Dear Brothers and Sisters,
It is not quite 11:30 PM here in Orlando. In London it is not quite 4:30 AM tomorrow. And Jonathan Petre of the London Telegraph has just released a story about yesterday’s meeting between four American Bishops (Howe, Central Florida; MacPherson, Western Louisiana; Smith, North Dakota; and Stanton, Dallas) with the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church.Petre could not have been much more inaccurate! Here are his opening remarks:
“The Archbishop of Canterbury is backing secret plans to create a ‘parallel’ Church for American conservatives to avert fresh splits over homosexuality…. Dr Rowan Williams has held confidential talks with senior American bishops and theologians who oppose the pro-gay policies of their liberal leaders….
“Dr Williams is desperate to minimize further damage in the run up to the once-a-decade Lambeth Conference this summer which could be boycotted by more than a fifth of the world’s bishops….
“According to insiders, Dr Williams has given his blessing to the plans to create an enclave for up to 20 conservative American bishops that would insulate them from their liberal colleagues.”
No, Dear Friends. Here is a summary of what we presented to the Presiding Bishop yesterday. We were not quite ready to release it, but in the light of this significant distortion, I am doing so tonight:
Communion Partners
In the context of the Episcopal Visitors concept announced by the Presiding Bishop at the House of Bishops meeting in New Orleans, a number of us have reflected a need for a larger gathering which we are calling Communion Partners. We believe such a gathering will afford us the opportunity for mutual support, accountability and fellowship; and present an important sign of our connectedness in and vision for the Anglican Communion as it moves through this time of stress and renewal.
Purpose:
To provide a visible link for those concerned to the Anglican Communion
Many within our dioceses and in congregations in other dioceses seek to be assured of their connection to the Anglican Communion. Traditionally, this has been understood in terms of bishop-to-bishop relationships. Communion Partners fleshes out this connection in a significant and symbolic way.
To provide fellowship, support and a forum for mutual concerns between bishops
The Bishops who have been designated Episcopal Visitors together with others who might well consider being included in this number share many concerns about the Anglican Communion and its future, and look to work together with Primates and Bishops from the Global South. In addition, we believe we all have need of mutual encouragement, prayer, and reassurance. The Communion Partners will be a forum for these kinds of relationships.
To provide a partnership to work toward the Anglican Covenant and according to Windsor principles..
The Bishops will work together according to the principles outlined in the Windsor Report and seek a comprehensive Anglican Covenant at the Lambeth Conference and beyond.
Scope:
The Communion Partners will be informally gathered – there will be no “charter” or formal structure
Are committed to non-boundary-crossing: the relationships will be governed by mutual respect and proceed by invitation and cooperation
Will work with mutual cooperation within and beyond the partnership
Participants:
The Episcopal Visitors who desire to participate (EVs named at House of Bishops New Orleans)
Those Bishops who are willing to serve as EVs
Initially, five Primates of the Global South: West Indies, Tanzania, Indian Ocean, Burundi, Middle East
Transparency:
Communication of activities with both the Presiding Bishop and Archbishop of Canterbury
Respect for the canonical realities, integrities and structures of the Episcopal Church and other Churches
Our purpose in meeting with Bishop Schori yesterday was to apprize her of this plan, seek her counsel, and assure her that we remain committed to working within the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, and that the Primates involved in this discussion are NOT involved in “border crossing,” nor would we be. We will visit
no congregation without the Diocesan Bishop’s invitation and permission. We do believe this is a step forward, albeit a small one.I hope this is helpful, and I thank you for your prayers regarding this important meeting.
Warmest regards in our Lord,
The Right Rev. John W. Howe
Episcopal Bishop of Central Florida
This plan, in my opinion, is just the same old DEPO pig gussied up in a nice pink dress and lipstick. Parishes in hostile dioceses are still under the Communion bus. They would recieve no succor or help. The possibility of “orthodox” bishops arriving to confirm and perform visitations is very nice, but since the entire process is controlled and overseen by heretical diocesan bishops who will continue to determine succession and demand assessments, it is only a matter of time before orthodox parishes in heretical diocese become extinct. When the rector leaves or the vicar is removed, that will be the end of the game.
Few non-collaborationist parishes within heretical diocese could accept in good conscience a plan that calls for continued financial support of, participation with, and obedience to heretic bishops.
I see this as nothing more than an expansion and internationalization of DEPO. As Fr. Dan Martins suggests, it is too little too late, but worse, it is a recipee for the eventual defeat and destruction of internal resistance within heretical jurisdictions.
170 Comments •
My statement was wrong.
Nope. It is just a side-step, part of a dance. No progress here. I am sorry to learn that Bp McPherson and Bp Stanton were part of this; I expected better from them.