| THE EPISCOPAL NEW YORKER |
An Overview of Our Communion |
|
(continued) October in the Anglican Communion In the week preceding the Primates’ convocation, a meeting was convened in Dallas, Texas for those who opposed the actions of General Convention. The gathering of approximately 2000 conservative Episcopalians (sometimes called traditionalists) was a rallying point for the condemnation of General Convention actions, especially the approval of Robinson. On October 15 and 16, responding to the call from Archbishop Williams, ECUSA Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold joined the 37 of the 38 Anglican Primates who met for two days of discussion about Robinson and General Convention as well as the equally-controversial authorization of same-sex blessings in the Anglican Church of Canada. At the conclusion of the closed-door sessions, a statement was released signed by the 37 attending Primates. Among the key phrases were: “If his [Robinson’s] consecration proceeds, we recognise that we have reached a crucial and critical point in the life of the Anglican Communion and we have had to conclude that the future of the Communion itself will be put in jeopardy. In this case, the ministry of this one bishop will not be recognised by most of the Anglican world, and many provinces are likely to consider themselves to be out of Communion with the Episcopal Church (USA)....” Further, the Primates charged Archbishop Williams to establish a commission “to consider his own role in maintaining communion within and between provinces when grave difficulties arise.…We request that such a commission complete its work, at least in relation to the issues raised at this meeting, within 12 months.” The commission members have been named, with Archbishop Robin Eames of Ireland as the leader. The only member from ECUSA is Bishop Mark Dyer, Director of Spiritual Formation at Virginia Theological Seminary. The Primates’ meeting sparked further reaction from throughout the Anglican Communion. Bishop Sisk declared, “The statement released by the Primates of the Anglican Communion, regarding the recent controversial developments in the area of human sexuality, is an honest and clear outline of the current division we feel and the important fellowship we share. Our faith calls us to seek unity, without demanding uniformity. Such a demanding task requires everyone to perceive the profound interconnectedness of all life — what happens in one province can have a deep impact on many other provinces. Our baptismal life compels us to find in the heart of controversy an opportunity to search for charity and truth. The Primates have displayed a courageous example of fidelity to that baptismal duty. Dialogue should be central, not fatal. We are grateful that a commitment to prayer, study and discernment is our first step into our uncertain future. I invite the Episcopal Diocese of New York to continue in this struggle of witnessing to the Gospel, by engaging at deeper levels these outstanding issues.” When he arrived back in the USA, PB Griswold issued two important documents: “A Word to the Church” and a letter to ECUSA clergy. In his letters he addressed the “burdens” that many are facing and the possible reactions following Robinson’s consecration. Concluding the busy calendar of events in October was a meeting of the Executive Council of ECUSA, whose elected members include Bishop Suffragan Catherine Roskam and Diane Pollard of Crucifixion, Manhattan. The Executive Council’s letter to ECUSA focused on the inclusiveness of the church. “As your Executive Council we commit to continue this dialogue, to listen carefully to the perspectives of all the members of the church, and to speak with respect and charity. We believe there is room in our church for a wide spectrum of opinion and perspective. We seek the highest possible level of communion with our brothers and sisters across our church and among Anglicans around the world. We believe much more unites us than divides us. We invite all in the church to join with us in this effort and to follow the example set by the General Convention in addressing divisive issues with civility, openness and charity.” (continued) |