wfn.org | ACNS3696 Bishop says Europe no model for schism

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3696     |     EUROPE     |     2 DECEMBER 2003 

Bishop says Europe no model for schism

[ACNS source: The Convocation of American Churches in Europe] The Rt
Revd Pierre W. Whalon, Bishop-in-charge of the Convocation of American
Churches in Europe, says that the situation of the four Anglican
jurisdictions in Europe provides no model for parallel jurisdictions. "I
am quite disturbed," said the bishop, "to hear over and over that we
have a model for parallel jurisdictions that could help solve the
present crisis in the Episcopal Church. Nothing could be further from
the truth."

Writing in his regular column in this week's Anglicans Online, Bishop
Whalon explains the convoluted situation in Europe, with its two
geographical dioceses and two essentially non-geographical
jurisdictions. He then discusses existing parallel jurisdictions as "the
institutionalization of schisms". 

"Schism is so much worse than heresy," the bishop remarked about his
article, echoing his very first Anglicans Online column published four
years ago. "Heresy eventually burns itself out, because it is wrong, or
else its kernel of truth gets incorporated into the Church's
self-understanding. Schism, however, lasts for centuries and is very
difficult to reverse. Schism has never resolved a conflict. It is
moreover utter disobedience of our Lord, who commands us without
exception to 'love one another as he has loved us.'"

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