"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
(Hebrews 13:8)

• Message from AAC President Canon David Anderson
• Correction on AAC/South Dakota Event Venue
• U.S. Presiding Bishop's Letter to the Primate of Nigeria Ahead of CANA Installation
• Archbishop Akinola Responds to the Presiding Bishop's Letter
• "Windsor Bishops" Write Archbishop Williams, Set Meeting Dates
• Anglican Church of Canada May Stop Short of U.S. Church on Same-sex Blessings

Message from AAC President Canon David Anderson

To the faithful in Christ Jesus,

Grace and Peace.
 
There are weeks when I pass through the Atlanta airport, switching flights but not going home, sometimes just changing suitcases in the parking lot but never leaving the airport premises. It seems that recently this has been the case. Although I live in Atlanta, Ga., I have spent the past two Sundays at St. James Anglican Church, Newport Beach, Calif., helping my former congregation in the transition period after their rector's recent resignation; and somehow, sandwiched in between, I came back to Atlanta for the Ameican Anglican Council (AAC) Board of Trustees meeting, which included a dinner hosted by my dear wife, MaryAnne, at our home. A wife like MaryAnne is a golden treasure, and this June we will celebrate 40 wonderful years of Christian marriage.
 
At the rate that The Episcopal Church (TEC) in the United States is going, it will fill the ecclesiastical chapter of Ripley's Believe it or Not! As you may have read in the news, the state of New Jersey has recently had to deal with a sitting governor, who was married to a lovely woman with a family, announcing that he was “coming out” as a gay man. Now, this mess has naturally spilled over into where else but the Episcopal Church USA, also known as TEC. The divorce proceedings of former Gov. James E. McGreevey, as unseemly as they are, are now eclipsed by news that the Roman Catholic former governor is also now a former Roman Catholic. He was recently received into TEC—but wait, not just received—he has applied and been accepted to the Episcopal Church’s General Theological Seminary in New York for a course of study that would normally lead to ordination. Even some revisionist voices are questioning whether things have gotten a bit out of order here; isn’t there supposed to be a discernment process—a time to examine a calling, meet with a discernment committee, and actually be an Episcopalian for a moment or two before rushing into the ordination process? I suppose that, for General Theological Seminary, if he has the tuition money, sooner is better than later; but this does beg credulity. I can see it now—in just a couple of years, “Bishop McGreevey writes a book about his spiritual journey, From Governor of a State to Governor of a Church.” Each week I wait with some anticipation, wondering what will happen in dear old TEC this week!

It seems that, for some reason, the consecration of the Rt. Rev. Martyn Minns last August in Abuja, Nigeria, raised far fewer protests from TEC than the installation of Bishop Minns planned for this Saturday. The service in northern Virginia will be held in a non-denominational chapel borrowed for the occasion. It will seat more people than any of the northern Virginia Episcopal or Anglican churches. Now you might suppose that if this installation, presided over by Nigerian Archbishop Peter Akinola, were being held in one of the large Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) churches, such as Truro or The Falls Church, which are currently being sued over their property by Episcopal Bishop of Virginia Peter Lee and by TEC Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, it might provoke a fuss. But this is being done on borrowed, non-Episcopal, even non-Anglican property, and yet both Jefferts Schori and Lee are quite excised over it.

Jefferts Schori, in her letter to Akinola that is posted on the Episcopal News Service Web site, excoriates His Grace on breaking with the Council of Nicea’s rulings on jurisdictional boundaries, a tradition that is over 1,600 years old. Since most of her education was in the field of marine invertebrates, it is excusable that she might have missed a point or two. First, speaking of the tradition of the church and the religious faith that birthed it, Jefferts Schori and TEC broke a teaching against homosexual behavior that is at least 4,000 years old, and violated some significant Holy Scripture along the way. Second, what does Nicea really teach us? Laity and clergy need to be under the oversight of godly orthodox bishops, and if the bishop geographically next door is heretical, then orthodox bishops must step in to oversee and officiate. A heretical bishop is no bishop at all! It would therefore follow that the “no bishop at all” then has “no jurisdiction at all,” and any boundary crossing by the orthodox is “no offense at all.” I think Jefferts Schori and Lee know this, and that is what really concerns them.
 
His Grace, the Most Rev. Peter Akinola, has responded to the TEC presiding bishop in a most gracious and unambiguous manner; his message is copied below along with Jefferts Schori’s. Akinola’s letter is also an indication as to why his province is 18.5 million or more and growing, while Jefferts Schori's is 2.3 million or less and shrinking.
 
