Pastoral Statement from the Bishops of CANA to the Clergy and Congregations of CANA

Bishop Martyn Mimms reaffirms the missionary juridiction status of CANA under the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion)

December 20, 2011

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our coming King.

The bishops of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America ("CANA") have concluded a very successful working Episcopal Retreat in McLean, Virginia. The retreat was led by CANA's Missionary Bishop the Rt. Rev'd Martyn Minns.

The CANA bishops and their wives spent time in worship, Bible study, and prayer as they considered their call to servant leadership in the Church of God. This was the first Episcopal Retreat for Bishop Julian Dobbs and Bishop Felix Orji, who were consecrated at the Bishop Vining Memorial Cathedral in Ikeja, Nigeria on September 25 of this year.

Bishop Martyn Minns reaffirmed that CANA is a missionary jurisdiction and that CANA's core ministry is to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit trusting that it will result in transformed lives and communities across North America. We were birthed in 2005 as a pastoral initiative of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) to provide a means by which Anglicans living in the United States and Canada, who were alienated by the actions and decisions of The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church of Canada, could continue to live out their faith without compromising their core convictions. We are most grateful for our place within that remarkable Province of the Church of Nigeria, and the more than 90 congregations in over 30 states and locations that make up CANA today.

We acknowledged the remarkable and courageous leadership of our Primate, the Most Rev'd Nicholas Okoh, during this challenging season both in the wider Anglican Communion and also in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Church of Nigeria continues to proclaim the gospel and plant new Anglican churches amidst significant tribal and religious tension in many parts of the country. Bishops Dobbs, Fagbamiye, and Orji plan to attend the Church of Nigeria's Annual Bishops' Retreat in January 2012.

CANA is a founding jurisdiction in the Anglican Church in North America ("ACNA"), which unites some 100,000 Anglicans in nearly 1,000 congregations across the United States and Canada. The bishops discussed ways in which the ministry of CANA can and does strengthen the work of the Anglican Church in North America and its Primate, Archbishop Bob Duncan, and look forward to working in partnership with the bishops, clergy, and lay delegates who will gather at the ACNA Provincial Assembly in June 2012.

We also discussed plans for the CANA Council 2012 that will be held at Christ Church Plano, Texas, March 5-6 in conjunction with the annual Anglican1000 Church Planting Summit.

The bishops discussed a recent decision of the General Synod of the Church of Nigeria, making provision for the creation of CANA missionary dioceses in North America. CANA's Chancellor, Scott Ward, Esq., briefed the bishops on progress towards the formal inauguration of the Missionary Diocese of the Trinity which is to be led by Bishop Amos Fagbamiye.

Bishop Derek Jones reported on the rapid growth of the Chaplains Deanery and the significant ministry of military and civilian chaplains. The ministry of the Deanery for the Chaplaincy is to endorse and support chaplains in the US military, federal and local government, hospital and hospice, and other volunteers serving their communities.

The bishops rejoiced in the recent creation of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic where many clergy and congregations continue in their relationship with CANA. While acknowledging that the concept of 'dual citizenship' continues to raise some questions we heard a number of testimonies from those who have embraced this gracious provision and celebrate this opportunity for a direct connection to the Anglican Communion through the Church of Nigeria. We believe that this can only strengthen the ongoing work of ACNA in its determination to demonstrate the transforming love of Jesus Christ throughout North America.

While continuing to serve as Missionary Bishop of CANA, the Rt. Rev'd Martyn Minns has accepted an additional responsibility as the Executive Officer/Deputy Secretary to the GAFCON Primates' Council. This has required the establishment of offices in Nairobi and London. Bishop Minns reminded the other bishops that in addition to strengthening the common life and witness of the GAFCON Provinces, an essential part of his mandate is to facilitate the work of the Primates' Council in validating and authenticating those who wish to remain Anglicans in hostile settings. The remarkable story of ACNA is a wonderful example of the importance of this work.

Reflecting on the Episcopal Retreat, Bishop Minns said, "I am grateful for time together with our bishops and their wives and for all of the faithful clergy and people of CANA. It has been an astonishing journey together and we have seen the grace of God at work in us and through us. There is still much more to be done. All of our bishops are dedicated to serving the people of God under their care and believe that the best days for CANA are yet to come."

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV 1984)