Lionel Deimel, who is an American in Pittsburgh, has written two articles (so far) with this title.
Why No Anglican Covenant: Part 1
I want to begin by considering how the notion of an Anglican covenant has been promoted and the actual nature of the covenant drafts that have been proposed. Everyone else seems to capitalize “covenant” in the phrase “Anglican Covenant,” by the way. I will do so when it makes sense to talk about the Anglican Covenant. We are not there yet…
Why No Anglican Covenant: Part 2
There is much to be said about what is in the Ridley Cambridge Draft proposed as an Anglican covenant. Too little attention has been paid to what is not in the draft, however. In this essay, I want to discuss an important provision that is missing…
“Despite protestations that the current conflicts are not about sex, however, only the moratoria involving homosexual persons seem to be of significant interest to the elements of the Communion upset with The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada. Neither the primates generally nor the Archbishop of Canterbury in particular have condemned the border crossings with conviction. They have surely done nothing to stop them. – Lionel Deimel – In the 2nd part of Lionel Deimel’s excellent blog on ‘Why No Anglican Covenant’, he makes the very valid point that – though the current stand-off in the Communion is… Read more »
I agree with much of what is written there, but not: ‘Frank Turner recently even went so far as to suggest that the Anglican Communion is more imaginary than real.’ I don’t think that was the suggestion, and if it was it was wrongly sourced. Rather, instead, the imaginary community is one that brings about institutions of control as indeed is being proposed in the Anglican Communion case. I would disagree about competition too. The fact is that Churches evolve, and a point may come as two poles of a Church develop that they become irreconcilable and split. One side… Read more »
The thing of it is, is that it is nothing but a weapon, not a “covenant”.
“Evangelical mega-pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church addressed the (AMiA) Anglicans and charged the three new leaders to faithfully shepherd the flocks God had placed in their care. “If God has called you to shepherd His flock, don’t give up that call to do anything else. There is no higher calling,” said Warren.” Report on V.o.l. from AMiA episcopal Ordinations The above report by Mr David Virtue on his V.o.l. web-site is just one more reason that TEC could never sign up in a Covenant relationship with, among other dissidents, the schismatic African -led church group, AMiA, in the USA… Read more »
Lionel D is a gift to church life, locally, regionally, provincially, globally. Thanks, LD, for all the blessings. Thinking like yours – deep, careful, truth telling – is a strong part of what made USA Anglicanism viable for me so long ago, back in college as my USA Bible Belt was fraying, ripping seams, and devolving to the point that the buckles fell off.
Thank God for LD.
Dr. Deimel is positively a genius. He speaks straight and to the point. We do not need or want a covenant, whose main purpose seems to be to allow any province who so desires to meddle in the selection of our diocesan bishops. The arrogance displayed by the conservative provinces and a tiny minority of TEC dioceses here is breathtaking. The diocese of Dallas is about to waste its entire convention in “discussing” the covenant. Thank God it appears even the ABC is not convinced mere dioceses can override their province. Three speakers will inform the delegates about the covenant.… Read more »