On a day-by-day basis we receive notes from those who are or have been a part of the fight for Anglican orthodoxy. We recently received a check from a lovely lady who advised us that she had no reliable options for orthodox Anglican churches near her, and, due to her age, she was going to join the nearby Baptist church, which was a Bible-centered and loving place to be. She wants to stay on the mailing list, though, so she can still keep up with what is happening. May God bless her. Another letter was from a couple in a Reformed Episcopal church, with each spouse sending a donation to the AAC work that was begun in Tanzania, and asking their parish benevolence committee to consider support for our work. There are a growing number of congregations from the Anglican Province of America (APA) and the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) that support our work because the AAC is an organization that (1) is not an ecclesial body, and (2) transcends boundaries to work with orthodox Anglicans in many ecclesiastical judicatories. The American Anglican Council carries the battle for Anglican orthodoxy on behalf of all orthodox Anglicans, and especially those in the Americas.

Blessings and peace in Christ Jesus,
 
The Rev. Canon David C. Anderson
President & CEO, American Anglican Council

Correction on AAC/South Dakota Event Venue

Last week's update carried an announcement about a Saturday, May 12, 2007 meeting of the AAC/South Dakota chapter. There has been a change in venue for the meeting due to the large number of RSVPs so far. The new location with driving directions may be viewed here. To RSVP for the Sioux Falls, S.D., event, which will feature Episcopal/Anglican lay leader Sarah Hey in a strategry workshop setting, contact the Rev. Tim Fountain at (605) 275-3741.

Presiding Bishop Urges Nigerian Primate to Reconsider Plans to Install Bishop (of CANA)
Actions would violate ancient customs, display division and disunity, Jefferts Schori says

April 30, 2007

The Most Rev. Peter J. Akinola
Primate of All Nigeria & Bishop of Abuja
Archbishop's Palace
PO Box 212 ADCP
Abuja
NIGERIA

My dear Archbishop Akinola:

I am writing this letter with my prayers for you and for the entire worldwide Anglican Communion from a fellow child of Christ.

I understand from press reports you are planning to come to the United States to install Martyn Minns as a bishop in the Convocation of Anglicans in North America. I strongly urge you not to do so.

First, such action would violate the ancient customs of the church which limits the episcopal activity of a bishop to only the jurisdiction to which the bishop has been entrusted, unless canonical permission has been given. Second, such action would not help the efforts of reconciliation that are taking place in the Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion as a whole. Third, such action would display to the world division and disunity that are not part of the mind of Christ, which we must strive to display to all.

I would carefully ask that you reconsider your plans to come to this country for this purpose. This request stems from the hope and vision of reconciliation which was the mind of the primates as we met in Tanzania.

Your servant in Christ,

Katharine Jefferts Schori

Read the full Episcopal News Service story on this letter

Archbishop Akinola Responds to U.S. Presiding Bishop on CANA Installation

Source: The Church of Nigeria
2nd May, 2007

The Rt. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori,
Episcopal Church Center
815 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017, USA

My dear Presiding Bishop:

My attention has been drawn to your letter of April 30th ostensibly written to me but published on the Episcopal News Service website.

In light of the concerns that you raise it might be helpful to be reminded of the actions and decisions that have led to our current predicament.

At the emergency meeting of the Primates in October 2003 it was made clear that the proposed actions of the Episcopal Church would “tear the fabric of our Communion at its deepest level, and may lead to further division on this and further issues …” Sadly, this proved to be true as many provinces did proceed to declare broken or impaired communion with the Episcopal Church. Since that time the Primates have established task forces, held numerous meetings and issued a variety of statements and communiqués but the brokenness remains, our Provinces are divided, and so the usual protocol and permissions are no longer applicable.

You will also recall from our meeting in Dar es Salaam that there was specific discussion about CANA and recognition – expressed in the Communiqué itself – of the important role that it plays in the context of the present division within your Province. CANA was established as a Convocation of the Church of Nigeria, and therefore a constituent part of the Communion, to provide a safe place for those who wish to remain faithful Anglicans but can no longer do so within The Episcopal Church as it is currently being led. The response for your own House of Bishops to the carefully written and unanimously approved Pastoral Scheme in the Communiqué makes it clear that such pastoral protection is even more necessary.

It is my heartfelt desire – and indeed the expressed hope of all the Primates of the Communion – that The Episcopal Church will reconsider its actions – and make such special measures no longer necessary. This is the only way forward for full restoration into fellowship with the rest of the Communion. Further, I renew the pledge that I made to your predecessor, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, that the Church of Nigeria will be the first to restore communion on the day that your Province abandons its current unbiblical agenda. Until then we have no other choice than to offer our assistance and oversight to our people and all those who will not compromise the “faith once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1:3)

You speak in your letter of centuries old custom regarding diocesan boundaries. You are, of course, aware that the particular historical situation to which you make reference was intended to protect the church from false teaching not to prevent those who hold to the traditional teaching of the church from receiving faithful episcopal care. It was also a time when the Church had yet to face into the challenge of different denominational expressions of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I also find it curious that you are appealing to the ancient customs of the church when it is your own Province’s deliberate rejection of the biblical and historic teaching of the Church that has prompted our current crisis.

