Wednesday 30th November 2005
“One-Quarter of Self-Described Born Again Adults Rely On Means Other Than Grace to Get to Heaven” – US statistics “When someone calls himself a Christian, what does he really mean? What does someone imply when they adopt the label “born again Christian?” A new national survey released by The Barna Group indicates that the terminology used by followers of Jesus Christ reflects a breadth of meanings. While the most widely-held description is simply “Christian,” that term represents a segment of adults who engage in less religious activity and possess less orthodox views than do people who associate themselves with other descriptions...”
Interesting statistics from a survey by the Barna Group.
Thursday 24th November 2005
Richard Coekin appeals to the Archbishop of Canterbury – Press Release “The Anglican clergyman whose licence was removed by the Bishop of Southwark following legal but irregular ordinations by a South African Bishop, has exercised his right of appeal to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams.
Rev. Richard Coekin, Senior Pastor to the fast-growing “Co-Mission” churches of South-west London, claims that although his relationship with Bishop Tom Butler has been “impaired” by the House of Bishops’ recent statement on Civil Partnerships, which led him to seek help from a foreign Bishop, this does not legally or morally justify the removal of his licence. He still does not know of any valid reason for his licence being revoked...”
Read the full press release – and the letter to The Archbishop of Canterbury – here. (See also the ACL President’s statement of support, 4th November, and John Richardson’s helpful leaflet on the UK Civil Partnerships act and the House of Bishops.)
Wednesday 23rd November 2005
Chairman of the Anglican Consultative Council says Canadian church remains “important part of the Communion”“he Anglican Church of Canada ‘remains an important part of the Anglican Communion,’ Bishop John Paterson, of Auckland NZ, the chair of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), told members of the Council of General Synod (CoGs).
Bishop John Paterson addressing Council of General Synod, ‘The Communion needs Canada and I believe Canada needs the Communion,’he said, adding that he hopes that the ‘listening process’ that has been put in place, will allow churches throughout the communion to appreciate each others’ differences...”
From The Anglican Church of Canada website.
Wednesday 23rd November 2005
“Church refuses to hand over keys to diocese”“The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester warned All Saints Church in Irondequoit it was coming for the keys Monday morning. However, diocesan leaders were greeted by the parish's attorney. After the two groups exchanched words, diocesan leaders left empty handed. ‘They’re refusing to honor the diocese’s request,’ said Philip Fileri, attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester. The diocese voted to dissolve All Saints on Saturday after it failed to pay its $16,000 assessment fee for 2005...”
From WROC-TV, Rochester, New York.
Sunday 20th November 2005
“Episcopal church voted out of Rochester diocese”“ ‘We’ve just been declared as a parish extinct,’ said Rev. David Harnish of All Saints Church. Of the 250 delegates at the Episcopal Diocesan Convention, the majority voted to dissolve the All Saints Church in Irondequoit.’ ...All Saints church refused to pay because in 2003 the General Convention of the Episcopal church confirmed the election of the Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay bishop in New Hampshire. ”
From WROC-TV, Rochester, New York.
Sunday 20th November 2005
“New Westminster: Bishop and Diocesan Leadership out to Crush Orthodox Anglicans”“The revisionist Bishop of New Westminster Michael Ingham, and his diocesan leadership, have embarked on a mission to crush and ultimately destroy all orthodox expression of historic Anglicanism in this morally and theologically conflicted diocese. At a meeting of Diocesan Council last month, a motion was passed seeking to outlaw the Anglican Communion in Canada, (ACiC) a body of some 10 orthodox parishes (5 of which are in the New West Diocese) who have already fled the diocese and come under the Anglican Mission in America and become missionaries of the Diocese of Rwanda, as well as the Anglican Network in Canada a body of orthodox Anglicans still within the Anglican Church of Canada meeting under the rubric of ESSENTIALS...”
Full story from VirtueOnline includes references to St. John’s Shaughnessy. Read the motion from the Diocese of New Westminster Diocesan Council meeting on 11th October.
Saturday 19th November 2005
“Heaven on Earth” – extract from tomorrow’s Boyer Lecture by Peter Jensen“Do you want this world to end, and a new one to begin? Rather surprisingly, the Australian Parliament begins proceedings with such a prayer. It goes something like this: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’..”
