wfn.org | Statement from African Anglican Bishop's Conference

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

ACNS 3906     |     AFRICA     |     28 OCTOBER 2004

A Statement from the Primates gathered at the first African Anglican
Bishop's Conference

We are gathered at an extraordinary and historic meeting of Anglican
Bishops from all over Africa. We do so grateful for the Faith once
delivered to the saints and the generosity of those who first brought
the good news of Jesus Christ to the African continent.

*We have come to celebrate the coming of age of the Church in Africa and
we look forward to taking our rightful place in the various councils of
the wider church. In that context we have received the Windsor Report
prepared at the Primates' request and in preparation for our meeting in
February we offer the following preliminary reflections:

*We are very grateful for the hard work of the Commission members and
the dedicated servant leadership offered by the Most Reverend Robin
Eames. We believe that the Windsor Report offers a way forward that has
the potential of being marked with God's grace.

*We believe that the Windsor Report correctly points out that the
Episcopal Church USA and the Diocese of New Westminster have pushed the
Anglican Communion to the breaking point. The report rightly states that
they did not listen to the clear voices of the Communion, rejected the
Counsel of the four Instruments of Unity and ignored the plea of the
Primates of the Global South in their statements issued on October 16th
and November 2nd, 2003.

*We call on the Episcopal Church USA and the Anglican Church of Canada
to take seriously the need for "repentance, forgiveness and
reconciliation enjoined on us by Christ" (Windsor Report Paragraph 134)
and move beyond informal expressions of regret for the effect of their
actions to a genuine change of heart and mind. Failure to do so would
indicate that they have chosen to "walk alone" and follow another
religion.

*We note with approval that the Windsor Report calls for a moratorium on
the election and consecration of any candidate to the episcopate who is
living in same gender union and the use of rites for the blessing of
same-sex unions. We urge the Episcopal Church USA and the Anglican
Church of Canada to take this call to heart mindful of Lambeth
Resolution 1.10 "We cannot advise the legitimizing or blessing of same
sex unions nor ordaining those involved in same gender unions." Failure
to do so would indicate that they have chosen to "walk alone."

*The Windsor Report acknowledges the great pain that has been inflicted
upon faithful communities that have resisted doctrinal innovations
within Episcopal Church USA and the Anglican Church of Canada. However,
we reject the moral equivalence drawn between those who have initiated
the crisis and those of us in the Global South who have responded to
cries for help from beleaguered friends. To call on us to "express
regret" and reassert our commitment to the Communion is offensive in
light of our earlier statements. If the Episcopal Church USA had not
willfully "torn the fabric of our communion at its deepest level" our
actions would not have been necessary.

*We note with approval the recognition that extraordinary episcopal care
is needed for congregations alienated from their diocesan bishops. We
remain convinced that the adequacy of that care should be determined by
those who receive it, and we are looking for clear evidence that the
Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight proposal is effective by this
measure.

*We are encouraged by the suggestions offered for restructuring the
various instruments of unity to strengthen our common life. We look
forward to the day when the voices of the majority of the Anglican
Communion are adequately represented in those various instruments.

We are committed to the future life of the Anglican Communion, one that
is rooted in truth and charity, and faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus
Christ.

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