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Would you like a visit from Network leaders? We're planning a “tour”
Network leaders will be available in January and early February to visit groups considering the episcopal care option now available from Bishop Don and Archbishop Venables. These information sessions will allow faithful Anglicans to hear about the option and the implications and have their questions answered. If you have a group that would like to hear from Network leaders, please contact the Rev Desiree Stedman as soon as possible at admin@anglicannetwork.ca. During the early part of December, we will be organizing these trips in a way that makes the most efficient use possible of people's time and the finances you entrust to us. If you have questions or need assistance that can't wait until January, please email Desiree and we'll be in touch.
More on Network's conference November 22-23
Thanks - Our sincere thanks to the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to create an excellent conference. The fellowship and spirit of the Burlington conference were just what we needed to encourage and support us through the coming months.
Highlights - The announcement of Bishop Don's welcome under the Primatial authority of Archbishop Gregory Venables, a man well known and dearly loved by many faithful Anglicans in Canada, set the scene for the Anglican Network in Canada's national conference in Burlington this past week. From there, the announcements followed thick and fast. The conference - attended by around 280 people representing at least 70 churches -started with news that Bishop Malcolm Harding had joined Bishop Don under the Primatial authority of Archbishop Greg. A video was shown of Archbishop Greg greeting Network members several letters conveying encouragement and support from Primates, bishops and Anglican leaders from all over the Communion were read aloud. The conference concluded Friday on a high note with word that two congregations, Church of the Resurrection in Hope (BC) and St John's Richmond (BC), had elected to receive episcopal care from Bishop Don and Archbishop Greg. The rectors of these churches - the Rev Dr Archie Pell and the Rev Sean Love - also received licences from Bishop Don.
The conference online - Conference presentations, handouts, photos, news releases and letters of support from throughout the Communion are available at: www.anglicannetwork.ca
Blog is buzzing - During the conference, the blog was busy, getting over 8000 hits the first day. Activity remains high with no lack of topics and willing participants.
Just for laughs - Bishop Don (or, in Spanish, Obispo Don) was presented with a 'Spanish immersion kit' - a map of South America, a flag of Argentina, a Spanish/English New Testament, Spanish for Dummies on CD, a South American cookbook, and a CD of Spanish music.
Some points to ponder - Dr JI Packer told the conference that, anyone who calls what the Network is doing “schismatic” does not know what schism is. In fact, when a group disassociates from a situation that has become unorthodox and seriously distorts the gospel, this is not schism but realignment.
Chris Sugden, of Anglican Mainstream, told the conference that “The average Anglican is black, female, under 30, has 3 children, lives on 2 dollars a day, walks 3 km for water, is related to someone with HIV/Aids, and is evangelical… How wonderful it is that God has so brought it about that for your ongoing Anglican identity you need the oversight of bishops from a diocese of the poor. I hope you will embrace your provincial obligations of fellowship warmly…”
Network announces a program for “Orphaned Anglicans”
The Rev Desiree Stedman has initiated a program for biblically faithful Anglicans who feel isolated in their own parishes. The program is designed to provide encouragement and support by linking these Orphans with each other or with other Anglicans who will commit to providing support and spiritual encouragement, even if “long distance”.
One “orphan” recently wrote the Network to say, “…until only a week ago, I didn't know your organization existed. I have felt very alone in my parish church and know there are others who cannot speak up. We have been effectively silenced by "love" which is extensively preached.”
Archbishop Hiltz and Metropolitans denounce Network
A “pastoral statement” issued by the Primate and the four Metropolitan Archbishops is to be read on Sunday in Anglican churches across Canada. The statement denounces Archbishop Venables and the Network for offering pastoral care for faithful Canadian Anglicans. Astonishingly, the statement appeals to Anglican tradition, the Windsor Report and the Primates communiqués as a basis for rejecting extraterritorial “incursions”, while ignoring the fact that it was the defiant “innovations” in the ACC (and TEC) that prompted the Windsor Report, initiated the repeated calls for repentance from the Primates and defied Anglican teaching and tradition. Had the ACC remained true to Scripture, Christian teaching and Anglican tradition, there would be no need for faithful Canadian Anglicans to seek refuge under the wings of other Provinces.
This “pastoral statement” follows a similar denunciation from the Council of General Synod meeting in mid-November. Several dioceses have also written similar “pastoral letters” including Edmonton, Niagara, Calgary and New Westminster, although some have commented they are having difficulty seeing the “pastoral” component.
Bishop Don & Archbishop Greg respond to ACC's “pastoral letter'
Archbishop Greg, commenting on the pastoral statement's glossing over the real cause of the crisis and the ACC's tolerance of violations of Communion standards, said, “Now suddenly those who seek to take care of those who side with historic, biblical Christianity and the Anglican Communion are accused of the very lapse that has produced the crisis.”
