‘Church within a Church’
Posted on June 28, 2008
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A communiqué being prepared by pilgrims to the Global Anglican Future Conference will call for new structures to support conservatives and likely formalize a break with the Episcopal Church.
The changes Gafcon sees are new structural relations between Anglican churches including a break with the progressive wing of The Episcopal Church, a common approach to reading the Bible, a new catechism and a new Book of Common Prayer shared by conservatives across the Communion, Nigerian Bishop John Akao said.
The “centre of Anglicanism has shifted from Europe to Africa,” Sydney lay leader and member of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Panel of Reference, Robert Tong said. Past pan-Anglican gatherings had been jamborees where we “were all scouts together,” Mr Tong said, but the rise in influence of African Anglicanism meant a change was in the works for what it meant to be Anglican. …
On the opening night of the conference, Archbishop Akinola stated Gafcon had “no intention” of starting a new church … However, the archbishop’s colleagues explained that being an Anglican did not mean loyalty to a church system centring round the Archbishop of Canterbury, but to a set of theological principles. …
– Read the full report by George Conger for Religious Intelligence.
(Photo of Robert Tong by Joy Gwaltney.)
Women support Akinola
Posted on June 27, 2008
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Mrs Oluranti Ademowo said that the women who form the majority of worshippers in the Anglican Church in Nigeria are solidly in support of the Primate of Nigeria Archbishop Peter Akinola in the campaign to uphold Biblical authority. …
– From the Church of Nigeria website. (Photo: Peter Frank.)
Dawn in Jerusalem
Posted on June 27, 2008
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According to the schedule the final communiqué will be reviewed and put forward for adoption on Sunday morning. Participants will discuss a draft of the final this morning in small workshop groups.
The process by which the communiqué is being drafted is an interesting one. The purpose is to include the whole conference in creating the final draft. Cynical observers (like myself unfortunately) might assume that the content of the communiqué is foreordained; that the pretence of pilgrim participation is just that, but I do not think so this time. …
– Matt Kennedy posts at Stand Firm.
Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi (Kenya) with Mrs. Kwashi (Nigeria) at press briefing. Photo: Joy Gwaltney.
The pointy end of GAFCON
Posted on June 27, 2008
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“As GAFCON makes its exciting, inspiring and exhausting way into its second half, the question of ‘What next?’ is becoming more and more urgent. So many are looking for so much from this conference. We are facing a danger of unrealistic expectations.
And yet, as GAFCON has already, from my point of view at least, achieved so much more than a realist would expect, then just maybe the crucial final statement will do the job.
There are at least four distinct groups of delegates here, all with different approaches to GAFCON. …”
– Bishop Robert Forsyth writes from GAFCON at SydneyAnglicans.net. So does Dr Karin Sowada. (Photo: Russell Powell.)
GAFCON moves towards agreement
Posted on June 27, 2008
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The chair of the Statement Committee at the Global Anglican Future Conference has told a media briefing that there is already general agreement on a number of points as the meeting is just two days away from issuing its final communique. …
– Report from Russell Powell at SydneyAnglicans.net.
American conservatives ‘not bank-rolling GAFCON’
Posted on June 27, 2008
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Claims the Global Anglican Future Conference is being underwritten by American conservative money is false …
Bishop-elect AkinTunde Popoola, the Church of Nigeria’s press spokesman said two donors gave the bulk of the funds. … The suggestion that shadowy Western financiers were behind Gafcon was “nonsense” he said.
– Report from George Conger at Religious Intelligence. Apparently a response to this. (Photo: Joy Gwaltney)
GAFCON Slideshow Day 4
Posted on June 26, 2008
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Here’s a slideshow of photos taken at GAFCON on Day 4 – Wednesday. Includes photos of Australians at GAFCON.
You can also see our slideshow of Day 3.
– and Monday’s photos from the Mount of Olives.
Video of the GAFCON service at Ophel Gardens
Posted on June 26, 2008
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See Anglican Media Sydney’s video clip here.
