Bishop Frederic Barker on leaving the Church
Frederic Barker, second bishop in Sydney, addressed the Diocesan Synod in 1877 in words which are strikingly relevant today in many parts of the Anglican Communion.
‘It is quite true that an occasion may arise for the exercise of our liberty of action. If it should, I trust not to be found backward in asserting our independence of a Church which had fallen from the faith, but so long as the Church of England remains what she is, I know no reason why we should not act otherwise than as dutiful and loving members of a true branch of the one Catholic Church.
If she, like the Churches of Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria should apostatise from the true faith, she would leave us. If the Ritualism which infects a portion of the Church of England became its normal condition, and that which some are striving after, to substitute the mass for the communion, was effected, and formularies and articles were so interpreted and used as to legalise false doctrine it would be time to assert our independence and to allow a body deeply tainted with Romish heresy to exclude us from its communion.’
With thanks to Moore College student Paul Brigden for drawing our attention to these words.
Con Campbell on Union with Christ
Last month, Michael Jensen and David Hohne spoke with fellow Moore College faculty member Con Campbell about his major research project – exploring Paul’s concept of our union with Christ.
It’s worth listening to the 22 minute conversation – at The Common Room. (h/t Craig Schwarze.)
Tearing the Communion
Our friends at the Anglican Essentials Canada blog have reminded us what all the fuss is about – Back in February, the American Anglican Council prepared a comprehensive document entitled The Episcopal Church: Tearing the fabric of the Communion to shreds. It’s available as an 820kb PDF file – direct link.
At the same time, an equivalent document on the Canadian situation was produced – The Anglican Church of Canada: Tearing The Fabric to Shreds – 188kb PDF file – direct link.
Bishop John Harrower on euthanasia
Is Euthanasia A Morally Acceptable Way To Ease Suffering Of The Elderly?
You probably expect an Anglican bishop to oppose a euthanasia ‘reform’. I do, but maybe not for the expected reasons.
First, some theology: life is a gift from God, a sacred trust, not to be taken by human hand. Read more
ANiC Parishes v New Westminster – Day 4
“Today was a short day in court, ending just after noon, which although surprising, was a great relief. The Rev David Short, rector of St John’s Shaughnessy since 1993, was on the stand for only a couple of hours when many of us were expecting more than a full day. …”
Full report here – (not yet on the ANiC website) – and please continue to pray. (GAFCON photo: Joy Gwaltney) Read more
Calvin and the Holy Spirit
Coming up on July 25 at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney – click the image for the flyer.
San Joaquin Bishop John-David Schofield and TEC ‘depositions’
“It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that we received today a letter from Bishop Lamb wherein he purports to depose 36 priests and 16 deacons as of May 22, 2009. It is heartbreaking that The Episcopal Church chooses to take such a punitive action and condemn 52 active clergy with ‘Abandonment of the Communion’ when all of these men and women are recognized around the world as priests and deacons in good standing within the Anglican Communion. Read more
ANiC Parishes v New Westminster – Day 3
Gail Stevenson became a member of St John’s Shaughnessy 68 years ago when she was baptized in a “small brown wooden building” at age 5. …
She recalled Rev Harry Robinson’s world renowned ministry which she described as “very powerful, very transforming and very Biblical”. Visitors to Vancouver – especially from Toronto and England –would come to St John’s because of his preaching. She said the ministry carried on under Rev David Short, describing it as “a seamless transition… very evangelical, very Biblically based”.
She was “disturbed” by Bishop Ingham’s preaching on Easter Sunday in 1994. She read his book, Mansions of the Spirit and found his teaching “foreign to what I had learned”. …
– from the ANiC report on Day 3 of the court proceedings in Vancouver.
ANiC Parishes v Diocese of New Westminster trial updates
If you have read the Diocese of New Westminster account of the opening day of the court proceedings, you’ll certainly want to read the ANiC report.
Mr. Cowper stated, “The question before the Court is whether the division created by the Defendants’ doctrinal and liturgical innovations justifies the expulsion of the plaintiff congregations from the church properties they funded, maintained and have long considered their church homes”.
It’s on The Anglican Network in Canada website.
Update: This account of yesterday’s proceedings has just been received, but is not yet on the ANiC website –
Day 2 – Trial of ANiC Parishes v Diocese of New Westminster — May 26, 2009
Read more
Kirk orders ban on gay minister debate
“The Church of Scotland last night effectively gagged its members from public discussion of gay ministers and postponed a potentially divisive vote on the issue for two years in a desperate bid to avoid a schism. …”
– Report from The Scotsman.
New Westminster court case begins
“The trial before BC Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kelleher over the lawsuit brought by members of four dissident congregations against the Diocese of New Westminster began today (May 25) in Vancouver.
Those bringing the suit, 22 leaders in the four congregations, including three former diocesan priests, have left the Anglican Church of Canada, but want to keep their parish buildings, which the Diocese of New Westminster says it owns. …”
– A report from the Diocese of New Westminster. (Photo: St. John’s Shaughnessy building.)
William Philip on the Scottish vote: we shall not be moved
On Sunday, Dr William Philip at St. George’s – Tron in Glasgow, spoke pastorally to his congregation about the ruling in the Church of Scotland General Assembly on Saturday.
Hear his clear message at the St. George’s – Tron website. 18 minutes / 2.1MB. (h/t Stand Firm.) See also this written statement.
Related link: Fellowship of Confessing Churches.
Financial probe baffles rector
The rector of an Anglican church is “surprised and baffled” by a judge’s decision that a regional diocese investigate whether a local parish mishandled money after it withdrew from the Episcopal denomination. …
– From PressConnects.com. Matt Kennedy is a regular contributor at Stand Firm. (See this earlier report.)
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…