Reflections on Archbishop Williams’ letter to Bishop John Howe

http://www.anglican-mainstream.net/index.php/2007/10/24/reflections-on-archbishop-williams-letter-to-bishop-john-howe/

[Anglican Mainstream] 25 Oct 2007--AM website comment:

The Archbishop of Canterbury’s letter indicates that he wishes to affirm that “any Diocese compliant with Windsor remains clearly in communion with Canterbury and the mainstream of the Communion, whatever may be the longer-term result for others in The Episcopal Church. The organ of union with the wider Church is the Bishop and the Diocese rather than the Provincial structure as such. Those who are rushing into separatist solutions are, I think, weakening that basic conviction of Catholic theology and in a sense treating the provincial structure of The Episcopal Church as if it were the most important thing - which is why I continue to hope and pray for the strengthening of the bonds of mutual support among those Episcopal Church Bishops who want to be clearly loyal to Windsor.”

This statement can be affirmed in that it takes seriously the issue of the confessional basis of the Anglican Communion, for “compliant with Windsor” is clearly held to trump “in accord with our polity”. The statement moves the issue of polity to a higher level. The polity of primates and provinces is relegated, but “communion with Canterbury” is elevated. What are we to make of communion with Canterbury?