Bishop Duncan’s speech to the Anglican Communion Network Council made reference to the fact that seven out of the ten “Network dioceses” have appealed to the Archbishop of Canterbury, in one form or another, for an alternative form of oversight.
Central Florida, Fort Worth (Texas), Pittsburgh, Springfield (Illinois), San Joaquin (California) and South Carolina have announced they are seeking “alternative primatial oversight.” The Diocese of Dallas recently announced it had asked the Archbishop of Canterbury for “direct primatial oversight.”
The other three “Network dioceses” which have not so far taken similar action are Albany (New York), Quincy (Illinois) and Rio Grande (New Mexico and part of Texas).
However, not all Episcopalians in those dioceses are happy about these actions. Episcopal News Service reports that Via Media USA calls realignment efforts ‘stumbling-block’ to Episcopalians. And that Via Media USA groups connect people, focus on mission.
A news report from the Orlando Sentinel was headlined Episcopalians urge against diocese breaking away. The press statement from Episcopal Voices of Central Florida can be read here.
The Living Church has interviewed Robert Duncan Bishop of Pittsburgh and moderator of the Anglican Communion Network. You can read the interview in full here.
ENS has also reported that:
The 80 delegates to the Anglican Communion Network’s (ACN) Annual Council meeting in Pittsburgh agreed to support the process of developing an outline of “basic and unifying theological commitments” to which all members would be expected to adhere.
The document is referred to in an August 2 ACN news release as a “Covenant Declaration of the Common Cause Partners.” On July 13, the Network posted on its website a “theological statement” and a “mission covenant statement.”
The “theological” statement is probably sufficiently obscurantist to ensure that only one man signs up to it – its author.
Simon, I don’t know if you saw this…I copied it from Episcopalvoicescf.com The following appears in this week’s issue of The Living Church: I have read the decision made by the bishop, members of the standing committee and executive board of the Diocese of Central Florida to request alternative primatial oversight. In doing this they have joined the five other dioceses that have made this request of the Archbishop of Canterbury. I don’t know what procedures the other dioceses followed to reach their decisions. I do know that Central Florida’s decision was not reached by any broader constituency than the… Read more »
Wow. Bishop Duncan said a whole lot…of nothing. That sounds like an unwelcome interview conducted while running from the car to the office rather than a serious conversation with a (mostly) friendly publication.
“We believe the teaching of the Seven Ecumenical Councils in so far as they are agreeable to Holy Scriptures” So Scripture is not just a big part of Tradition, it is the arbiter of Tradition? Sounds like a Reformation era “reappraisal” to me. Odd they should use the word “orthodox” to describe this. And the 39 Articles are “foundational for authentic Anglican belief and practice and as correctives to doctrinal abuses.” Really? How many AC parishes in their number, I wonder. How many of them carry about, lift up, or worship the Sacrament, I wonder. Or do they just apply… Read more »
“And the 39 Articles are ‘foundational for authentic Anglican belief and practice and as correctives to doctrinal abuses.’ Really? How many AC parishes in their number, I wonder.”—Ford Elms Exactly, Ford. In 1988 I completed the Education for Ministry (EFM) theology course at Trinity Church Wall Street in New York City. At that time, our Mentor took a poll of us EFM students as to whether or not we would sign on to the 39 Articles of Religion. None of us would do so. Is it surprising that the Articles are not required belief for Episcopalians, clergy or lay? They… Read more »
I have shared my own questions about the theological statement on my own blog http://episcopalhospitalchaplain.blogspot.com/2006/07/anglican-confessional-network.html I noted reports sounding as if this were somehow still a work in progress. That said, I doubt there would be much change.
It certainly describes a new confession, intended to be in parallel with Augsburg or Westminster. It can clear some things, I suppose; but I would assert it certainly isn’t Anglican.
Sorry Marshall, but your blog is not coming up.-
>>>Is it surprising that the Articles are not required belief for Episcopalians, clergy or lay? They may have served a purpose in 16th century England, but to promote them as a standard of belief in the 21st century is, well—quaint, to say the least.
You know, considering the oft-expressed “reasserter” preoccupation with the 39 Articles and the 1662 prayerbook, I can’t help but wonder if what is really going on here is a desire to repudiate the Enlightenment and everything since. It certainly sounds that way.