Read the extract in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Saturday 19th November 2005
“Primates disown open letter to Archbishop of Canterbury” “An open letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury written by some Anglican Primates from the Southern Hemisphere, widely interpreted as an attack on Dr Rowan Williams’ leadership, has been disowned by two of those described as its signatories...”
Story from Ekklesia. See also “Jensen urges Anglican communion to rethink gay clergy” – from the Sydney Morning Herald.
Friday 18th November 2005
“The miracle of CANA continues!” – From the Primate of all Nigeria, Archbishop Peter J. Akinola“Greetings in the name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Earlier this year we announced CANA - a mission of the Church of Nigeria, a Convocation for Anglicans in North America. We see this as a creative way to provide pastoral and episcopal care for those alienated by the actions of ECUSA. As we said in our letter of April 7th, 2005, ‘Our intention is not to challenge or intervene in the churches of ECUSA or the Anglican Church of Canada but to provide safe harbour for all those who can no longer find their spiritual home in those churches.’ While CANA is an initiative of the Church of Nigeria it is our desire is to welcome all those who share our faith and vision for the Church...”
Read Archbishop Akinola’s full letter.
Friday 18th November 2005
“Anglican Church urged to get tough on gay issue”“Nearly half of the world’s Anglican archbishops want the church to take a tougher stand against homosexuality. A letter Thursday to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams says same-sex relationships go against the scriptures, and that the Anglican Church should make that clear...”
Report from the CBC.
Thursday 17th November 2005
“Global South Primates response to Archbishop Rowan Williams”“Thank you, your Grace, for coming to join us at the Third South South Encounter in Egypt and sharing your thoughts on the four “marks” of the Church as “one, holy, catholic and apostolic.” Your attempt to take on this major topic in sweeping strokes was bold, and it was delivered with your usual scholarly eloquence. We agree with what you said. We were disappointed in what you left unsaid, in particular, the application of the Church’s identity to the current situation that has left the fabric of our Communion torn at its deepest level...”
Read the full letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury here – from Global South Anglican
Tuesday 15th November 2005
2005 New College Lectures: Church and State – now online“The 19th annual New College Lectures were held on the evenings of the 25th and 26th of October, the topic was Church & State: exploring views on the relevance of faith to politics. New College had three lecturers who shared much on this important topic: Mr John Anderson, MP – Former Leader of National Party and Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Kevin Rudd, MP – Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and International Security, Dr Andrew Cameron – Moore College Ethics & Philosophy Lecturer and Chair of the Anglican Diocese of Sydney Social Issues Executive...”
The talks are downloadable from the New College website. (With the current debate about ‘Intelligent Design’, last year’s lectures on Science and Christianity: Conflict or Coherence? by Dr Henry Schaefer – also on the linked page – are well worth reading.)
Monday 14th November 2005
“Anglican evangelist calls for action to rebuild churh”“A leading Church of England evangelist, author and church planter urged 2400 orthodox Anglicans at “Hope and the Future Conference” to forge ahead and restore the church despite the constant erosion of biblical teaching in the Episcopal Church, the pressure against orthodoxy and the reality of lawsuits. The Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Green, a leading British evangelical, presently in the U.S. where he is co-rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Raleigh, NC said that despite the wearying reality of the state of the Episcopal Church there was work to be done to restore the church, despite low attendances, spiritual captivity and an anti-evangelism attitude...”
From VirtueOnline.
 Sunday 13th November 2005
Boyer Lectures: “Lecture 1: Jesus, the Prophet at the End of the World” now onlineThe first of Archbishop Peter Jensen’s Boyer Lectures was broadcast this afternoon. It is well worth listening to – and ideal for sharing with friends. The transcript is now online – as is the audio in RealPlayer and Windows Media formats only. (If you would like it as an mp3 file, you can purchase that next week.)
The transcript and audio links are here. In addition, here Peter speak about his motivation in this extensive interview on last week’s “The Spirit of Things” – on ABC Radio (mp3 download available here).
