23 September 2015 A.D. Crackup of Anglican Communion at Hand, Evangelical Bishops Say
23 September 2015 A.D. Crackup of Anglican Communion at
Hand, Evangelical Bishops Say
Although this article is dated 19 Jul 2008, it goes to the
issue of Justin Welby’s recent call to the worldwide Anglican Primates for a
meeting in Jan 2016. “Crisis?” “Ad hoc?” "Efforts in palaver?" We recall that about 1/3 of the
Communion’s Primates did not attend Lambeth 2008. Further, we are aware that
Lambeth 2018—as an event—is on hold. Everybody and his brother has a view. We
offer this particular article for context. Again, this article is dated 19 Jul
2008.
Morgan, Timothy. “Crackup of
Anglican Communion at Hand, Evangelical Bishops Say.” Christianity Today. 19 Jul 2008. http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2008/july/crack-up-of-anglican-communion-at-hand-evangelicals-say.html.
Accessed
23 Sept 2015.
This blog post has been moved. For the article, please see "Crackup of Anglican Communion at Hand, Evangelical
Bishops Say."
Continue for the press release from GAFCON primates:
GAFCON responds to the Archbishop of Canterbury:
The Global Anglican Future Conference gathered leaders from around the
Anglican Communion for pilgrimage, prayer and serious theological reflection.
We are grateful to the Archbishop of Canterbury for engaging with the Jerusalem
Statement and Declaration. We wish to respond to some of his concerns.
On faith and false teaching. We warmly welcome the Archbishop's affirmation
of the Jerusalem Statement as positive and encouraging and in particular that
it would be shared by the vast majority of Anglicans. We are however concerned
that he should think we assume that all those outside GAFCON are proclaiming
another gospel. In no way do we believe that we are the only ones to hold a
correct interpretation of scripture according to its plain meaning. We believe
we are holding true to the faith once delivered to the saints as it has been
received in the Anglican tradition. Many are contending for and proclaiming the
orthodox faith throughout the Anglican Communion. Their efforts are, however,
undermined by those who are clearly pursuing a false gospel. We are not
claiming to be a sinless church. Our concern is with false teaching which
justifies sin in the name of Christianity. These are not merely matters of
different perspectives and emphases. They have led to unbiblical practice in
faith and morals, resulting in impaired and broken communion. We long for all
orthodox Anglicans to join in resisting this development.
On the uniqueness of Christ. We are equally concerned to hear that 'the
conviction of the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as Lord and God' is 'not in
dispute' in the Anglican Communion. Leading bishops in The Episcopal Church,
the Anglican Church of Canada, and even the Church of England have denied the
need to evangelise among people of other faiths, promoted and attended
syncretistic events and, in some cases, refused to call Jesus Lord and Saviour.
On legitimacy. In the current disorder in the Communion, GAFCON came
together as a gathering of lay leaders, clergy and bishops from over 25
countries on the basis of their confession of the common historic Christian
faith. They formed a Council in obedience to the word of God to defend the
faith and the faithful who are at risk in some Anglican dioceses and
congregations.
GAFCON, where the governing structures of many provinces were present,
affirmed such a Council of the GAFCON movement as its body to authenticate and
recognise confessing Anglican jurisdictions, clergy and congregations and to
encourage all Anglicans to promote the gospel and defend the faith.
In their primates and other bishops, the assembly saw a visible connection
to the catholic and apostolic Church and the evangelical and catholic faith
which many have received from the Church of England and the historic see of
Canterbury. It is this faith which we seek to affirm.
On authority. As the Virginia Report notes, in the Anglican tradition,
authority is not concentrated in a single centre, but rather across a number of
persons and bodies. This Council is a first step towards bringing greater order
to the Communion, both for the sake of bringing long overdue discipline and as
a reforming initiative for our institutions.
Whilst we respect territoriality, it cannot be absolute. For missionary and
pastoral reasons there have long been overlapping jurisdictions in Anglicanism
itself – historically in South Africa, New Zealand, the Gulf and Europe. In situations
of false teaching, moreover, it has sometimes been necessary for other bishops
to intervene to uphold apostolic faith and order.
On discipline. Finally, with regard to the Archbishop's concern about
people who have been disciplined in one jurisdiction and have been accepted in
another, we are clear that any such cases have been investigated thoroughly and
openly with the fullest possible transparency. Bishops and parishes have been
given oversight only after the overseeing bishops have been fully satisfied of
no moral impediments to their action.
We enclose a response to the St Andrew's Draft Covenant. (See separate
post).
We assure the Archbishop of Canterbury of our respect as the occupier of an
historic see which has been used by God to the benefit of his church and
continue to pray for him to be given wisdom and discernment.
Signed
The Most Rev Peter Akinola, Primate of Nigeria
The Most Rev Justice Akrofi, Primate of West Africa
The Most Rev Emmanuel Kolini, Primate of Rwanda
The Most Rev Valentine Mokiwa, Primate of Tanzania
The Most Rev Benjamin Nzmibi, Primate of Kenya
The Most Rev Henry Orombi, Primate of Uganda
The Most Rev Gregory Venables, Primate of The Southern Cone
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