You mention the call to reconciliation. As you well know this is a call that I wholeheartedly embrace and indeed was a major theme of our time in Tanzania. You will also remember that one of the key elements of our discussion and the resulting Communiqué was the importance of resolving our current differences without resorting to civil law suits. You agreed to this. Yet it is my understanding that you are still continuing your own punitive legal actions against a number of CANA clergy and congregations. I fail to see how this is consistent with your own claim to be working towards reconciliation.

Once again please know that I look forward to the day when this current crisis is behind us and we can all be reunited around our One Lord and only Saviour Jesus the Christ. Until then be assured of my prayers for you and The Episcopal Church.

In Christ,

Signed

The Most Revd. Peter J Akinola, CON, DD
Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria

"Windsor Bishops" Write Archbishop Williams, Set Meeting Dates

Source: The Living Church
April 30, 2007

Seven bishops have written to the Archbishop of Canterbury, assuring him of their continued “strong support” of the Windsor Report and the process it recommends.

The "Windsor Bishops" have met twice previously at Camp Allen near Houston. The group has scheduled two additional meetings for June 18-19 and Aug. 9-10.

“We want to reassure you that we are committed to the Camp Allen principles and realize that for us, they are the way by which we intend to remain united as we move forward in these challenging days,” the bishops stated in an April 26 letter.

“We also realize that the covenant process is critical to these discussions, and indeed is the focal point of the work now underway to define our life together. For us, neither of these commitments has wavered in light of the recent decisions by the House of Bishops.”

The letter was signed by the following bishops:
• John W. Howe, Central Florida
• James M. Stanton, Dallas
• Jeffrey N. Steenson, Rio Grande
• Edward L. Salmon, Jr., retired, South Carolina
• Don A. Wimberly, Texas
• Gary W. Lillibridge, West Texas
• D. Bruce MacPherson, Western Louisiana

In their letter the bishops refer to themselves as “The Steering Committee of the Windsor Bishops.”

Anglican Church of Canada May Stop Short of U.S. Church on Same-sex Blessings

Source: Church Times
May 4, 2007
By a staff reporter

"Pray with, but don’t bless, gay couples, say Canadians"

THE Canadian House of Bishops has recommended to the rest of the Anglican Church of Canada that it pulls back from the outright blessing of gay couples.

The issue is on the agenda for the Canadian General Synod in June. The House of Bishops had a preparatory discussion when it met last month, a meeting attended by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The House ran out of time to conclude its debate on the blessing of same-sex relationships. As a result, email voting was necessary in order to approve this week’s pastoral statement .

In it, the Bishops acknowledge their divisions. Nevertheless, it says, “we believe it is not only appropriate but a gospel imperative to pray with the whole people of God, no matter their circumstance. . . To refuse to pray with any person or people is to suggest God is not with them.”

From this the Bishops conclude that ministers should not refuse to participate in ceremonies to celebrate a civil partnership. The statement gives two examples:

“When a civilly married gay or lesbian couple seeks our Church’s reception of their civil marriage and asks their parish’s recognition, it may be possible, with their bishop’s knowledge and permission, to celebrate a eucharist with the couple, including appropriate intercessory prayers, but not including a nuptial blessing.

“When a gay or lesbian married or committed couple seeks to hold a reception or celebration in a church for their life in Christ, again, intercessory prayers for their mutual fidelity, the deepening of their discipleship, and for their baptismal ministry may be offered, not including the exchange of vows and/or a nuptial blessing.” The Bishops go on to affirm the ministry of gay and lesbian clergy “as deeply valued and appreciated”.

The statement says that the Bishops’ recommendation is “less than the blessing of same-sex unions or marriage”. The reason is that, “as of today, the doctrine and discipline of our Church does not clearly permit further action”.

The statement goes on: “To those who fear that these pastoral provisions have gone too far, we assert that this discipline is entirely consistent with the doctrine of the Church and with our membership in the Anglican Communion, and fits within the pastoral guidelines of the Windsor report.”

The Bishops hope that no one will be refused baptism or communion as a result of being in a committed homosexual relationship. And they ask for a report on the theology of same-sex relationships, to be produced in time for the 2010 General Synod.