Sunday 13th November 2005
“Bolivian ordains Anglican clerics”“Pittsburgh – Conservative Episcopalians brought in a South American bishop yesterday to ordain three deacons and a priest to establish four traditional Anglican churches, including one in Baltimore and one in the District. The move – considered allowable, but highly unusual in church law – was the latest step toward establishing a church parallel to the existing 2.2-million-member Episcopal Church because of objections to the 2003 consecration of a homosexual bishop...”
Full story from The Washington Times. See also “Conservative Episcopalians Urged to Split from ECUSA”.
Friday 11th November 2005
“Give Christ a chance”“The Archbishop of Sydney has a mission; stop Jesus fading away under the weight of modern scepticism, writes Linda Morris. There is no reliable physical image of Jesus. The sad-eyed, long-haired, bearded man who looks heavenward is an imagining. The Bible offers no description of one of the most influential figures of modern and ancient times. But it seems even the faceless Jesus Christ, the very source of the modern secular values which Australians hold dear, is in danger of being rendered invisible.”
From The Sydney Morning Herald.
Friday 11th November 2005
“Uniting Church Members seek Legislative Reform” – Press release“In an unprecedented action on Thursday November 10, the National Spokesman for Evangelical Members within the Uniting Church; Reverend Stephen Estherby hand-delivered a letter to the Moderator inviting the NSW Synod to join Evangelical Members within the Uniting Church in legislative reform to ensure that congregations departing the UCA receive property justice. Rev. Stephen Estherby said: “Our research indicates that over 6500 attendees have left, 109 congregations have experienced splits with an average loss of 50 people. There have been 41 new congregations formed outside the UCA. All this is the direct result of dissatisfaction with the national Assembly’s decisions with respect to sexuality and leadership.” Despite attempts by EMU and Reforming Alliance within the Uniting Church to encourage a spirit of generosity and justice; so far the official response has been to deny the level of dissatisfaction and the accuracy of reported departures. Statements have been made in official publications which say; “Congregations can’t leave – only individuals” and that “the UCA has a moral and legal right to the property.” Rev. Estherby said; “We have asked for property justice and have been informed by Synod officials that they would legally be unable to fulfil our request. That is why we have chosen to invite the Synod to join us in seeking to amend The Uniting Church in Australia Act N.S.W 1977.” The amendment which will be brought through a Private Member’s Bill in the N.S.W. Parliament will ensure that the moral and legal rights of a congregation’s property are properly recognised, acknowledged and protected.”
Also see the EMU website.
Friday 11th November 2005
 BBC Radio 4 interview with Richard CoekinListen to this BBC Radio interview with Rev. Richard Coekin – and also Bishop John Gladwin of Chelmsford – on last week’s Dundonald ordinations. It requires RealPlayer. See also this article by Richard Coekin in the Church of England Newspaper in which he explains his actions.
Thursday 10th November 2005
 Growing list of supporters for the Dundonald ordinationAt last count, 177 supporters – including some of the best known evangelical leaders in the UK – have signed this statement – “To Whom It May Concern – we the undersigned wish to express our full support for those involved in seeking to provide Ordained ministry in accordance with the Anglican tradition in the Co-Mission Initiative churches. In particular we wish to express our support for, and recognition of the validity of, the ordination of Richard Perkins, Andrew Fenton and Loots Lambrechts on Wed 2nd November 2005 at Christ Church Surbiton in the Diocese of Southwark and pray God’s blessing on their future ministry.”
See the list of signatories on the Co-Mission website. This is despite the decision of the Bishop of Southwark to revoke the licence of the Rev. Richard Coekin after the ordinations took place. (And for many helpful sermons from Richard Coekin and others, see the Westminster @ ONE mp3 download page.)
Monday 7th November 2005
Helpful resource on the “The Church of England, Civil Partnerships and the House of Bishops” “On December 5th 2005 the Civil Partnership Act comes into force [in the UK]. On July 23rd 2005, the House of Bishops issued a ‘pastoral statement’ on the implications of the Act for the Church of England. This leaflet answers some questions about civil partnership and explains why the Statement by the House of Bishops is causing problems here and abroad.”
The Rev. John Richardson has produced a very helpful leaflet analysing the implications of the stance taken by the Church of England’s House of Bishops. Taking the form of Questions and Answers, it’s an 85kb PDF file formatted as a double-sided A4, and can be downloaded here. (It’s ideal for printing and distributing.)
