wfn.org | AMiA consecrates four new bishops

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2001-167

Bulletin

AMiA consecrates four new bishops

     In a service that combined Anglican solemnity and Charismatic Renewal 
spontaneity, four American priests were consecrated by two archbishops of the 
Anglican Communion June 24 in Denver as "missionary bishops" to America for the 
Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) under auspices of the provinces of Rwanda and 
South East Asia.

     Cameras flashed as Archbishops Emmanuel Kolini of Rwanda and Datuk Yong Ping 
Chung of South East Asia, joined by retired American bishops Alex Dickson of 
Tennessee and Fitzsimmons Allison of South Carolina and John Rucyahana and 
Venuste Mutiganda of Rwanda, laid hands on Thaddeus Barnum, Alexander "Sandy" 
Greene, T.J. Johnston, and Douglas Weiss, bringing the number of AMiA bishops to 
six for the 5,000-member group. 

     The consecrations represented an unprecedented crossing of diocesan and 
provincial boundaries and was condemned last week by the Archbishop of Canterbury 
and several primates of the Anglican Communion as a violation of traditional 
Anglican polity.

     In his sermon to the gathering of almost a thousand people, Yong apologized 
to those who would be "offended or hurt" by the consecrations. "It is never our 
intention to offend or hurt them," he said. Later in the sermon he alluded to 
letters condemning the action, saying, "Despite tremendous pressure, we are going 
ahead with this consecration tonight." 

     Fifty clergymen processed down the aisle of the suburban Colorado Community 
Church with their hands upraised as the verses to "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus" were 
projected on to two screens flanking the dais. A praise band led by the Rev. Phil 
Eberhart of the newly-formed Resurrection Anglican Fellowship led the 
congregation in praise choruses prior to the service and in contemporary versions 
of traditional Anglican hymns.

     The service was punctuated by "amens" and applause, with a standing ovation 
for AMiA bishop Charles Murphy as he thanked the two archbishops for providing "a 
way forward" for the AMiA.

     (A more complete news story will be posted this afternoon)

--by Jan Nunley