"And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD."
                                                        1 Kings 8:10-11 ESV

• A Message from Bishop Anderson
• AAC Interview with Bishop Mark Lawrence
• Letter of Inhibition against The Rt. Rev. Edward H. MacBurney
• Brazil: Bishops protest unauthorized visit
• Ohio: Episcopal diocese sues breakaway parishes
• New Mexico: Congregation of Episcopal church in Cloudcroft leaves diocese

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A Message from Bishop Anderson

Dearly Beloved in Christ,

Occasionally, the American Anglican Council (AAC) is asked whether we are "in" or "out" of The Episcopal Church (TEC). Although the AAC's roots and origin were in TEC, it is not and never has been an organic part of TEC. The AAC is a separate, nonprofit organization, with its own membership and bylaws (but no canons!). The AAC is not in a "leave TEC" or a "stay in TEC" situation; we are simply a group of Anglicans both in and out of TEC who are concerned about reformation and renewal, not only for TEC but for the entire Anglican world.

As we cover the Anglican scene, there are times when we want to cry at what is being done, such as the pointless depositions of bishops Schofield and Cox, and now the ruthless inhibition of Bishop MacBurney. There are other times when, although we have tears in our eyes, we are compelled to laugh as well. Such a time comes with the arrival of the April issue of Episcopal Life, the official magazine of TEC. You would think that with TEC's declining numbers, departing parishes, clergy and bishops, and the deposing of any clergy or bishops who do leave, TEC would want to hold onto their remaining flock. In one of the funnier moments this month, we read in the April Episcopal Life, on page 8, a paid ad TO LEAVE THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND GO TO ROME!  When I heard of this, I just had to pick up our office copy and turn to page 8. I thought I was being spoofed, but there it was, a rather large ad, two columns by five and a half inches, not a cheap ad. It says: "The Anglican Use Society in America, in communion with the Holy See of Rome offers to Clergy, Religious and Laity of the Anglican Tradition an information booklet explaining The Pastoral Provision, the canonical instrument that has made possible their reconciliation with the Holy See as units of common identity which preserve their Anglican heritage of liturgy, hymnody and spirituality."

One internet writer posted the following comment which is worthy of reading: "In other words, an official publication of the Episcopal Church includes an advertisement from an official Roman Catholic organization that invites Episcopal congregations to leave the Episcopal Church and become Roman Catholic. As part of the package, the Episcopal priests of those congregations will be ordained as Roman Catholic priests, even if they are married. Those congregations and clergy will also be allowed to 'retain certain liturgical elements proper to the Anglican tradition.' Episcopal Life is running this ad while our Presiding Bishop is deposing Episcopal bishops for their schismatic actions. My friends, you just can't make this stuff up!"

The AAC would have to concur; you just can't make this stuff up! Now from laughter back to tears, the Bishop of Florida, the Rt. Rev. Samuel Howard, formally deposed twenty-two priests from the Diocese of Florida. If our memory serves us, this is the largest mass deposition in TEC ever, surpassing the Northern Virginia massacre by Bishop Peter James Lee in 2007. When the AAC receives a copy of the official deposition letter of a priest or bishop, we frame the letter and hang it on the "AAC WALL OF HONOR – the Order of the Faithful". We want all who visit the AAC to be reminded that standing fast for the orthodox Anglican faith in the United States has a price, and that every one of those deposed by TEC are an important part of the Anglican realignment. To The Rev. David C. Allert, The Rev. Charles S. Bailey, The Rev. Gary R. Blaylock, The Rev. Charles H. Coit, The Rev. Gilbert T. Crosby, The Rev. Mark R. Eldredge, The Rev. Travis Greenman, The Rev. Edwin C. Griswold, The Rev. George W. Hall, Jr., The Rev. Harald K. Haugan, The Rev. Dorothy Head, The Rev. James L. Hobby, The Rev. Sharon S. Hobby, The Rev. W. Hall Hunt, The Rev. Neil G. Lebhar, The Rev. Patrina A. McCarty, The Rev. Lawrence E. O'Connell, The Rev. William Earl Palmer, The Rev. James M. Parker, The Rev. Shawn E. Porter, The Rev. Leonard Eugene Strickland, The Rev. George W. Stockhowe, Jr. - the AAC honors you.