Friday 4th November 2005
Press Release: ACL Expresses unqualified support for London ordinations
| “This is undeniably an extraordinary turn of events. However, this
is equally an extraordinary moment in the history of the Anglican Communion.” |
 “The
Anglican Church League wishes to express its unqualified support for the ordination
of Richard Perkins, Andrew Fenton and Loots Lambrechts at Christ Church Surbiton
in the Diocese of Southwark on 2 November 2005. We rejoice that such gifted
and godly young men have been raised up by God to serve churches in the south-west
of London and affirm that is entirely appropriate that this ordination should
take place at the hands of a bishop who is thoroughly committed to upholding
the teaching of Scripture.
The churches in which these men serve found
themselves in impaired communion with the diocesan bishop and so invited Bishop
Martin Morrison of the Church of England in South Africa to officiate at the
service. This is undeniably an extraordinary turn of events. However, this
is equally an extraordinary moment in the history of the Anglican Communion.
In many places throughout the world, those concerned to take the word of God
seriously, to have their thinking and behaviour shaped by the teaching of
the Bible, find themselves in conflict with those who should have been encouraging
and supporting them in gospel ministry. They have been forced to seek the
help of others because their leaders have neglected and in some cases denied
biblical doctrine and ethics. Fellowship and support is not geographically
defined and so it is right and proper that they avail themselves of the care
and protection of other faithful brothers and sisters throughout the world.
We stand with these three men and the congregations
they serve as they continue to honour Christ by word and deed. We assure them
and the other churches in the Co-Mission Initiative of our prayerful support
in the months and years ahead.” Rev Dr Mark D. Thompson
President
Anglican Church League, Sydney
|
(Permalink)
Friday 4th November 2005
London Evangelical Churches import CESA Bishop for Ordination – sidestepping the Bishop of Southwark
“A group of thriving young Anglican churches in South-West London which are part of the Reform network today announced that three of its staff were ordained by a visiting bishop from South Africa at a special service conducted last night in south London. This historic move breaks with church tradition but was supported by a resolution passed by yesterday’s Reform National Conference of evangelical churches.
Rev Richard Coekin, minister of Dundonald Church in Wimbledon, who addressed the Reform conference, said: “We are committed to preaching the love of God in Christ for all. Some Bishops in England think they can re-invent the Christian faith by tearing difficult pages out of the Bible in the name of political correctness and their latest statement on civil partnerships is the last straw. “Together with many evangelical clergy from across this diocese and the nation we have resorted to this action for the needs of the churches. It also expresses our unity with the many orthodox Bible-believing Anglicans across the world who are outraged at the way things are headed in England. Sadly we are having publicly to distance ourselves from the Bishop of Southwark.”
The churches of the ‘Co-Mission Initiative’ are temporarily facing the reality of ‘impaired communion’ with the Bishop of Southwark after he wrote to Rev Coekin refusing to distance himself from the recent controversial House of Bishops’ Pastoral Statement concerning civil partnerships. The Bishop had also previously refused to ordain two of the clergy despite their both being fully trained, eligible for ordination and leading growing Anglican congregations. Rev Coekin explained: “In ten years we have seen 400% growth, from one congregation of 40 adults to eight congregations totaling more than 600. Yet the Bishop of Southwark has repeatedly refused to assist us through ordaining staff to lead these growing congregations. If the Church of England really wants to halt its decline and reach the people of England in the 21st century then it must encourage growth, not stifle it.”
The special ordination service was conducted by Bishop Martin Morrison of the Church of England in South Africa and attended by more than 500 people, including many clergy who support the move. The staff ordained were Andy Fenton and Richard Perkins who lead churches in Wimbledon and Balham respectively and Loots Lambrechts, a South African who will lead a bilingual Afrikaans/English congregation in Wimbledon. Ends Background information Dundonald Church, in Wimbledon, south west London, is an Anglican Evangelical church which was planted in 1990 from Emmanuel Church, a proprietary chapel in the Church of England. Dundonald Church meets in Dundonald Primary School and is part of the Co-Mission Initiative family of churches.”
