Saturday, June 09, 2007

Why Lambeth could fail: TEC will fight to the bitter end for properties

[VirtueOnline] 9 June 2007--"We in CAPA want to say clearly and unequivocally to the rest of the Communion: the time has come for the North American churches to repent or depart. We in the Global South have always made repentance the starting point for any reconciliation and resumption of fellowship in the Communion. We shall not accept cleverly worded excuses but rather a clear acknowledgement by these churches that they have erred and "intend to lead a new life" in the Communion (2 Corinthians 4:2). Along with this open statement of repentance must come "fruits befitting repentance" (Luke 3:8). They must reverse their policies and prune their personnel." ---The Road to Lambeth

We are fast approaching the point in the Anglican Communion where a crisis can no longer be averted by acceptance of covenants, reports (Windsor), communiques and high flying talk of diversity, inclusivity, reconciliation and healing. It has become apparent that a parting of the ways is inevitable. The test will be how Archbishop Rowan Williams proposes to handle it. Truthfully he is in a no win situation. He is being cursed by American and British Anglican homosexuals for "betraying" them by caving into "homophobic" African bishops.

At the same time, Western Anglican liberals and revisionist bishops have made it abundantly clear that compromise of any kind is not on the books, whether it is talk of primatial or alternative oversight for besieged dioceses and parishes or compromising on a range of sexuality issues. Conservatives, Evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics who are far more civil in the culture wars are hoping and praying that Dr. Williams will do the right thing as the day of decision draws closer.

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