanation t o the Anglican Consultative Council next month, was the keynote speaker at Facing Windsor and Beyond, a forum on the Windsor Report. The April 30 event was held at the Church of the Ascension in Dallas and sponsored by the Via Media chapter in that diocese.
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APLM Council issues Statement on Impaired Fellowship

The Council of the Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission (APLM), at its annual meeting in Estes Park, Colorado, April 6-11, issued a statement addressing "The Scandal of Impaired Fellowship in the Anglican Communion". The statement was sent to the special meeting of the Executive Council as a resource to assist the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada in their respective presentations to the Anglican Consultative Council in June.
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In Our Many Voices

"In Our Many Voices" is a Via Media USA report on the state of the Episcopal Church in the dioceses in which we are active, and on our particular ministries within them. Via Media USA is an alliance of thirteen groups in twelve dioceses around the country that have gathered together to preserve and protect the unity and integrity of the Episcopal Church.
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Dallas Special Convention Resolutions

Resolutions passed by the Diocese of Dallas meeting in Special Convention at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Saturday, May 14, 2005:

1. RESOLVED, the Diocese of Dallas meeting in Special Convention on May 14, 2005 at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, receives, accepts and endorses the Windsor Report, and pledges to comply fully with its proposals and expectations; and, be it further

RESOLVED, the Diocese of Dallas, a part of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, hereby affirms its constitutional responsibility for being a constituent member of the Anglican Communion based upon the Preamble of the Constitution of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.

2. WHEREAS, this Special Convention of the One-Hundred Ninth Annual Convention of the Diocese of Dallas has enjoyed the hospitality and use of the facilities and assistance of the able staff and members of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church for this Special Convention;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this Special Convention of the One-Hundred Ninth Annual Convention of the Diocese of Dallas does hereby extend its appreciation to the Rev. Mark Anschutz and the staff and parishioners of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church for their gracious hospitality extended to the delegates and visitors at this convention.

Belief Pledge To Be Required of Episcopalians

At the annual meeting of the Anglican Communion Network April 18-20, 2005 in Bedford, TX., the organization drafted a belief pledge entitled the Windsor Action Covenant that every bishop, clergy and lay member will be asked to sign, professing their allegiance to the "historic faith" as interpreted by Network aligned Bishops, including Dallas Bishop James M. Stantion.

The Rev. Mark Harris has written a worthwhile essay on this topic which can be found via the link below. Please read the documents and make your wishes known to your clergy, vestry, diocesan convention delegates and to the Bishop.
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HoB Adopts 'Covenant Statement'

From the Episcopal News Service, Mar. 15, 2005, "The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church adopted, by nearly unanimous vote late this afternoon, "A Covenant Statement" that includes "a provisional measure to contribute to a time for healing and for the educational process called for in the Windsor Report"

The bishops have widely praised the spirit of collaboration and collegiality that marked their framing of the Statement."
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From the HoB: A Word to the Church

The following Word to the Church was issued by the House of Bishops as it adjourned its meeting at Camp Allen in Navasota, Texas.
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Ascension Disaffiliates from the Network

A second parish within the Diocese of Dallas, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Dallas, has decided to disaffiliate their parish from the Network. This follows a similar action by the vestry of St. Thomas the Apostle, Dallas, last March.
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Saturated in Scripture

One reason I love the Episcopal Church is because we are saturated in Scripture. Holy Scripture is at the core of each of the services in the Book of Common Prayer. Not only do we hear four different Bible selections each Sunday, but the liturgy is also filled with quotations from and allusions to the Bible. Whether in the Collect of the Day or the Great Thanksgiving (communion prayer) the words of Scripture fill our ears and hearts.
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ELCA: The Church and Homosexuality

"How can theologians and scholars look at the same biblical texts and reach such differing conclusions on the question of homosexuality?" According to one of our editors, that question is most deftly and thoroughly addressed in a paper from The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) entitled Background Essay on Biblical Texts for the Task Force for ELCA Studies on Sexuality. It is a long, major study of biblical texts on this issue, and very accessible for lay persons and church discussion groups. Note that the ELCA has been in a relationship of full communion with The Episcopal Church since their 1999 Churchwide Assembly.
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Pittsburgh Convention Approves Nullification of National Actions

The convention of the Diocese of Pittsburgh voted November 5 to permit nullification of decisions of the Episcopal Church's General Convention with which a majority of the diocese disagrees.