In his response, Bishop Don said, “Rather than being the cause of broken fellowship, the provision of Primatial oversight from Archbishop Venables is, in fact, a response to the existing broken fellowship - both within Canada and between Canada and much of the rest of the Communion.”
However, both responses refrained from pointing out that diocesan border crossing is not contrary to core doctrine, in the sense of being creedal. (Thanks to our Pembroke member who gave us this chuckle!)
100 Huntley Street to air report on Network's conference
A report on our conference will air Dec. 4 on 100 Huntley Street. Check your local listings for times and channels to view the show.
Special thanks to Crossroads Communications - originators of 100 Huntley Street. Crossroads graciously provided the facilities for our recent conference and proved to be wonderful hosts.
The Network in the news
In the last few weeks, there have been numerous reports in the media, on websites and in blogs about the Network, our conference and recent developments. These are just a few of those reports:
Anglican Journal, Council expresses sadness over bishop's departure, by Marites Sison, Nov 17
National Post, Bishop gives Anglicans new option, by Charles Lewis, Nov 18
St John's Telegram, Anglican angst: Retired Newfoundland bishop drawing attention over criticism of church, Paul Banks, front page, Nov 18 - “We are retaining what was always there. It's the leadership [of the Anglican Church of Canada] that's doing any breaking away… and trying to change standards. We are not leaving anything. We are staying with the Anglican church as we have known it.” (Quote in article from Bishop Don)
NOTE: This story appeared in the St John's paper the same day a letter from the Bishop of Newfoundland was read in all diocesan churches announcing and denouncing Bishop Don's move.
Reuters, Conservative Anglicans shun Canada for S. America, by Randall Palmer, Nov 19
Anglican Journal, Bishop protests unauthorized ordinations, by Marites N. Sison Nov 20
Globe & Mail, 'Full-blown schism' in church, Anglican bishop says, by Michael Valpy,
Nov 21
CanadianChristianity.com, Anglican Church in "full-blown schism”, by Jim Coggins,
Nov 22
The Times, Pope to discuss influx of Anglicans, by Ruth Gledhill, Nov 22
National Post, Anglican Church offshoot launched, by Charles Lewis, Nov 23 - “Schism means unwarranted and unjustified separation from the rest of the Church (structure), causing an indefensible breach of unity," said J.I. Packer, a Canadian who Time magazine called one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America. "Those who are unfaithful to the heritage are the schismatics. It is not we who are the schismatics."
Anglican Mainstream gave tremendous coverage to the Network conference
Globe & Mail, Anglicans, archbishop up in arms over schism in church, by Michael Valpy, Nov 24
National Post, Bishop to blame for schism, by George Egerton, Nov 27 - “Michael Ingham, Bishop of New Westminster, B.C., has warned that "full-blown schism" has fallen upon the Anglican Church of Canada. The Bishop has failed, however, to mention that most of the global Anglican communion considers Bishop Ingham a schismatic, and many of the large national churches of Anglicanism, in Africa, Asia and South America, have suspended their communion with him. In their opinion, Bishop Ingham is the one who has broken with the clear teaching of Anglicanism, as expressed in Lambeth conferences and in the conciliar deliberations of the leaders of Anglican national churches, the Primates -- most notably in the Windsor Report, which Bishop Ingham and his diocese have defied.”
LifeSiteNews, Official Split in Canadian Anglican Communions "likely to get messy", by Tony Gosnach, Nov 27
CanadianChristianity.com, Conservative Anglicans to establish new Canadian denomination, by Jim Coggins, Nov 29
Anglican Journal, Church leaders call dissidents' actions 'unwelcome and invalid', by Solange De Santis, Nov 29
Anglican Journal, South American province opens arms to dissenting Canadian parishes, by Solange De Santis, Nov 29
Reuters, Canada Anglican hierarchy seeks Canterbury rescue, by Randall Palmer, Nov 29
Telegraph-Journal, Anglican Church division was caused by liberals, by Charles Moore, Nov 29
Church of England Newspaper, Bishops without borders launched in Canada, by Chris Sugden, Nov 30 - “Bishop Harvey declared the revolution in his Pastoral Charge to the newly launched Church: “There is no reference in the Bible to a diocese, border, or boundary. I have heard 'Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel'. We have lawyers and doctors and engineers without borders. We are launching bishops without borders.””
Anglican Journal, South American archbishop sees 'denial' and 'hypocrisy' in Canadian leaders' statement, by Solange De Santis, Nov 30, 2007 - “Canadian Anglican leaders are practicing “either denial or hypocrisy” when they criticize bishops who want to cross national and diocesan jurisdictions to minister to congregations that are conservative on the issue of homosexuality, said Archbishop Gregory Venables, primate, or national archbishop, of the South American Province of the Southern Cone.”
