wfn.org | [ENS] A Word to the Church from Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold

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A Word to the Church

I have just returned several hours ago from the meeting of the Primates in 
London. It was a difficult but very truthful meeting in which our 
understanding of one another9s contexts and the burdens each one of us must 
bear were made abundantly clear. I have ever greater respect and affection 
for these brothers of mine and for the ministry they carry out, often in 
the most difficult and seemingly hopeless circumstances.

The effects for our Anglican brothers and sisters of our action taken at 
General Convention giving consent to the ordination and consecration of the 
bishop coadjutor-elect of New Hampshire were described in very stark terms. 
Many spoke about ridicule they had received within their provinces and the 
threat to their ability to proclaim the gospel, particularly in places 
where other religions are dominant.

The statement issuing from our meeting reflects hours of intense 
conversation and confrontation, always in the spirit of mutual respect. It 
is too soon to draw out all the implications contained in the statement or 
to see exactly how its provisions might best be articulated. I will have 
more to say at a later time.

One paragraph of the statement reads as follows: Whilst we reaffirm the 
teaching of successive Lambeth Conferences that bishops must respect the 
autonomy and territorial integrity of dioceses and provinces other than 
their own, we call on the provinces concerned to made adequate provision 
for episcopal oversight of dissenting minorities within their own area of 
pastoral care in consultation with the Archbishop of Canterbury on behalf 
of the Primates.2 On this coming Monday I will be meeting with the Pastoral 
Development Committee of the House of Bishops to begin to consider how best 
we can honor this concern, building on the already expressed willingness of 
our bishops to make provision for extended episcopal ministry in particular 
circumstances.

I returned home with a sense of gratitude for all of the members of our 
church, regardless of our various points of view. I am grateful even for 
our struggles in which we so openly and honestly engage. I pray they may be 
a gift. I believe that what has occurred in the Episcopal Church is the 
work of the Spirit. As difficult as this moment may be, if this is, in 
fact, a work of the Spirit it will contain some yet to be revealed way in 
which communion in that same Spirit is made stronger and deeper. This is my 
hope and my prayer.

This brief word to the church comes with my love and my blessings.

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold

Presiding Bishop and Primate