Read the Press Release from the Reform website. A growing number of UK Anglican leaders have put their names to this statement of support – “To Whom It May Concern – we the undersigned wish to express our full support for those involved in seeking to provide Ordained ministry in accordance with the Anglican tradition in the Co-Mission Initiative churches. In particular we wish to express our support for, and recognition of the validity of, the ordination of Richard Perkins, Andrew Fenton and Loots Lambrechts on Wed 2nd November 2005 at Christ Church Surbiton in the Diocese of Southwark and pray God’s blessing on their future ministry.” See the list of signatories on the Co-Mission website.
For background, see the Reform Press Release on civil partnerships. See also the Church of England in South Africa website – and ACL Chairman Robert Tong’s Sydney Synod Dinner talk for some historical background.
Wednesday 2nd November 2005
“Methodist Church court defrocks lesbian minister”
“The highest court in the Methodist Church yesterday defrocked a lesbian minister in Philadelphia, and reinstated a Virginia pastor who had been suspended for denying congregation membership to a gay man...”
Story from The Boston Globe.
 Monday 31st October 2005
“Dr Peter Jensen tells The Future of Jesus – 2005 Boyer Lectures”
Press Release from ABC Radio National: “Jesus is more important to the Australian values of ‘a fair go’ and ‘mateship’ than the stories of the Eureka Stockade and Gallipoli; in forgetting him Australians risk losing our core values now and in the future, warns Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen in his 2005 Boyer Lectures, The Future of Jesus, beginning Sunday, 13 November. ‘I want to provoke a national debate with the Jesus of the Gospels,’ says Dr Jensen in his introduction. He aims to inspire widespread adult reading of the Gospels and recognition of the significance of Jesus for a modern world in which religion is increasingly on the agenda. In six weekly lectures broadcast on ABC Radio National, Dr Jensen brings more than 40 years of theological experience to a detailed examination of the history, parables, miracles and promises of Jesus. He states that biblical stories are more important than ever in a modern world increasingly focused on individualism and its associated ‘freedoms’. Dr Jensen calls on both major political parties to look carefully at their notions of contemporary liberalism and to re-examine their parties’ origins, values and the freedoms they advocate in the context of the changing society. ‘Can we trust each other to use our freedom well? Will my freedom to bargain be at the expense of your ability to look after your family?’ To demonstrate the contemporary power of Jesus Dr Jensen also examines martyrdom as a contemporary and ancient phenomenon, and looks at the influence on American foreign policy of the belief of the millions who think that the second coming of Jesus is imminent.
Dr Jensen has been Archbishop of Sydney, the largest Diocese in the country, since 2001 and is Chair of the General Synod Doctrine Commission. He has written a number of books including The Quest For Power, At the Heart of the Universe and The Revelation of God and in June this year presented the inaugural TC Hammond Lectures in Ireland. This year marks the 46th anniversary of the Boyer Lectures. Each year the ABC Board invites a prominent Australian or group of Australians to present six talks expressing their thoughts on major social, cultural, scientific or political issues. The lectures continue to stimulate thought, discussion and debate on a wide range of subjects. The 2005 Boyer Lectures, The Future of Jesus, are broadcast weekly on ABC Radio National each Sunday from 13 November at 5pm, repeated the following Tuesday at 1pm.”
Monday 31st October 2005
“Panel of Reference Awaits Referral”
“As of mid-October, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference has received no referrals, one of its 13 members reports. Robert Tong, a Sydney solicitor and lay member of the panel, told the Anglican Church League in Sydney on Oct. 10 the ‘panel awaits its first reference from the archbishop.’...”
Full article from The Living Church.
Monday 31st October 2005
The Third Anglican Global South to South Encounter Communique
“The Third Anglican South-to-South Encounter has graphically demonstrated the coming of age of the Church of the Global South. We are poignantly aware that we must be faithful to God’s vision of one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. We do not glory in our strengths but in God’s strength. We do not shrink from our responsibility as God’s people because of our weaknesses but we trust God to demonstrate His power through our weakness. We thank God for moving us forward to serve Him in such a time as this...”
The full Communique is available at Titusonenine.
