wfn.org | Anglican Communion undermined

[Daphne Mack <dmack@episcopalchurch.org>]

Anglican Communion undermined

2002-214

Anglican Communion undermined
by unilateral action on local level,
Carey warns

by Dan England, Margaret Rodgers, and James
Rosenthal

(ACNS) In his final presidential address to the Anglican
Consultative Council, Archbishop of Canterbury George
Carey warned that unilateral action on the local level is a
threat to the Anglican Communion. 

"I must point out my greatest worry," Carey said at the
opening of the ACC in Hong Kong September 16. "I
would be failing in my duty if I recoiled away from it out
of an assumption that silence is the safer option. 

"In short, my concern is that our Communion is being
steadily undermined by dioceses and individual bishops
taking unilateral action, usually (but not always) in matters
to do with sexuality; and as a result steadily driving us
towards serious fragmentation and the real possibility of
two (or, more likely, many more) distinct Anglican bodies
emerging. This erosion of communion through the
adoption of 'local options' has been going for some thirty
years but in my opinion is reaching crisis proportions
today." 

Carey declined to discuss the issue that has led some
clergy in the Diocese of New Westminster [Canada] to
rebel against their bishop and their diocesan synod over
the blessing of same-gender relationships. 

"I respect the sincerity of Bishop Michael Ingham and his
diocesan synod, and I do not doubt that they believe that
they are acting in the best interests of all, as they see it,"
Carey said. "But I deeply regret that Michael and his
synod, and other bishops and dioceses in similar
situations in North America, seem to be making such
decisions without regard to the rest of us and against the
clear statements of Lambeth '98." 

Internal disorderliness

Carey said this matter also has serious ecumenical
implications. "I have had countless conversations with
leaders of other Churches who have spoken gently but
sternly of our internal disorderliness on issues such as this.
It is viewed as a major stumbling block to the unity we
claim we seek with the universal Church," Carey said. 

But it is not just matters of sexuality that are of concern.
Carey said the resolution he has put in for consideration
by the ACC can also be seen to entreat "the Diocese of
Sydney on the issue of Lay Presidency to submit the
matter to its Province and to have regard to the effect of
any decision it makes on the wider Communion to which
it belongs." He also pointed out that his resolution was
"relevant to the deposition of the Rev. David Moyer by
the Bishop of Pennsylvania which has consequences" for
the whole Anglican Communion. 

Vital issues

Yet the greater part of his wide-ranging presidential
address turned the attention of ACC representatives
towards the vital issues confronting the witness of the
Anglican Church in the world today. 

He listed the tension between globalization and
fragmentation, the tension between our longing for peace
and the threats that undermine it, the tension between an
"inter-faith world" and the clash of religions, and finally the
tension and clash between cultures. 

He mentioned the increasing understanding of the
importance of the Communion, while at the same time
pointing out an awareness of the "disconnectness between
the independent Provinces that cannot be the future of the
Anglican Communion." 

He urged Anglicans around the Communion to remember
they are called to carry forward the work of Christ, not to
waver in the commitment to mission in action, and to
honor the Communion's heritage of faith. 

Bonds of affection

In his conclusion Carey emphasized his confidence in the
strengthening of the Communion's bonds of affection and
its commitment to mission in action. 

"As I re-imagine the Communion I am confident that as
long as we focus on strengthening the bonds of affection
and deepen our mission to the most vulnerable, the very
poor and those without hope in Christ, we shall grow
stronger and fulfil the enormous potential of which we are
capable," Carey concluded. 

ACC members gave their president a standing ovation. 

--ACC News team: Dan England (director of
communication, ECUSA), Margaret Rodgers (CEO,
Anglican Media Sydney), James Rosenthal
(director of communications, Anglican Communion
Office).