wfn.org | [ENS] A Word to the Church

["mika larson" <mini.mika@verizon.net>]

10/17/2003

A Word to the Church

[Episcopal News Service] 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