Thursday 27th October 2005
David Robarts, Forward in Faith Australia Chairman, at the National Assembly of Forward in Faith UK
 The Anglo-Catholic organisation Forward in Faith held their National Assembly in the UK last weekend. Forward in Faith Australia’s Chairman, Fr. David Robarts, gave a report on the situation in the Anglican Church of Australia.
A friend comments, “there are one or two things near the beginning of the talk that will probably displease evangelicals... but once he gets into it, we are on common ground!” An audio recording of the approximately 37 minute address can be found here – it’s an 8.8MB Windows Media file. (Or scroll to the bottom of this audio page.) It is well worth hearing to gain a perspective on recent events within the Anglican Church of Australia – and the several appeals that have been made to the Panel of Reference.
Thursday 27th October 2005
“Religious hatred Bill hits buffers after Lords defeat”
“Ministers sounded a retreat on their plans for a contentious new law to outlaw incitement to religious hatred last night as the Lords inflicted a crushing defeat by throwing out the Bill.
Peers voted by 260 to 111 to tear up the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill and replace it completely with text that severely limited its scope and added safeguards for free speech...”
From The Times of London. See also Is this headline really illegal?
Saturday 22nd October 2005
“The American Anglican Council Condemns Via Media’s Planned Coup of Biblically Faithful Dioceses”
“Minutes from a Steering Committee meeting of Via Media USA have been leaked to the media, exposing plans to seize control of Anglican Communion Network (ACN) dioceses following General Convention 2006. Code-named “Day After”, the Via Media strategy outlines specific preparations and plans to “have ready blank presentments for abandonment of the communion” and todeclare the “see” in ACN dioceses as “vacant, requesting appointment of interim bishop[s] in coordination with “the PB” [ECUSA Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold]...”
Press Release from the American Anglican Council.
Friday 21st October 2005
Three reports on Sydney Synod from SydneyAnglicans.net
Sydney Anglicans Signal Support for Africa
Confirmation reform: next step Australia Synod challenges “right of review”
Friday 21st October 2005
U.S. Preacher – T.D. Jakes – coming to Sydney
There’s been a fair bit of publicity about the impending visit to Sydney of Bishop T.D. Jakes from the Potters House in Dallas.
It’s always informative to read a church’s Mission Statement – you can read the Potters House Mission Statement here.
Thursday 20th October 2005
“Communion in Turbulence... Sydney acts... Eames under fire... ECUSA news...”
“It was another turbulent week in the life of the Anglican Communion.
The DIOCESE OF SYDNEY, Australia, took a leaf out of the Province of Nigeria’s constitutional handbook and declared it was prepared to change its church’s constitution to enable a split from the Church of England if its attitude to the ordination of gay clergy and same-sex unions remains unresolved...”
“Viewpoints” from VirtueOnline.
Wednesday 19th October 2005
“Australian Anglicans to examine break from UK”
“The Anglican Church in Australia’s main city of Sydney has voted to consider changing its links with the Church of England, backing concerns raised by Nigeria over the ordination of gay clergy and same-sex unions.
The Sydney synod on Wednesday said it had passed a motion without debate which calls for a review of the Anglican Church of Australia’s constitution, to make it optional for Australia to maintain its traditional ties with the English church. ‘The current crisis in the Anglican Communion has been brewing for some time, but (has been) brought to a head by the consecration of a practising homosexual,’ Anglican reverend Mark Thompson said in a statement....”
Story from Reuters South Africa.
Wednesday 19th October 2005
“New Westminister Diocesan Council Meeting, October 11, 2005”
This motion was passed, on October 11, at a meeting of the Diocesan Council of the Diocese of New Westminster.
