A Message From Bishop-elect Anderson

Of particular interest this week is the news about the lawsuit in Virginia, where Katherine Jefferts Schori admits that she forced Virginia Bishop Peter Lee to renege on his agreed Protocol with the departing congregations and instead, hit them with law suits.

Schori would rather have a bar or a nightclub in a vacant Episcopal Church than negotiate with a departing Anglican congregation about a fair arrangement for the building's ownership and future. She is afraid that if TEC is forced to compete for the souls of men and women, they will lose badly because they have no life-giving Gospel.  The orthodox Episcopal Churches that do preach the true Gospel are under persecution and are endangered, and if she has her way, she will drive the people and priest out and keep the building.

Although both CANA (Convocation of Anglicans in North America) and AMiA (Anglican Mission in America) have US infrastructure and bishops, Schori seems to be focusing her rage on CANA for the moment. One of the realities of the realignment is that CANA, which is relatively young in its growth spurt, has expanded to 61 congregations and 12,000 baptized members, 10,000 of whom are former Episcopalians. The average Sunday attendance (ASA) is currently estimated at 9,600 which is a high ratio compared with TEC where less than 50% ASA would be expected. When people decide to leave and are mistreated and sued, they have a higher incentive to attend and support their local church. At 9,600 average Sunday attendance, CANA's ASA is higher than 70% of TEC's domestic dioceses.

Meanwhile, the exodus of people and churches from TEC is continuing. And now we have the unfolding drama of orthodox TEC dioceses voting to change their canons and make provision for departure to a safer Province. We anticipate that by year's end at least one diocese will have moved to the Province of the Southern Cone, and then in 2008 more will follow. Although those bishops at the moment have their invitations to Lambeth in their desk drawer, one wonders if, after they transfer to the Southern Cone, Archbishop Williams will want those invitations back. We are advised that Williams was informed of the plan of the Southern Cone before it was launched and did not strenuously object.

The lawsuits in California are heating up for the holidays with the initial filings to be made to the California Supreme Court about now. We do earnestly pray for victories for the faithful on both coasts and that the victory will sweep across the land to bless others as well.

And finally, two letters deserve recognition. When Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori sent her threatening letters to the bishops who are considering non-TEC options, Bishop Duncan of Pittsburgh responded with eloquent simplicity, powerfully and directly with just a few words. Bishop Iker of Fort Worth responded no less eloquently in a single page, every bit as powerful and direct, leaving KJS in no doubt about Bishop Jack's thoughts. Well done, Bishops Duncan and Iker.

Do track the Virginia litigation daily and hold it up in prayer as the court sessions continue on through next week.

Blessings and Peace in Christ Jesus,

The Rev. Canon David C. Anderson
President, The American Anglican Council
Suffragan Bishop-elect CANA
 

The Diocese of San Joaquin also received an invitation from the Southern Cone. The Rt. Rev. Johan-David Schofield, Bishop of the Diocese of San Joaquin wrote a pastoral letter to his diocese regarding the invitation.  The letter will be read in each San Joaquin parish this Sunday, November 18. 

Bishop Schofield's letter and a related press release can be found by clicking here.