This one’s close to my heart, folks. This just in from the Network Newsletter:
Ottawa – The Rev George Sinclair, despite relinquishing his licence for ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC), has been issued a Notice of Presumption of Abandonment of the Exercise of the Ministry according to ACoC Canon XIX by the Bishop of Ottawa. He joins good company with Dr J I Packer and the rest of the Vancouver-area ANiC clergy who received the same notice earlier from the Diocese of New Westminster. (See below for an explanation of this charge.)
What does it mean?
The Notice of Abandonment of the Exercise of the Ministry, under ACoC General Synod Canon XIX, could be interpreted to say that the priest has abandoned the exercise of ordained ministry and so no longer has the right to exercise spiritual authority as a minister of the Word and Sacrament as conferred in ordination. This interpretation is equivalent to removing the person from the order of clergy so that he/she becomes a “lay” person again; the “priesthood” is taken away from him/her. The Notice does not specify that this only has effect with respect to ministry within the Anglican Church of Canada, and therefore, it could be seen as an attempt to take away the “priesthood” from the person worldwide. As a result, this is a very serious attack on the person who receives the charge. It can mean that he or she cannot be an Anglican priest anymore. Therefore, the concerned clergy are taking this charge very seriously and will provide a full response in due course.
I found out about this yesterday, but was waiting for the Network Newsletter to come out before I commented on it here. Since Fr. George is my pastor, I wanted to cover the story, and asked Scott and Peter not to post on it. Now that push comes to shove, though, I find myself with few words. I didn’t realize before I received the Network newsletter that Cannon XIX is in reality an attempt to defrock a priest. This is, quite simply, an act of vindictiveness and spite, against a man whose only “crime” is to want to be true to Jesus and his ordination vows. Please remember to hold St. Alban’s up in your prayers.
All I can say is may God have mercy on the Bishop’s soul for doing such a thing. He is creating a martyr in George – the very act which strengthens the faith. Prayers for George and all who are standing with him.
Very regretable.
The ACoC is unworthy of a man like George.
I don’t know George Sinclair well, but I have met him and chatted with him. I am convinced that he is a Godly man with great integrity. The bishop is behaving in a despicable fashion.
Well, he’s now licenced under +Don Harvey and the Southern Cone, as St. Alban’s is now part of the Anglican Diocese of the Southern Cone. We are simply still entangled with the ACoC. It remains to be seen if a charitable way forward can be found.
Let’s look at this, though.
The ACC is, by its action, crossing boundaries it says should not be crossed. Their actions are pretty inconsistent with their words.
It would seem to me that it opens up the door for the Southern Cone, if we’re to go on the actions of the ACC. Though, it may not be helpful to launch a full offensive until after Lambeth. We wouldn’t want to undermine the important work that may be done there.
I have seen George only a couple of times, once at the Essentials Conference in Ottawa and again at General Synod Winnipeg. Both times I was strongly struck by the Spirit of God resting on him. He is truly a man of humility and I know that God is holding him and his family through this. Our prayers are with them and we stand in solidarity with them. We are blessed to have them with us!
Speaking of the Diocese of Niagra does anyone know what happened at the schoolhouse services today? Please let us know.
I haven’t heard anything about “pseudo St. George’s in the schoolhouse” but I will let you know when I do.