“Motion 7.4 WHEREAS the evangelical tradition plays a welcome role within both this Diocese and Province as an expression of our life together in Christ within the Anglican Church of Canada; and WHEREAS there has been established an Essentials Federation known as “Anglican Essentials Canada (Federation) whose stated purposes include “the promotion of evangelism”, “to mobilize prayer for the renewal of the Anglican Church of Canada”and “to help co-ordinate the vision and determination of orthodox Anglicans in Canada to remain faithful to the truth of the Gospel”; and WHEREAS there has also been established or incorporated an entity known as the “Essentials Network”or otherwise as the “Anglican Network in Canada” which seeks to operate outside the structures of the Anglican Church of Canada and to seek to promote an alternate Anglican structure in Canada opposite to the General Synod of Canada, our Primate and our House of Bishops, both National and Provincial, as well as our own Diocesan structure and Communion with Canterbury through our Bishop, the Primate and the Province of Canada; and WHEREAS there has also been incorporated and established an entity known as the “Anglican Communion in Canada” whose Priests and Parishes have declared themselves to be Missionaries of the Diocese of Rwanda in North America* and who are active members of the Essentials Network; BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Council: 1. Encourages those Parishes, Clergy and Parishioners, who wish to do so, to support organizations that reflect their views and that operate within the Anglican Church of Canada and are not working to set up alternative ecclesial structures. 2. expresses its opposition to the establishment and operation of the Essentials Network, also known as the Anglican Network in Canada, as well as the Anglican Communion in Canada; and 3. asks the Bishop to communicate to both the National House of Bishops and the Provincial House of Bishops this Resolution; and 4. requests that the Bishop, in consultation with the appropriate Regional Archdeacon and Regional Dean, as well as a Diocesan legal officer, take such actions as he may consider necessary with respect to any licensed Clergy or any Parish of the Diocese who should choose to declare themselves to be a Member of the Anglican Network in Canada or the Essentials Network or the Anglican Communion in Canada, whether by formal resolution or by other public actions or declarations, both to direct their attention to this Resolution as well as to preserve the integrity of our Communion with Canterbury through this Diocese, this Province and the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada.”
[Further comment by the New Westminster officials re Motion 7:4: (... It is also being sent to every parish in the Diocese, and to the Primate and the National House of Bishops. The national House has the matter on its Agenda (as requested by the Bishop of Brandon) later this month, and may be making its own statement too...)]
*Correction: missionary arm of the Anglican Province of Rwanda, not a new diocese...” Emphasis added.
Tuesday 18th October 2005
“Anglican plan to go forth and multiply with rival churches raises alarm”
“Sydney Anglicans plan to offer refuge to dissidents of rival churches in a move critics warn would poison its relationships with the wider church, trigger legal injunctions and threaten the position of the archbishop...
...Bruce Ballantine-Jones said Sydney could not wait for the liberal-dominated Anglican [General] synod to act to proclaim the Gospel while ‘people are going to hell’...”
Story from The Sydney Morning Herald.
 Tuesday 18th October 2005
“Church Society writes to the Vatican about Mary”
“The purpose of this letter is to inform you that Church Society has studied the statement of ARCIC II entitled “Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ” (2005) and rejects its conclusions relating to the status and role of Mary.
The conclusions which have been reached are contrary to Holy Scripture and to the extent those conclusions claim to be based on ancient traditions, then such traditions are likewise contrary to Holy Scripture...”
Read the full letter and press release from The Church Society.
Monday 17th October 2005
“Archbishop Peter Akinola writes an Open Letter to Archbishop Robin Eames, Primate of All Ireland”
“Dear Robin,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I have noted with profound sadness your recent pronouncements in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Connecticut about the actions of the Church of Nigeria. I was surprised by the harsh tone of your remarks and also that you have chosen to address me personally in a remarkably one-sided conversation through the media. You have always been the one to advocate careful, mutual listening and I wonder about the reason for this sudden change of behaviour. Since, however, you have chosen a public forum for your remarks I will respond accordingly.
Let me say again that the recent actions of the Church of Nigeria were not the “preemptive strike” of a single voice but rather the deliberate, prayerful and unanimous action of the more than 800 members of our General Synod. It was, and is, our intention to make clear our commitment to the faith once delivered to the Saints as expressed in historic Anglicanism and its traditional formularies at a time when these understandings are being challenged and distorted...”
