A Report from the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Auckland

Canon Phil Ashey reports from what he sees as an “intensively stage managed and choreographed” meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council.

Canon Ashey is Chief Operating and Development Officer of the American Anglican Council.

Here’s his conclusion:

“In terms of what schemes seem to be emerging, I would respectfully suggest the following as a “pincer” movement that ACC/ACO is going to place upon confessing Anglicans:

1.  Through Continuing Indaba dialogue and stories, bolstered by the work of the BILC resources, Biblical interpretation of human sexuality and its limits will be rendered value-neutral with no limits on Biblical interpretation within the Communion. Lambeth 1.10 will be declared in effect non-binding;

2.  Then, through the new Code of Conduct and the Safe Church resolution, any objection to sexual expressions that are not Biblical will be deemed “harassment,” chilling any speech and bringing consequences to those who, in Anglican communion meetings, dare to raise the subject.”

Read his full report to see why – Read more

‘Cloak and dagger’ Archbishop of Canterbury selection

“The committee choosing the next leader of the world’s 77 million Anglicans is facing growing discontent from within the Church amid clams that the long-running process has become a ‘cloak and dagger’ procedure.…

The first that the world’s 77 million Anglicans are expected to know of the identity of their new leader will be when the name is announced from Downing Street.”

– Opinion piece in today’s (UK) Telegraph.

Pastoral Letter from Archbishop Wabukala

Archbishop Eliud Wabukala, Chairman of the FCA Primates Council, has released this Pastoral Letter:

“The Primates’ Council has just concluded its October 2012 meeting in Dar es Salaam where we witnessed the blessing of God in a number of key areas:

•  In the increase of our numbers
•  Through the achievements of our April meeting
•  By the testimonies of those who are joining with us
•  In the new funding provided for our communication efforts
•  Through our decision to meet again in a Global assembly
•  By the recognition that we are not alone in this spiritual battle …”

– Read it all here.

Church Society urges C of E General Synod to reject Women Bishops measure

Church Society has written to members of the Church of England’s General Synod:

“…our Council and membership contain a substantial body of ordinands, younger clergy, lay leaders and laity all of whom subscribe fully to the Society’s position, such that their ministry within the Church of England will be threatened by the proposed Measure, if it is enacted. It would be immensely damaging to the Church of England and to our country if the ministries of such men and women were seemingly rejected by our beloved national church.

It would also put us significantly at odds with most of the provinces, and the vast majority of Anglicans, in the global Anglican Communion, who do not have female bishops.…”

– Read the full letter at Evangelicals.org.

FAQs on South Carolina and TEC

The Diocese of South Carolina has posted an FAQ to get you up to speed on what’s happening – with a timeline of events.

Global South to South Carolina: We’re praying for you

Letter from the Global South Primates Steering Committee to Bishop Mark Lawrence

“We thank God for your stand for the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! We are proud that you are willing to suffer for the faith once delivered to the saints.”

Dear Bishop Mark Lawrence,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Several of the Global South Primates met recently as we gathered in Singapore for the Installation of Rt. Rev. Rennis Ponniah as the new Bishop of Singapore.

We were saddened, but not surprised, by the news of your inhibition and possible deposition by the TEC. We all want to assure you and the Diocese of South Carolina of our continuing prayers and support. We thank God for your stand for the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! We are proud that you are willing to suffer for the faith once delivered to the saints.

Please be assured that we are with you, and that our Lord is also proud of you and our brothers and sisters in the Diocese of South Carolina.

May the Lord bless you!
Yours in Christ,
+ Mouneer Egypt

The Most Revd Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis
Primate of Jerusalem & the Middle East
Bishop of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa
Chairman, Global South Primates Steering Committee

+ Ian Mauritius
The Most Revd Ian Ernest
Primate of the Indian Ocean
Bishop of Mauritius
Hon. General Secretary, Global South Primates Steering Committee

Read more

Archbishop Philip Freier’s Melbourne Synod charge

Archbishop Philip Freier’s opening address to the 50th Melbourne Synod earlier this month is now available on YouTube, or as a PDF file.

(The full video of Archbishop Peter Jensen’s 2012 Sydney Presidential Address is now online as one higher quality file here, courtesy Audio Advice.)

‘Episcopal Church abandons Bishop and Diocese’

Comment from the Diocese of South Carolina –

“These actions … are not just an attack upon Bishop Lawrence. They also represent an assault on  this Diocese and its congregations. Two of the three actions that the Episcopal Church claims prove his abandonment are in fact actions of the Diocesan Convention.”

Full text: Read more

North West Australia 2012 Synod

Bishop Gary Nelson addressed the first Synod of the Diocese of North West Australia since his arrival in May. Read his full address here (PDF). And there’s a brief report on the Synod here.

“I certainly feel I know the diocese better, even if it seems somewhat blurred at this precise moment in time. What a great God-given honour it has been to:

  • glimpse gospel ministry throughout this vast diocese;
  • meet with faithful gospel servants;
  • hear of God’s work in the lives of congregational members;
  • share with people of many backgrounds and experiences – yet one in Christ.

But what next? Where do we journey together as we love and serve our great God? Let us reflect on those questions by looking to God’s word; and then, drawing some implications for us. We will focus on three significant issues as we ponder our future. …”

‘New level of repression signalled by charges against Bishop Lawrence’

“The certification of abandonment by ECUSA’s new Disciplinary Board for Bishops, communicated to Bishop Mark Lawrence by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on October 15, 2012 raises some very troubling questions. It also evidences a new degree of repression operative in ECUSA…”

– A S Haley, Anglican lawyer writing as The Anglican Curmudgeon, takes a close look at the latest moves against South Carolina.

TEC moves against Bishop and Diocese of South Carolina

“On Monday, October 15, 2012, Bishop Mark J. Lawrence, the 14th Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina was notified by the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, that on September 18, 2012 the Disciplinary Board for Bishops had certified his abandonment of The Episcopal Church.

This action by The Episcopal Church triggered two pre-existing corporate resolutions of the Diocese, which simultaneously disaffiliated the Diocese from The Episcopal Church and called a Special Convention. That Convention will be held … on Saturday, November 17, 2012. …

The Diocese has not received a signed copy of the certification and also remains uninformed of the identity of those making these charges.”

– It only took a month to let the good Bishop know.
Details from the Diocese of South Carolina including relevant documents.

Related, from last week:
Report: Glasgow Presbytery to ‘recover all property and assets’ from St George’s Tron.

‘Anglicare says thousands going hungry’

“Anglicare Australia says Australia’s poorest are going without food, sometimes for up to 24 hours. The organisation has launched a report based on a national survey of families receiving its emergency support. …”

– ABC News has this report. Story: Anglicare Sydney.

Download “When there’s not enough to eat”. (Image: ABC.)

Synod notes Gippsland actions with ‘grave concern’

“Synod has repeated Standing Committee’s concern about the actions of the Bishop of Gippsland in appointing a clergyman openly living with a male partner. …”

– SydneyAnglicans.net has the report. Related posts.

New BCA Victorian Regional Officer

“The Bush Church Aid Society … has appointed a Ridley Melbourne Senior Lecturer, the Revd Adrian Lane, as Victorian Regional Officer…”

– Anglican Media Melbourne. (BCA media release – PDF).

Meet the new Presbyterian Moderator-General

The Pulse, the magazine of the Presbyterian Church in NSW & ACT, has a profile on Moderator-General-designate David Cook. Himself a Moore College graduate, David served as the Principal of SMBC for 26 years.

Read the profile here or on page 7 of the October 2012 edition of The Pulse (PDF). h/t Gary Ware.

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