My Thoughts on U. S. Anglican Doings

Going into the TEC House of Bishops meeting, which just ended, and the Common Cause College of Bishops meeting, which just began, I felt it was necessary for Common Cause to unite into a new province, if necessarily with a federal structure. And I was convinced that the Episcopal Church is no place for the orthodox.

That much hasn’t changed. But the events in the TEC HOB meeting gave me two negative surprises which have hardened my views even further if you can imagine that.

1. As I mentioned a few days ago, Rowan Williams’ clarity on his attitude toward distressed North American Anglicans and those new bishops shepherding them shocked me. His stated solution to those who can’t stay in the Episcopal Church is . . . to stay in the Episcopal Church and not come under those “illicit bishops” outside TEC.

2. It’s hard to know for sure. But so far it seems the tripe passed by the TEC HOB received only one no vote. In a way I’m glad if this is so. It speaks volumes on the spinelessness of those so-called Windsor bishops who are dead set on remaining in the Episcopal Church.

These two factors make it even clearer, if that’s possible, that there is no safe place for the orthodox in the Episcopal Church. And forget about Rowan coming to the rescue. Please. Frankly my sympathy for the arguments of those who want to stay in, especially the Windsor bishops, is wearing thin.

So I will continue to pray and pray hard for the Common Cause meeting. I don’t want to think about the consequences if they fail to make significant progress toward forming a new orthodox Anglican province.

Lord have mercy upon us.
Christ have mercy upon us.
Lord have mercy upon us.

UPDATE:
A hat tip to Baby Blue for this update:
The New York Times confirms only one bishop voiced a “no” vote.

The Last Straw

For most of his tenure as Archbishop of Canterbury, I’ve respected, even to some extent trusted Rowan Williams.

No more.

Yes, though I’ve been quiet about it, I’ve been watching Anglican developments back in the U. S. And in the press conference today in New Orleans, Rowan Williams completely lost any right to be trusted by orthodox Anglicans.

The whole thing is appalling, including his spinning the Tanzania Communique as just a “place to start.” But the following is what is the last straw for me.

Q: What would you say to those who want to be Anglican but cannot in good conscience remain Episcopalian?

ABC: Start by looking for arrangements and situations within what is there because grace is given through even hopeless places. Isn’t God’s grace still given sacramentally in the Episcopal Church? I would be slow to look for solutions elsewhere.

In other words, if you in good conscience can’t remain Episcopalian, then . . . remain Episcopalian.

Thanks a lot, Rowan. Really helpful there.

And this (The emphasis is mine.):

Q: There have been interventions throughout the Episcopal Church Does this trouble you?

ABC: yes, there is a long history of unease about this in the Church. I would really, really prefer and hope to work for a local solution. My predecessor would not recognize illicit bishops I find myself in the same difficulty. More interventions make it difficult to find viable solutions.

“Illicit bishops”?!? That’s what he calls new bishops seeking to provide relief to the orthodox. Instead of giving them the respect and position they merit, he insults them.

Has he called anything The Episcopal Church or any other apostates have done “illicit”?

He has shown today that he doesn’t give a damn about distressed North American Anglicans.

That’s it for me.

I once desired to be in full communion with Canterbury. Now I don’t even know if I can take communion again in the U. K., even from a staunchly orthodox parish. I took communion tonight at Christ Church before I read about this press conference. I’m glad it was an excellent service (which I’ll probably post on), because I probably will not be able to take communion there or anywhere in any church in full communion with Canterbury again.

I hope against hope I can one day without reservation.

But I’m not holding my breath. Bring on a new orthodox Anglican Communion.