No, ICCA really is not
about vestments. Nor have there
been secret thurifer workshops that I am aware of, although I have seen some
impressive 360s during processions so maybe they are practicing on the sly. So what is this Congress about?
I do not presume to
summarize the purpose and direction of this International Catholic Congress of
Anglicans myself, at least not yet.
But there have been two addresses that do summarize the direction of this
conference well, both helpfully posted on YouTube by Kevin Kallsen.
Yesterday was Edith
Humphrey’s address on conciliarity.
“Conciliar” has been much said at this conference. In fact the official theme is “Restoring
the Conciliar Church and Her Mission.” But, to be honest, I’ve had trouble getting my arms around
the concept. In fact, a student
asked me what "conciliar" means, and I doubt my answer was either cogent or very helpful.
Then came Humphrey’s
address, which sets forth a conciliar view of the church very clearly and
succinctly.
The text may be found at VirtueOnline.
This morning was an
address by Bishop Keith Ackerman, most of which was reading a paper by Canon Arthur
Middleton. Bishop Ackerman said he
had an address at the ready, but put it aside to let Middleton in effect speak
to us. It was a very good summary
of where Anglicanism is today and some of the problems with that.
And, particularly in the
bullet points towards the end of the address, I think we have heard a sneak
preview of the statement to be issued towards the end of this Congress. If so, it will be a good one indeed.
Should I come across the
text online, I shall post it.
----
By the way, Bishop
Ackerman after reading my initial post at the conference found me out and
hunted me down . . . and has exhibited an excellent and gracious sense of humor
as I expected he would.
I’m glad he got to me before
the vergers.
No comments:
Post a Comment