The Ottawa Citizen, Ottawa church joins global Anglican battle, by Jennifer Green,
Nov 30
Toronto Star, Anglican leader blasts breakaway groups, Stuart Laidlaw, Nov 30
Anglican Church of Canada issues preliminary response to Covenant
Saying “the timeframe proposed is impossibly short” to “prepare a response that truly speaks for the Anglican Church of Canada”, the ACC's “response” did point out concerns with some sections of the Covenant.
Federation-Network joint statement of mutual support and fellowship
In view of recent Network announcements, the Anglican Essentials Federation and Anglican Network in Canada issued a joint statement of mutual support and continued fellowship.
Niagara embraces same-sex blessings
On November 17, the Diocese of Niagara voted overwhelmingly to endorse same-sex blessings. Unlike similar synod votes in Ottawa and Montreal, Bishop Spence seems to have given his assent and same sex blessings are expected to proceed in Niagara as soon as a protocol is ironed out. In an Anglican Journal story, Bishop Spence acknowledges that this decision violates the 'pastoral statement' reaffirmed by the House of Bishops at their October meeting.
Bishops pressure faithful clergy
A number of biblically faithful clergy have been summoned to meetings with their bishops since the Network Conference and more are scheduled. Please pray that each priest will witness faithfully to God's word, love, power and grace.
We especially ask for your prayers for Rev. Charlie Masters who has been summoned to a meeting with the bishops, chancellor and solicitor of Niagara diocese later this week. Charlie will have legal representation with him and we ask your prayers for protection and that God may be honoured in all that is said and done by Charlie and his legal counsel.
We continue to ask the Anglican Church of Canada for a 90 day grace period to allow congregations to prayerfully and peacefully examine the facts and discern their future.
US news
The US Diocese of San Joaquin will consider the option of Primatial oversight from Archbishop Greg Venables at their early-December convention.
TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori admitted in court that she forced Bishop Peter Lee and the Diocese of Virginia to sue 11 churches which sought refuge from the Anglican Province of Nigeria. Bishop Lee had been negotiating amicable buy-outs with the churches. Anglican District of Virginia Vice-Chairman, Jim Oakes, commenting on the legal proceedings said: At the end of the day, God owns the property and He will do what he wants with it… The courts may decide where we will worship, but we have collectively decided that we will indeed worship Him, and that we will remain faithful to His claim on our lives.
The Diocese of Fort Worth convention approved first reading of constitutional changes needed to allow it to seek alternative Primatial oversight on November 17. The convention also initiated a report on the implications and means of seeking oversight from Archbishop Venables.
International news
Archbishop Drexel Gomez of the Province of the West Indies, while fervently praying there would not be a split in the Communion told his synod that, "The split - if it occurs - will be about the most fundamental of all questions: the nature of reality. Which relationships correspond to God's ordering of life, and which violate it?”
The Church of England Newspaper reports that “a majority of primates have rejected the conclusions of the Anglican Consultative Council/Primates Joint Standing Committee (JSC), and have told the Archbishop of Canterbury… the Episcopal Church has failed… to honor the recommendations of the Windsor Report and the Primates' Dar es Salaam communiqué. The majority rejection of the JSC report… marks an unprecedented repudiation of the competence and judgment of the central apparatus of the Anglican Consultative Council.”
Former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu weighs in on homosexuality and the Communion. (40 minute audio recording of BBC program) Gavin Mitchell of Anglican Mainstream Southern Africa quickly expressed disappointment with Tutu's statements, saying they reflected a failure to understand the nature of the crisis, which is about the centrality of the Bible, what members of our church believe (our doctrine), and how we live out that belief in our daily lives (our moral standards).
About the Southern Cone and Archbishop Gregory Venables
The Anglican Province of the Southern Cone is one of the smaller provinces numerically but one of the larger provinces geographically, covering six countries from Tierra del Fuego to northern Peru - Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay. It has 22,490 members (according to the Anglican Journal, closer to 40,000 by other accounts) and was established as a province in 1981 but existed as a diocese since the mid-19th century, under the province of Canterbury. Anglican missionaries and immigrants went to South America in the 19th century.
Archbishop Greg is a British citizen who has been ministering in South America since the 1970s. He was ordained in 1984, became suffragan bishop of Peru and Bolivia in 1993, bishop of Bolivia in 1995, and presiding bishop of the Southern Cone in 2001. The Anglican Journal posted a good article on November 30, based on an interview with Archbishop Greg.
Conference lost and found
Two Bibles were left at the conference:
• Student Bible with 2 verses written on the inside cover: Phil. 2:12 & Psalm 40:11-13
• Bible containing a folder for a parish in the Diocese of Ottawa
If either belongs to you, please call St. George's Church Lowville at 905-878-1363.
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