Read Archbishop Akinola’s full letter here from Anglican Essentials Canada. For some of the background, read Archbishop Eames’ two lectures delivered in the US on October 5 – First Lecture Second Lecture
 Saturday 15th October 2005
South American Mission Society Great Britain (SAMS-GB) speaks out on the Recife situation
“At the invitation of the Province of the Episcopal Church of Brazil, SAMS GB has been involved in ministry there for over thirty years. We have considered this a great privilege and we have through our mission partners sought to maintain a faithful biblical witness in the life of the Church. Over the years we have responded to invitations from the dioceses of Santa Maria, Pelotas, Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, and in more recent years have directed more focused attention towards the growing Diocese of Recife.  It is with great sadness, therefore, that we witness the actions taken against the clergy in the Diocese of Recife, believing them to be destructive to the Church and dishonouring to the name of Christ. We have always sought to remain separate from the internal politics of the province but recent events have inevitably involved our mission partners directly. The deposition of Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti has cast real doubt as to which ecclesiastical authority they are accountable, and the deposition of thirty-two clergy includes some who are directly provided as mission partners of SAMS GB.
SAMS GB, therefore, has now to make some clear decisions about how it may continue in relationship with the Province of Brazil. It thus becomes important that SAMS GB states its position on recent events, which will direct its action in the coming days... ... Until the due process of legal appeals and the work of the Panel of Reference are completed and find otherwise, SAMS GB: 1. Requests the Archbishop of Canterbury and his fellow primates urgently to use their good offices to provide for appropriate ecclesiastical recognition of Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti and the deposed clergy. 2. Will continue to recognise Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti as a Bishop of the Church of God, and the ‘deposed’ clergy as legitimate ministers of word and sacrament in the Church of God, and do all in its power to support and enable their ministry.”
Read the full Statement from SAMS-GB. (Emphasis added.)
Wednesday 12th October 2005
Sydney Synod to debate ARCIC document “Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ”
The Second Anglican – Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC II) was set up in 1982 on the mandate of Pope John Paul II and Archbishop Robert Runcie – as a ‘continuing journey toward full communion’. So far five ‘agreed statements’ have been published – Salvation in and the Church (1987), The Church as Communion (1991), Life in Christ (1994), The Gift of Authority (1999) and most recently Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ (2005). The teaching of ‘Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ’, has come under strong criticism as a return to pre-Reformation ideas. The following motion was moved at Sydney Synod by ACL President Dr. Mark Thompson, and it is set down to be discussed on Monday 17th October. “Synod notes the release by the Anglican – Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC) of Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ (The Seattle Statement) on 16 May 2005 and notes that many of the conclusions of the report are in conflict with the teaching of Scripture. We therefore distance ourselves from the report and further state that the Commission does not represent or speak on behalf of the Diocese of Sydney.”
As a service to Synod members, here is a link to the full text of “Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ” on the Roman Curia website at the Vatican.
The Church Society in the UK has published this helpful resource, “ARCIC on Mary, or Things vainly invented”, by David Phillips (also as a PDF file).
This Letter to the Editor of The Times – from The Rev. Anthony Carr in Warwickshire – is also worth reading. |
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Wednesday 12th October 2005
“A time for meddling prelates”
“Consistent and insistent church-based criticism of the Federal Government’s proposed industrial relations changes is becoming an uncomfortable reality for the Prime Minister and his Workplace Relations Minister...”
Editorial from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Wednesday 12th October 2005
“Nigeria and the Anglican Communion
Setting the standard for all faithful Anglicans in a new realignment of the Communion”
“The recent statement of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, defining itself and its relationship with other Anglican churches, on the basis of a common faith and doctrine, is not only to be heartily welcomed, but should be the standard for all faithful Anglican churches and ministers in a new realignment within the Anglican Communion...”
From Reform Ireland.
Tuesday 11th October 2005
 ACL Dinner hears of Anglican legal challenges and threats of excommunication
On Monday 10th October, a packed Chapter House heard ACL Chairman Robert Tong (pictured) deliver the annual ACL Synod Dinner address.
Earlier this year, Robert was appointed to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference to help deal with the crisis facing the Anglican Communion. His talk was designed to give some ‘big picture’ historical background as the Panel of Reference awaits its first reference from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Read the full text of Robert’s talk here. (will open in a new window.)
Tuesday 11th October 2005
Archbishop Peter Jensen on the Diocesan MissionAlso last night, Archbishop Peter Jensen delivered his Presidential Address to the first night of Synod – a report on the progress of the Diocesan Mission. You can read (and soon listen to) his address here at Anglican Media Sydney.
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