An Important Statement from the Global South Primates

As many of you know, 18 Primates over 55 million Anglicans issued a statement of strong recommendations to the Lambeth Commission recently.

Some highlights:

The Primates recommend that the Lambeth Commission call on the ECUSA to “repent.� And that call would have some teeth:

Should ECUSA fail to comply within three months, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates should then take appropriate disciplinary action, which should include the suspension and ultimate expulsion of ECUSA from fellowship and membership of the Anglican Communion.

As for those in North America who remain orthodox:

Recognition and full Episcopal and pastoral oversight should be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates to those dioceses, parishes and laity within ECUSA who continue to uphold the historic faith and order of the Anglican Communion.

Note the reference to parishes and laity. The Primates are saying that even if your diocese stinks and even if there’s not an orthodox parish for miles, there should still be a place provided for you in the Anglican Communion.

And they aren’t forgetting you Canadians either:

Similar measures should be applied to the Bishop and Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster, Canada for their unilateral approval and implementation of rites for the blessing of same sex union.

In case someone might think these are merely suggestions to get discussion going, the Primates add:

As Primates of the Global South, we are of one mind that these measures are essential to preserve our Communion in true union and to avoid the tragic realignment which would otherwise be inevitable.

Now read that again, and again. It’s that important. … O. K. You probably see they are saying in a nice way that failure to carry out some version of these recommendations will likely split the Anglican Communion. They will not put up with business as usual.

I think this stand by the Global South Primates is wonderful news. The worst possible outcome and one I’ve feared would be the following: The Lambeth Commission issues a nice sounding very Anglican statement this Fall that has no teeth and no adequate place for North American orthodox. The orthodox Primates would be unhappy, but not really do anything about it. Meanwhile, North American orthodox Anglicans would be abandoned and persecuted by their own church.

I think 18 Primates have just made clear that is NOT going to happen. The Anglican Communion MUST deal with the ECUSA and MUST provide a place for orthodox North American Anglicans, or the Anglican Communion as we know it is over.

And if anyone doubts the resolve of the southern Primates, remember a number of them are refusing money from North American liberals at great personal cost. May God bless their courage and provide for them.

Personally, I’m now confident there will be a place for me in a worldwide Anglican Communion even if it’s not the current Anglican Communion, and even if I won’t join the ECUSA. I think recent meetings of Anglican Primates with bishops from continuing Anglican bodies, such as the Reformed Episcopal Church, back up my hope.

So hang in there orthodox North American Anglicans (and WannabeAnglicans). God and the Global South Primates are looking out for you.