The convention also failed to reelect the Very Rev. George Werner, former dean of Trinity Cathedral, Pittsburgh, and president of the House of Deputies, as one of its eight deputies to the General Convention.

Bishop threatens parishes with expulsion
And in a surprise move, diocesan bishop Robert Duncan announced that next year's convention will be asked to consider dissolving its relationship with two congregations that have challenged diocesan leaders in court.
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A Place of Common Beginning

It's all about where you start, a place of common beginning. "No one comes to me unless the Father who sent me draws him...." (John 6:44)
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Letter from St. Thomas to the Diocese of Dallas

On March 24, 2004, the Vestry of St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church in Dallas sent the following letter to the Diocese of Dallas concerning provisional membership in "the Network."
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Presiding Bishop Conveys Concern About Pastoral Boundaries

"Emphasizing the Anglican Primates' agreement that "bishops are to respect the boundaries of one another's dioceses and provinces," Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold today sent a letter of concern to Archbishop Henry L. Orombi after a third Southern California congregation yesterday aligned with the Ugandan Diocese of Luweero."
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A Pastoral Letter from the Bishop of Los Angeles

The Bishop of Los Angeles responds to the news that the vestries of two Southern California congregations have voted to leave the ECUSA and align themselves under the pastoral oversight of a Ugandan bishop.
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UPDATE: Bruno inhibits breakaway Los Angeles clergy
Via Media USA's letter to Bp. Bruno

A Pastoral Letter from the Bishop of West Tennessee

Earlier this year, conservative Bishop Don Johnson of West Tennessee sent the following pastoral letter to Episcopalians in his Diocese. "As the Bishop of The Diocese of West Tennessee, it is my privilege to serve beside you in witness to Christ. In this particular circumstance, I do so now as one who must uphold the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Church I have sworn to defend."
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UPDATE: In the first part of his Aug. 23 pastoral letter, Bp. Johnson describes inhibiting four priests who broke from their diocese to affiliate with the AMiA or the Anglican Diocese of Thika (a diocese of the Province of Kenya).
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St. Thomas Newsletter

""Provisional" membership in The Network! The Executive Council of the Diocese voted last week to make us "provisionally" a part of The Network..." Continue reading Fr. Waller's response to "provisional" membership in The Network in the March 15, 2004 newsletter from St. Thomas.
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Conservative Bishops Defy Episcopal Church

Last March, "six defiant congregations joined ... in a confirmation service led by bishops acting without permission from the Diocese of Ohio. Under Episcopal law and liturgy, confirmations are performed only by local bishops or visiting bishops approved by the head of the host diocese - in this case Bishop J. Clark Grew II of Cleveland." As revealed earlier in The Chapman Memo, these actions cast doubt upon statements made by organizations like the American Anglican Council that they intend to work within the structure of the ECUSA.
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Letter to the Eames Commission

On July 16, the members of Via Media USA sent the following to the Lambeth Commission chaired by Archbishop Robin Eames, Primate of All Ireland (popularly known as the "Eames Commission")." The members of Via Media USA (VMUSA) are appreciative of your invitation to add our voice to the many you have already heard. We are also appreciative that you have posted so much of the received material on your website. We will briefly share our experience and position with you..."
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The Chapman Memo

In Dec. of 2003, the Rev. Geoff Chapman, Rector of St Stephen's in Sewickley, PA (Diocese of Pittsburgh) wrote a memo to various American Anglican Council (AAC) members advocating widespread disobedience to church law in 2004. This document clearly shows that, despite claims to the contrary, leaders of the AAC and other "traditionalists" intend to severely challenge the authority of ECUSA bishops.
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Yes +Dallas, there is a Via Media

"Grant that we may maintain that middle way, not as a compromise for the sake of peace, but as a comprehension for the sake of truth." So begins an essay by the Rev. Michael Russell on the gift of the Via Media.
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Exodus. Numbers. Judges.

As conservative parishes leave the Episcopal Church, who shall inherit the real estate? Elizabeth Austin, Chicago writer and practicing Episcopalian, explores this issue for the magazine Legal Affairs.
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