I’ve mentioned the latest
open letter from World Relief on immigration politics and ACNA Bishop Stewart
Ruch’s signing of it with “Anglican Church in North America” attached to his
signature.
I have just now discovered that among those who have added their signatures is apparently Archbishop Foley
Beach. If the signature is
genuine, he signed as “Archbishop Foley Beach” with “Anglican Church in North
America” attached. It is now on
page 17 of the additional signatures, although that will change as people
continue to sign.
His Canon “The Venerable
Canon Dr. Jack Lumanog” has also signed, also with “Anglican Church in North
America” attached.
As for me, I stand by my previous commentary.
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UPDATE: I have received
confirmation that Archbishop Beach did indeed sign.
UPDATE 2: George Conger has dug a bit more into this matter and received a statement from the Archbishop’s
office:
In a statement given to Anglican Ink, the Most Rev. Foley Beach said he had signed the letter in “his capacity as the Archbishop.”
In a statement given to Anglican Ink, the Most Rev. Foley Beach said he had signed the letter in “his capacity as the Archbishop.”
Asked by AI by what authority he could sign the
statement as primate of the ACNA, when the ACNA’s college of bishops or
councils had not taken a stance on the issue, his spokesman responded:
“At his discretion, the Archbishop may choose to
speak into issues facing the culture.”
The note went on to say:
The note went on to say:
“Statements from the Archbishop may have persuasive
authority, but in these instances they do not commit the Church as a whole to a
particular position. The Church's definitive stance on issues facing the
culture is found in the Constitution and Canons as passed by the Provincial
Council and Provincial Assembly. To date, the full weight of the Anglican
Church in North America's authority has only been articulated on two
controversial moral issues facing our nations: the sanctity of marriage and the
sanctity of life. On other controversial issues facing our nations it is
recognized that faithful Christians may arrive at differing conclusions, and we
urge our members to search the scriptures, follow their conscience, and pray
for wisdom for our elected leaders.”
Thanks for keeping track of this, Wannabe. As I said on the Facebook thread, "Virtue signalling never takes a day off." Those who have plunged the ACNA into immigration politics haven't done much teaching on why we have a Christian obligation to support DACA, and by extension, open borders. They just keep saying over and over again how the Bible tells us that we are to "take care of the stranger." They have yet to address the question of how mass immigration and the failure to enforce US immigration laws has hurt American citizens. Perhaps Archbishop Beach and Bishop Ruch would prefer that the ACNA be a boutique church for upscale suburbanites and urban hipsters in politically blue enclaves. If they don't stop this, that all the ACNA will be.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Fr. Andy, and I've updated yet again since your comment.
ReplyDeleteI know Archbishop Beach has a good heart, but . . . well, I may revisit this. ACNA is already becoming an arena for political combat which is just about the last thing we need now.
wannabe
Hello! I've been reading your weblog for a long time now and finally got the courage
ReplyDeleteto go ahead and give you a shout out from Humble Texas!
Just wanted to tell you keep up the fantastic work!