wfn.org | Canadian Anglican Primate blasts "aggressive" ordinations

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Anglican Primate blasts "aggressive" ordinations

Toronto, February 7, 2000 --

Archbishop Michael Peers has used the strongest language yet in the
widespread condemnation of irregular ordinations aimed at undermining the
leadership of the Episcopal Church in the United States.

Archbishop Peers, the Primate of The Anglican Church of Canada, termed
recent ordinations in Singapore "an act of aggression" and "an open and
premeditated assault on Anglican tradition, catholic order and Christian
charity."

Last week in Singapore the Primates of Rwanda and South East Asia
consecrated two American priests as bishops and said they would be
"released" into the United States. Archbishop Peers said: "Bishops are not
intercontinental ballistic missiles, manufactured on one continent and
fired into another as an act of aggression."

The ordinations have been roundly condemned by liberal and conservative
forces alike. Archbishop Harry Goodhew of the Diocese of Sydney (Australia)
noted that a meeting of the Primates is to take place next month, and
conservative church leaders, including Archbishop Moses Tay of South East
Asia, had agreed in Kampala last month not to take any precipitous actions
before the Primates meeting.

"I am surprised and not a little disappointed that people who were present
at Kampala, and expressed support for what was agreed upon, have moved now
beyond that agreement and have taken action that is contrary to the tenor
and spirit of our shared understanding," Archbishop Goodhew said.

An article on the web site of the conservative organization Forward in
Faith America says the ordinations are likely invalid because "certain
necessary ingredients to make the ordinations valid were missing and/or
certain impediments were present." It lists nine 'ingredients and
impediments,' including "the veil of secrecy surrounding the event did not
allow for a proper use of the Si quis," a clause in the ordination rite
which allows objections to be expressed.

The Archbishop of Canterbury termed the ordinations "irresponsible and
irregular" and said the action was "a grave disappointment." In the United
States, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said he was "appalled" by the
"singularly unhelpful" actions and "profoundly disturbed by the caricature
that has been presented of the Episcopal Church in the United States."

Archbishop Peers, who is partly responsible for planning the meeting of
Primates next month, said the ordinations indicate the need for Primates to
deepen their understanding of Episcopal ministry.
The text of Archbishop Peers' statement follows:

Statement by Archbishop Michael Peers, member for the Americas of the
Primates' Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion:

I write as a member of the Primates' Standing Committee which, together
with the Archbishop of Canterbury, has spent time over the past months
planning the March meeting of Primates.

Because of the recent action in Singapore, there will be greater need at
that meeting to deepen the understanding of Primates about episcopal ministry.

In the Anglican tradition, bishops are chosen by the local church according
to its standards and practices. The persons chosen are affirmed by the
wider church, that is, the province, and then ordained by bishops acting
in, with, and for the church of the diocese and province.

Bishops are not intercontinental ballistic missiles, manufactured on one
continent and fired into another as an act of aggression.

The recent irregular ordination in Singapore is, in my opinion, an open and
premeditated assault on Anglican tradition, catholic order and Christian
charity.

I ask for the prayers of the whole church for the Primates' Meeting that it
may contribute to deeper comprehension, mutual trust, and godly quietness
among its members and throughout the Communion.

Archbishop Michael G. Peers
Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
Member of the Standing Committee of the Primates' Meeting
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