Reverberations from the Virginia Court ruling in favor of the Anglican District of Virginia Churches, and against the national Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, are traveling far and wide. It is the first of three rulings the court will make, the second one being on the constitutionality of the Virginia "Division Statute of 1867" and then the third ruling, if applicable, on the validity of each congregations' vote for separation. Although the specifics of the case apply to Virginia, and we are not aware of other states which have a similar "Division Statute," nevertheless the findings of fact with regard to the decision, the depositions that were taken, and the information gleaned from them, may well find their way into other state court houses across the country. A very significant change in TEC's attitude towards court cases has occurred with the transition from Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold to Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori; previously under Griswold, dioceses dealt with the property issues and the national office of TEC stayed aloof. In contrast, Schori has taken the "new sheriff in town" approach mentioned by Bishop Lee of Virginia, and TEC is now participating (quite vigorously!) in diocesan property litigation. And if a diocese won't sue, TEC just might sue the diocese to force them to sue the churches.

After several years of peace in Ohio, the Diocese of Ohio has come under pressure to sue the breakaway parishes and inhibit the clergy, who long ago went to other Anglican Provinces. Buckling under TEC pressure, the Diocese has commenced litigation against five parishes for their property. If the new TEC tradition holds true, promises or no promises, Ohio will wind up having to pay their own costs for the punitive litigation and Schori will keep her purse closed as she did in Virginia.

The Anglican problems of orthodox faith versus Anglican revisionism which we face in North America are also present in South America. Several years ago, the Anglican Diocese of Recife in Brazil was attacked by the Province and Primate of Brazil, and the wonderful Bishop of Recife, Robinson Cavalcanti, was deposed in a mock proceeding and an attempt was made to take over the diocese.  Fortunately, Recife had properly incorporated themselves under Brazilian law, and the legal corporation couldn't be stolen. The Primate of the Southern Cone, Archbishop Gregory Venables, extended a pastoral welcome and safe harbor to Bishop Cavalcanti and the Diocese of Recife, and over time things have moved more and more into a permanent relationship. Recently, Archbishop Venables traveled to the Diocese of Recife to visit his bishop and congregations. The reaction of the revisionist Province of Brazil and their Archbishop Mauricio Andrade was predictable; they screamed like scalded cats and wrote a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend and Right Honorable Rowan Williams. They assert in their letter, "What at the beginning of those regrettable events of the schism [Recife's refusal to acknowledge the depositions] in Recife was seen as a pastoral care provision for the deposed bishop and those who followed him, has become a formal primatial reception of those deposed.  It has also been transformed into unacceptable acts of primatial nature within the jurisdiction of our province."  The AAC disagrees with Brazil, however, and fully supports Archbishop Venables' actions and care. We applaud his visit as a way of bringing the diocese more fully into both the Southern Cone and into greater recognition in the larger Anglican world. Our blessings to both Cavalcanti and Venables.

Blessings and peace in Jesus Christ,
The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson
President and CEO, American Anglican Council
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AAC Interview with Bishop Mark Lawrence

The following is an excerpt of an interview with the Bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina, Mark Lawrence. Further portions of the interview will be included in the AAC's next edition of Encompass. If you do not currently receive Encompass and would like to get the free mailing, click here. The linked form will allow you to join the AAC as a member and receive Encompass.

American Anglican Council: What was your opinion of the HOB Meeting?