‘Why I will not be attending Lambeth’ – Wallace Benn
Posted on June 26, 2008
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The Rt. Rev Wallace Benn, Bishop of Lewes, says he will not be attending the upcoming Lambeth Conference because he can’t have fellowship with those who have “broken fellowship”, and because revisionist American and Canadian bishops are persecuting his friends, including one of the world’s foremost Anglican theologians, Dr. J. I. Packer. …
– Story from VirtueOnline. (Photo: Peter Frank.)
The Australian team at GAFCON
Posted on June 26, 2008
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The Australian contingent – at the Ophel Gardens service.
At left: The Western Australian contingent – including the small team from the largest (by area) Anglican diocese in the world, North West Australla.
Martin Foord, Bishop David and Maureen Mulready (NWA), Lachlan and Bec Edwards, Kanishka Raffel
Photos: Russell Powell.
Short on the Word of God
Posted on June 26, 2008
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David Short, Rector of St John’s Shaughnessy, gave the GAFCON Bible exposition from the book of Exodus on Wednesday. He reaffirmed the centrality of the Word of God for the people of God – from the time of Exodus to now.
Listen to an excerpt (90 sec / 750kb mp3 direct link) courtesy GAFCON. (Photo: Joy Gwaltney)
Update: Cheryl M. Wetzel, Editor of The Anglican Voice, has posted her notes from David’s talk.
Pittsburgh creates new legal corporation
Posted on June 26, 2008
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Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh has successfully filed for incorporation with the state of Pennsylvania to create a new corporation titled the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh. A long-time critic of Bishop Robert Duncan claims the action is intended to make legal challenges to diocesan ownership of property more difficult in the event that delegates to the annual convention vote to disaffiliate from The Episcopal Church in October. …
– Report from The Living Church.
Bishop J.C. Ryle: strangely up-to-date
Posted on June 26, 2008
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“In reviews, magazines, newspapers, lectures, essays and sometimes even in sermons, scores of clever writers are incessantly waging war against the very foundations of Christianity.
Reason, science, geology, anthropology, modern discoveries, free thought, are all boldly asserted to be on their side. No educated person, we are constantly told nowadays, can really believe supernatural religion, or the plenary inspiration of the Bible, or the possibility of miracles.
Such ancient doctrines as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the personality of the Holy Spirit, the atonement, the obligation of the Sabbath, the necessity and efficacy of prayer, the existence of the devil and the reality of future punishment, are quietly put on the shelf as useless old almanacs, or contemptuously thrown overboard as lumber!
And all this is done so cleverly, and with such an appearance of candour and liberality, and with such compliments to the capacity and nobility of human nature, that multitudes of unstable Christians are carried away as by a flood, and become partially unsettled, if they do not make complete shipwreck of faith.”
– Bishop J. C. Ryle (1816–1900) in chapter 19 of his classic book, “Holiness”.
Chancellor Peter Grogan resigns
Posted on June 26, 2008
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Statement from the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen
June 16, 2008.
“The Chancellor of the Diocese of Sydney, His Honour Acting Judge Peter Grogan has presented his resignation to me due to health problems, and on the advice of his doctor, I have accepted his resignation with regret.
Judge Grogan was appointed Chancellor at a difficult time, following the death of the former Chancellor. He has filled the office with distinction, and has worked tirelessly. He has always provided advice which is wise, considered and godly. I know you will join with me in assuring Judge Grogan and his wife Val of our sincere appreciation and our prayers.
With my imminent departure overseas for GAFCON, I considered it important to ensure that the office of Chancellor was filled. I have therefore asked Mr Robert Tong to take on the role of Acting Chancellor. Mr Tong has long and extensive experience of the Diocese and of church law. I am grateful that he has agreed to act in this way, while I give consideration to the future.”
– Media release from Sydney Diocese. (Photo: Judge Grogan. Sorry for the late posting.)
GAFCON Slideshow Day 3
Posted on June 25, 2008
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Here’s a slideshow of photos taken at GAFCON on Day 3 – Tuesday.
What we believe
The message at the heart of Christianity is really quite simple…