The first meeting of the Common Cause Leadership Council created the structure necessary for building a federation of orthodox Anglicans in North America. Three delegates from each of the ten Common Cause partners gathered in Orlando, Florida December 17-18. The Council unanimously elected Bishop Bob Duncan as Moderator. Delegates also elected Canon Charlie Masters of Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) as General Secretary and Mrs. Patience Oruh of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) as Treasurer. The Leadership Council recognized the ratification of a statement of theology and formed the committees called for by the Common Cause articles of confederation adopted in September 2007. A communiqué from the Common Cause Leadership Council can be found below.
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Communiqué
We, the gathered bishops, priests and lay representatives of the Anglican bodies federated in Common Cause held the first annual meeting as the newly formed Common Cause Leadership Council of the Common Cause Partnership on December 18th, 2007, in Orlando, Florida.
We created the structure called for in the Articles of Federation now adopted by nine of our partners. We elected officers of the Federation and formed an executive committee, as well as other committees and task forces. We have also begun work to harmonize and strengthen our common call to Christian education and mission. We expect these committees and task forces to begin work early in the New Year. We are beginning to explore the expanding possibilities for ecumenical contact with fellow Christians in North America and around the world.
Our actions today dramatically reversed the fragmentation and separation of the past. We stand committed to the “faith once delivered to the saints” as expressed in our now ratified theological statement. The Common Cause Partnership is united in faith with the vast majority of members of the worldwide Anglican Communion. We are especially grateful for the support and recognition given to us by the provinces of the Global South that have encouraged us to come together in common cause for the Gospel. We are particularly thankful for the presence with us of Archbishop Yong Ping Chung, the recently retired primate of the Province of Southeast Asia and one of the earliest supporters of the rebirth of orthodox Anglicanism in North America, representing the Anglican Coalition in Canada.
Each Common Cause Partner will continue to live out its unique role, maintaining its distinctive ministry and character, noting the provision of the Articles of Federation that “the autonomy of the individual Jurisdictions and Ministries, and their constituent bodies, is in no way restricted or superseded by membership.” In the months and years ahead we anticipate a growing number of joint mission initiatives that will strengthen our witness as united and faithful Anglicans in North America. “So in Christ, we who are many, form one body…” (Rom. 12:5). To God be the Glory.
20 December 2007 at 10:05 am
Praise be to God! Finally, men who not only have found their spines and are standing up for “Truth”, but who have acted out of deep and sincere conviction to honor our Lord and His Word.
Orthodoxy, ah such a sweet smell.
I pray that others will join the cause.
God bless us one and all.
SBerry
20 December 2007 at 12:28 pm
Just what the Doctor ordered, eh?
Orthodoxy? Certainly not orthpraxy, though.
We shall see what God wants, in the end.
21 December 2007 at 1:19 am
Fr. Ron,
“Orthopraxy?” I took you to task once before about using “big” words which you apparently fail to understand the meaning of. And, as Pres. Reagan used to say, “There you go again.”
Your comments (and lack of understanding the English language) are not helpful to this discussion.
Your comment implies that those who are taking a stand for Truth, Integrity, Honesty, Morality, Self Discipline, and most importantly, seeking to be faithful to the Word of God and their ordination vows are not following correct practice? Yet, the TEC, from your opinion is? Hummm?
The TEC has not followed “true” orthopraxy for a long time. Just where is the orthopraxy in sanctioning the “Blessing” of homosexual partners? Just where is the orthopraxy in the “Coronation” of an active practicing homosexual as a Bishop? Just where is the orthopraxy in rejecting the Word of God … oh the list could go on and on.
The Apostle Paul spoke prophetically when he said:
2Tim 3:1
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, not loving what is good, 4 traitors, headstrong, having been puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from these people turn away! 6 For of these are those who creep into houses and captivate gullible women having been loaded down with sins, who are led by various lusts, 7 always learning and never being able to come to a full knowledge of the truth.”
It is amazing how St. Paul’s comments to Timothy speak to the current situation in the TEC.
SBerry
01 January 2008 at 11:33 am
Yes, Doctor Berry.
But read what Paul says to the WHOLE CHURCH in his Letter to the Colossians 3:12-17 - which is the Epistle for the First Sunday after Christmas:
“As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, meekness and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a comaplaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.
Above all, clothe yourselves with love (agape).”