Now then, here is something that the Anglican powers-that-be would prefer not to be widely circulated. As it says in the blog title, the Rector and Associate of St Mary’s, Metchosin were inhibited by Archdeacon Bryant-Scott late Friday 15th February.
The inhibitions were due to the two priests’ refusal to cancel the vestry vote on Sunday where the church is to consider joining the Network. They told the Archdeacon that the canons require the meeting and vote to proceed, as it was called by the congregation in accordance with the canons.
The Archdeacon plans to preach Sunday morning and chair both the annual meeting and the special vestry and rule the motion “ultra vires” (which may not be legitimate). Whether it is legitimate or not appears to be moot – you do not change hearts and minds with heavy-handed bullying. Does Archdeacon Bryant-Scott imagine that this will all be resolved by him inhibiting the priests and ruling the motion “ultra vires”?
As bizarre as it sounds, this is absolutely true. Both priests (Sharon and Andrew) have been inhibited and required to stay away from the church building and not discuss this matter with any parishioner at St Mary’s. This gagging order seems to be curiously archaic in the Internet age, and makes the Archdeacon look outrageously heavy-handed whilst somewhat naive at best. I seem to remember that in our beloved Canadian Charter, there is mention of rights to freedom of speech? Unless, it seems, you are under the ‘authority’ of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Folks, this is the true face of what we are dealing with.
UPDATE – this just out from ANiC:
The two priests of St Mary of the Incarnation, in Victoria (Metchosin) were inhibited late Friday afternoon by Diocesan Archdeacon, the Venerable Bruce Bryant-Scott.
The Venerable Sharon Hayton, rector, and the Rev Andrew Hewlett, assistant priest, received notice late Friday afternoon (February 15), that disciplinary action was being commenced against them although no charge was given under the Church’s canons (bylaws).
Prior to receiving the letter, the clergy had been summoned to meet with the Archdeacon, in the Bishop’s absence, and were told to stop any motion called for by parishioners which would affect their future in the Anglican Church of Canada. Parish members are considering accepting the offer of episcopal oversight (pastoral care) from Bishop Donald Harvey, moderator of the Anglican Network in Canada, under the Primatial authority of Archbishop Gregory Venables and the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone. The parish meeting to consider this motion is tomorrow, Sunday, February 17, at 2pm.
“We’ve seen the leadership of the Anglican Church of Canada and this diocese moving in a direction that is very different from classical Christianity,” said Bud Boomer, a long-time member of St Mary’s. “They are diminishing Christ, redefining what it means to be a Christian, and reinterpreting the Bible. Now to see such appalling heavy-handed bullying is incredibly disappointing. I’m afraid this simply confirms our worst fears.”
The letter from the archdeacon, acting on behalf of Bishop James Cowan, said in part, “I am inhibiting you from performing the duties of your office in this diocese… To be explicit, this means that you may not function as an ordained priest, and may not act as… priest of the parish of St. Mary of the Incarnation, Metchosin… you are not to discuss this matter with any parishioner of St. Mary of the Incarnation, Metchosin… Further, I direct that you stay away from the premises of the parish…”
This action follows Wednesday’s decision by St John’s (Shaughnessy) in Vancouver – the largest Anglican congregation in Canada – to accept episcopal oversight from Bishop Harvey. Other Canadian parishes are also voting on this offer today and in the coming weeks.
St Mary’s (Metchosin) is located at 4125 Metchosin Road, Victoria.
The Anglican Network in Canada is committed to remaining faithful to Holy Scripture and established Anglican doctrine and to ensuring that orthodox Canadian Anglicans are able to remain in full communion with their spiritual brothers and sisters around the world.
Comments are now working folks, sorry about that, just some blog weirdness.
It is time that all members of Essentials on Vancouver Island band together and take action with regard to the illegal actions of the Diocese especially given the fact that the Anglican Church in B. C. argued successfully that the Churches belong to the Parishes and not the Diocese in the legal action brought against the Diocese of Cariboo in the sexual abuse case in Lytton. The Diocese of Cariboo no longer exists but the parishes do.
If we do not take concerted action as a group then one of two things will happen either the Bishop and his henchman will pick off one clergy at a time and scare the others off taking a stand for the Gospel or else we will see a number of people leaving the Anglican Church and either going to another denomination or not going to church anymore.
We are now beyond the time of just talking, we must do something together or we will all suffer in peril.
Fr. Brian+
I wish someone would explain to me Why the Primate, Bishops and now the Archdeacons are so afraid that they are threating the Clergy and the congregations ?
I think Bishop Cowan would have handle it better be interesting to know if the congregation walks out on the Archdeacon and leaves him with a enpty Church Tomorrow !!!!!!!
Wendy
If I were on parish council at that parish, I would be working the phones and arranging to have Sunday worship with my rector and assistant at an alternate location. Just saying, that’s what I would do.
I’d love to see some commentary from a lawyer on whether the diocese can legally declare the motion ultra vires. If doing so is given the nod, canonically, it poses some very interesting questions with regard to the Charter.
In the end, I suppose, it’s may just be academic, but I think Peter has raised a very good question, nonetheless.
It would certainly be consistent with Ingham’s argument that the parish has no ‘legal identity’ outside of the diocese, as we saw with the Incredible Vanishing Church™, this week.
Kate,
That is a very good idea
I am from Alberta In case you were wondering
Wendy
Kate:
That’s quitter talk!
For God’s sake stay and do battle.
Vacating the parish building will only serve to embolden the diocesan hit-men.
M
But in what way would you do battle? Prevent the Archdeacon from entering the building? Yes, you could I suppose, but I think leaving Bryant-Scott to preach to an empty building might make the poiint too. Though, I suppose that might give a hit team time to change the locks and confiscate the cuddly toys from the nursery, etc.
Peter,
I thought of that after perhaps the locks got changed today thus the Archdeacon will be locked out !!!!
Wendy
Well, that’s what our parish is doing – but our priest wasn’t inhibited. Each situation is different.
It seems the the Archdeacon-of-Fantasies has no authority of any stripe or ilk, to advance such an action. Better for the incumbent and his assistant to present to church as planned.
What authority has a bishop, who has abandoned the faith once-for-all delivered to the saints? Toss ‘em, I say!
The Diocese is so loony, that this defies description! The repercussions of this action will be wide-sweeping – and deserved (well earned).
Lord, have mercy.
Let’s surround St Mary’s in prayer today at 2pm PST! And if anyone is in the Victoria area – or you know anyone in the Victoria area – I’d encourage people to turn up and pray in the parking lot at 2pm (Peacefully, graciously, but fervently!)
Our God does mighty things when His people pray.
Pray for the wardens and lay leadership, that they would be wise and godly in their actions and decisions.
Pray for the archdeacon and anyone else from the diocese accompanying him, that they would be convicted and their plans frustrated.
Pray for unity of mind and spirit in the membership. May they know the mind of the Father and have the courage to act on it.
Pray for a moving of the Holy Spirit in St Mary’s (Metchosin) today and in the weeks and months ahead. May the light of their beacon grow brighter and brighter, eclipsing the darkness.
Indeed, prayer is certainly what we should be doing, whether near Victoria or not. Remember, our battle is not against flesh and blood….
Looks like the diocese’s action backfired. St Mary’s passed the motion with by a large majority.