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Anglican Essentials Canada (AEC) writes to ACC bishops
In an open letter to the bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada, sent April 10, the co-chairs of AEC, the Rev. Canon John Paul Westin and the Rev. George Sinclair, expressed grave concern about the motions proposed by the Council of General Synod. They concluded the letter by asking the House of Bishops to “… bring to the floor of Synod a motion clearly affirming those marker points of Communion as set out by the Primates' Dar es Salaam Communiqué. This will clearly assert our desire to walk in communion with Canterbury and the worldwide Anglican Church as opposed to “walking apart” from it.” Read the letter on our website.
++Hutchison criticizes the Archbishop of Canterbury (ABC)
Jonathan Petre reports, in Telegraph.co.uk, that ++Hutchison, on April 9, “…launched a stinging attack on the Archbishop of Canterbury's 'indecisive' leadership…” He is reported to have accused the ABC of “…reluctance to be decisive and take a lead on a number of occasions…” resulting in a deepening of tension in the Communion. This surprising attack comes just prior to the ABC's planned visit to Canada to meet with the Canadian House of Bishop's. ++Hutchison is reported both to have urged the ABC to meet with the US House of Bishops, as they have requested, and further told Dr. Williams to cancel next year's planned Lambeth Conference - a once-a-decade gathering of Communion bishops in Canterbury. A follow-up story in the Globe & Mail reported that ++Hutchison's office had issued a statement claiming his comments had been misconstrued. However this statement reiterated some of the criticism reported earlier.
While the Globe story is available by subscription only, the Telegraph story can be seen here.
Anglican Planet editorial blasts CoGS' motions
In a penetrating editorial on the Council of General Synod (CoGS) resolutions, the editors of the Anglican Planet call on the bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) to “stand up and exercise their God-entrusted authority to govern the Church.” The editorial sees the CoGS motions as an attempt to sideline the St. Michael's Report - even though this report was endorsed by theologians and the House of Bishops - and run roughshod over the canons and constitution of the Church. The editorial states that, “The role of CoGS is to implement the will of General Synod between sessions not to oppose it and force its own agenda upon the rest of the church. This CoGS seems to regard itself as some sort of progressive Magisterium. It needs to be reigned in.”
For the full editorial click here.
To stay informed on events in the ACC and the Communion, consider subscribing to the Anglican Planet at www.anglicanplanet.net.
ACC Primate's Theological Commission
The Primate's Theological Commission issued an urgent clarification refuting the impression that the series of resolutions approved earlier by the Council of General Synod for the consideration at the June meeting deal with The St. Michael Report, when only the one does.
The St. Michael Report is an ACC document produced in 2005 by a Primate-appointed theological commission, at the direction of General Synod, seeking an opinion on whether or not the blessing of same-sex unions is a matter of doctrine. Chaired by Bishop Victoria Matthews of Edmonton, the commission's Report concluded, "…that the blessing of same-sex unions is a matter of doctrine but is not core doctrine in the sense of being credal." Determining that this issue is a matter of doctrine is important because doctrinal matters require a more complex and lengthy process to change. In its statement, the Commission reiterated that the questions raised in the St. Michael's Report should be considered by the church, and most certainly by delegates to General Synod prior to General Synod's consideration of CoGS motions. ... more
Anglican Essentials Canada writes to General Synod delegates
The Rev. Dr. Brett Cane, chair of Essential's Initiative General Synod 2007, has sent a letter to all General Synod delegates and alternates explaining Anglican Essentials Canada's purpose and inviting them to Essentials activities during General Synod. Brett requests prayer that General Synod delegates will respond positively to the letter and material provided.
See Brett's letter to delegates.
Praying for General Synod
In the days and months leading up to this pivotal General Synod, you will want to pray with increasing urgency for our Church. Specific prayer requests include:
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For delegates and all Anglicans in Canada as they contemplate the magnitude and consequences of the resolutions that will be presented at General Synod |
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For greater awareness among Canadian Anglicans of the seriousness of the situation in our church and for many more to join us in prayer |
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For the House of Bishops as it meets in Niagara Falls April 16 to 20, 2007. They will be considering the CoGS resolutions, nominating candidates for the Primatial election and spending a day with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. |
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For the leaders and staff of Anglican Essentials Canada (AEC), Federation and Network, for much wisdom and grace to not grow weary during these difficult days. |
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For those who will give leadership to our AEC presence at General Synod that in every way the Lord Jesus and his word will be honoured and a clear witness and message of what it means to comply with the recent Primates' Communique will be offered and received. |
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For our Common Cause partners in the United States, that they will be encouraged and have the wisdom in light of TEC's House of Bishops rejection of the Primates' proposals. |
Integrity to hold pre-General Synod conference
Integrity, a group for gay Anglicans, is holding a conference in Ottawa April 13 and 14. Called “The Whole Message”, the conference will focus on ensuring that the Anglican Church of Canada reaffirms its commitment to the via media, the traditional broad path, to be an inclusive church.” ... more
US lay group calls for province in waiting to be created
The orthodox lay group Episcopalians for the Anglican Communion (LEAC) issued an urgent plea for pan-Anglican readiness after the U.S. Episcopal Church bishops rejected the Primates Dar Communiqué requests. LEAC advocates cooperation among the many US-based orthodox Anglican groups to move quickly in developing “The Anglican Church of the United States of America” as a new province-in-waiting. See www.layepiscopal.org.
++Gregory Venables responds to US House of Bishops
In a pointed response to TEC's House of Bishops rejection of the Primates requests, ++Venables said, “It is not possible to maintain relationship when one party unilaterally and coldly departs from previously agreed foundations. Now we must move to separation as quickly and as gracefully as possible. Of course, the realignment must take into account those in the United States who remain committed to historic teaching and Biblical Truth as it has been handed down. To limit further needless damage, may God have mercy on the Anglican Communion and help us come to resolution quickly.” See his full response here.
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