+ Lawrence: Actually, not that much of the 6 days, or however long it was, was taken up with business.  I think that's probably a misunderstanding that many people have about the House of Bishops gathering. Much of the time is spent in small groups listening at small tables to presentations. In fact there was only one morning and a little bit of the afternoon that was actually spent in any parliamentary/legislative/business portion of the meeting. Much of it was what I would call relationship building and at least at this point, presentations in preparation for Lambeth.  
While it was new, it was very similar to experiences at General Convention at the table groups.  Every morning you're at the same table group.  It had a similar feel.

I can't really say it's serious Bible study. There are various reflections on Biblical passages. You don't have any time to go into much depth on anything. So it's basically, I would say, surface level about the scriptures. But you know there is opportunity to talk about substantive things. It's just that somebody has to be the one that wades into the deep water.

AAC: Were you that one? 

+Lawrence: Yeah I did, sure.  Other people did it other times. It's just a matter of who wants to wade in and what happens after that. 

AAC: Was any progress toward reconciliation made at this House of Bishops' meeting?...

To read the rest of the exclusive AAC interview click here.
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Letter of Inhibition against The Rt. Rev. Edward H. MacBurney

Source: Forward in Faith North America

Date: April 8, 2008

It is with deep regret that I must inform you of this action that has been taken against Bishop Edward MacBurney.

Bishop MacBurney's son, Page, died two days after this letter was signed.

We received the letter in the mail today, and I had to read it to Bishop MacBurney over the phone since he had not yet received it.

More to follow.

Bishop Keith L. Ackerman SSC
Bishop of Quincy

Forward in Faith members are urged to hold Bishop Edward MacBurney in their prayers and to pray for the repose of the soul of Page MacBurney.  May he rest in peace.

Read the letter of inhibition by clicking here. (pdf)
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Brazil: Bishops protest unauthorized visit

Source: Episcopal News Service

Date: April 9, 2008

The bishops of the Episcopal Anglican Church of Brazil issued an open statement April 9 expressing their "strong repudiation" of a recent unauthorized visit by Southern Cone Archbishop Gregory Venables to Recife "where he took part in and celebrated at official occasions outside his Province without the knowledge and consent of the Archbishop of the Province of Brazil and this House of Bishops."

The full text of the statement, dated April 3 and released on April 9, can be found by clicking here.
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Ohio: Episcopal diocese sues breakaway parishes

Source: The Plain Dealer

Date: April 9, 2008

By: David Briggs

The Episcopal Diocese of Ohio is suing to regain control of several churches that broke away in protest over the election of a gay bishop and other doctrinal issues that have divided the denomination.

Dissatisfied members of St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Bay Village, the Anglican Church of the Transfiguration in Cleveland, Church of the Holy Spirit in Akron, St. Luke's Anglican Church in Fairlawn and St. Anne in the Fields in Madison can leave the diocese, but they cannot hold on to the land buildings, the church said in the lawsuit filed in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

The diocese wants the court to rule that the church holds the rights to the property...

Read the rest of the article by clicking here.
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New Mexico: Congregation of Episcopal church in Cloudcroft leaves diocese

Source: Las Cruces Sun-News

Date: April 10, 2008

Associated Press - The clergy and congregation of the Episcopal mission Church of Ascension in Cloudcroft have split from the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande and joined the Anglican Province of Uganda.

The diocese said this week its trustees and standing committee were told of the decision last week.

"The prayers of the trustees and the standing committee go with those people of Ascension who feel they must leave the Episcopal Church," the diocese said in a news release. "We are saddened by their decision, but pray the Lord will bless their community with faith, hope and love."

The diocese said conversations between the two sides "were respectful, cordial and acknowledged respective positions."

A number of congregations and churches in the United States have split from the Episcopal Church and joined churches of the Anglican Communion in Africa and Asia after the selection of a gay bishop in 2003 and a woman bishop in 2006.

Last October, Jeffrey N. Steenson resigned as bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. Steenson said in a letter to clergy in the diocese that his conscience was "deeply troubled about where the Episcopal Church is heading..."