Global South Anglican

The problem is that… [Katharine Jefferts Schori] is on a direct collision course with the rest of the Anglican Communion. And, while she will not admit it in so many words, it has become increasingly clear that Bishop Schori and her supporters know perfectly well that their actions will end in a final break with Canterbury and the Global South. The church’s Executive Council has already proposed the formation of an “Anglican Convocation of the Americas,” comprising liberal churches such as ECUSA, Canada, and Brazil. Even the Episcopal Church’s name no longer officially includes reference to the United States, which Bishop Schori has stated reflects the “transnational” character (better put, “ambition”) of the church. Liberal voices from England and elsewhere have signaled their desire to join such a convocation, which almost certainly will set itself up as a “progressive” alternative to mainstream Anglicanism. More at First Things

Last week two large, historic evangelical churches in the Washington area began moves to leave The Episcopal Church. They wish to put themselves under the jurisdiction of the Anglican Church of Nigeria (of which the Convocation for Anglicans in North America is part). Although the pressures on evangelicals in the US are great, upsetting the ‘Windsor Process’ by these new ‘trans-communion interventions’ is regrettable at this delicate stage in Anglican reshaping. 

Forty years ago, our predecessors, Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey, met together in this city sanctified by the ministry and the blood of the Apostles Peter and Paul. They began a new journey of reconciliation based on the Gospels and the ancient common traditions. Centuries of estrangement between Anglicans and Catholics were replaced by a new desire for partnership and co-operation, as the real but incomplete communion we share was rediscovered and affirmed…

A thoughtful article by Dr Ephraim Radner and Dr Andrew Goddard, addressing the concerns surrounding homosexuality, the law and human rights, over at Fulcrum

Global South Steering Committee Report from the meetings on Nov 15-17, 2006

“With great sadness and yet firm conviction we took this initial step toward our respective votes.”
-Tom Wilson, Senior Warden, The Falls Church

As indicated in the Kigali Communiqué (September 2006), we will be holding a consultation with the leadership of Episcopal dioceses requesting Alternative Primatial Oversight (APO).  Our aim is to investigate their appeal in greater detail and identify possible responses. 

We will also meet leaders from dioceses who may not have specifically requested for APO, but will like to explore together what the steps forward may be.

We will meet after the Nov 12-15 Anglican Relief and Development Fund (ARDF) Trustees meeting, at a separate location.

Since these consultations are confidential there will be no provision for media access. We would, however, welcome your prayers.

A number of the primates have also been sent an invitation by Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori. They will be responding to her in due course through private communication.

Archbishop John Chew,
Secretary for Global South Steering Committee
8 November 2006

The St Augustine’s Seminar, to be held next week in London, has as its task the fine-tuning of the programme of the Lambeth Conference 2008. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams said, in a recent pastoral letter, ‘the St Augustine’s Seminar, in a new format, will be digesting what emerges from the process and working towards a full programme. 

Leading Anglicans said today that the ordination of a ‘practising homosexual’ in Dunedin this Saturday could split the Church in New Zealand and the Anglican Communion.