Monday, October 22, 2007

A Statement Regarding Upholding the Ministry of Faithful Bishops

http://anglicancommunioninstitute.com/content/view/119/1/

[Anglican Communion Institute] 23 Oct 2007--Many Anglicans were convinced that September 30th, 2007, would bring clarity to the ongoing struggle within the Anglican Communion over the church's coherent witness. By this day, it was hoped, there would be a clear decision as to the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops commitment to abide by the common teaching and discipline of the Communion; by this date "realignment" according to the definitions of this teaching and discipline would proceed with general and orderly consent. Obviously, this has not happened. But a new push to re-order the lines of jurisdiction within American Anglicanism has occurred nonetheless, one that has necessarily proceeded without common consent or order. Oddly enough, it is happening - as it has in the past - with a special intensity and passion within dioceses led by bishops who have long opposed the innovations of TEC's leadership and General Convention and remained faithful to the teaching and discipline of the Communion. The current work of breaking up traditional dioceses, whose bishops are still recognized as faithful leaders by the Communion's Instruments of Unity, including by her Primates, has been going on at least since 2000. Its pace, however, has recently accelerated in some places, like the Diocese of Central Florida and the Southwestern part of the church. What shall we say about this trend?

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