It appears to us that, sadly, ECUSA has not only declined to be explicitly ‘Windsor-compliant’ but also, in seeking a middle-way which could accommodate all parties, blundered into total disarray. This will be deeply disappointing to many faithful Anglicans across the Communion.
However, we believe there are signs of hope. There is a possibility that out of the ashes of ECUSA’s collapse the Lord in His mercy and providence may raise up an Anglican Church in America which is faithful to scripture, committed to mission and evangelism, and in full communion with the See of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion world-wide - an outcome very much to be desired. We hope and pray that it may be done peaceably.
The securing of such a faithful Anglican witness in the United States must be the principal objective of the Primates and others as they reflect on what has occurred. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s statement of 27 June which acknowledges that the divisions are not only between but within provinces in the communion, provides a context in which that can be achieved.
Dr Philip Giddings
Canon Chris Sugden
Canon Chris Sugden adds in response to the Archbishop’s statement:
“The Archbishop’s letter rightly recognises the priority of scripture and that the church must respond on the basis of the Bible and historic teaching rather than cultural or rights based views. In asking for local churches to “opt-in” to the Anglican Communion and by recognising that division exists not only between provinces of the Communion but also in each locality, he is providing a basis which an orthodox Anglican presence in the United States could be maintained.
The oppression of minorities by majorities, or vice versa, clearly, and rightly, has no place in the Archbishop’s vision for the future of the Communion.”