wfn.org | Episcopalians: Executive Council calls AMiA schismatic, 'untenable'

[dmack@episcopalchurch.org]

February 28, 2002

2002-050

Episcopalians: Executive Council calls AMiA schismatic, 
'untenable'

by Jan Nunley

(ENS) Addressing "the inherent danger which comes from schism," 
the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church at its meeting in 
San Antonio, Texas, February 22-25, passed a strongly worded 
criticism of the Anglican 
Mission in America (AMiA).

In the resolution, council members said that they had 
"followed with sadness the formation and implementation of an 
ecclesial body called The Anglican Mission in America," adding 
that they were "saddened and grieved by the AMiA ordinations to 
the episcopate in Denver in June, 2001, and we affirm with the 
Archbishop of Canterbury that these ordinations, like the ones 
in Singapore, were at best irregular."

The resolution calls the "coexistence of parallel bodies 
within one province," with both claiming communion with the 
Archbishop of Canterbury, to be "untenable." In addition, it 
says, "the consecration of Bishops in ECUSA without the 
canonical process of nomination, election and consent confuses 
our people and undermines our unity."

"Further, we consider bishops of our church who participate 
in any irregular ordinations to the episcopate to be in direct 
violation of their ordination vows to conform to the doctrine, 
discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church and to guard our 
church's faith, unity and discipline as well as its 
constitutions and canons," the resolution states. Archbishop 
Datuk Yong Ping Chung of South East Asia and Archbishop Emmanuel 
Kolini, Bishops John Rucyahana and Venuste Mutiganda of Rwanda 
were joined by retired American bishops Alex Dickson of West 
Tennessee and FitzSimons Allison of South Carolina in the Denver 
consecrations. 

"While we as an Executive Council are at various points of 
understanding regarding a number of matters, we are united in 
our resolve to strive for unity in diversity without the 
necessity of division," the resolution continues. "We recognize 
that we are to uphold the Constitution and Canons of the 
Episcopal Church and we are bound to say that we believe that 
they provide adequate means for accountability."

The statement ends by calling for "dialogue at the deepest 
level regarding our differences." It was passed unanimously and 
signed by members of the council present at the San Antonio 
meeting.

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--The Rev. Jan Nunley is deputy director of Episcopal News 
Service.