Quoted from here. My reading of the following is that the Athabasca is philosophically with Essentials Federation. What do you folks think?
Archbishop assures his diocese’s commitment to Anglican Communion
Solange De Santis
staff writer
May 1, 2008The archbishop of Athabasca has issued a letter confirming his diocese’s commitment to the Canadian church and the Anglican Communion after its synod passed motions supporting churches that have left the Anglican Church of Canada and criticizing bishops who have gone to court over property issues.
The letter was released after the leader of the Anglican Church of Canada asked the archbishop to explain his synod’s motions.
According to one resolution, the synod, meeting in High Prairie, Alta. April 24 to 27, voted to “inform the parishes and the bishops who have joined the Anglican Network in Canada and the Province of the Southern Cone that we are in full communion with them.”
Fifteen churches, including 10 former Anglican Church of Canada parishes, have joined the network, which is opposed to the blessing of same-sex unions, among other issues. Since they have left the Canadian church, they have allied themselves with the Southern Cone, an Anglican province that includes southern South America, and its primate, Archbishop Gregory Venables. None of the 33 congregations in the diocese of Athabasca, which encompasses the northern half of Alberta, are members of the network and none have voted to leave the Canadian church.
A second resolution expressed synod’s “dismay” that bishops “have resorted to secular courts when parishes … have found it necessary to align themselves with the (network) and the … Southern Cone.” In a background information note, the mover and seconder said the issues “should be settled with prayerful negotiation.”
Archbishop John Clarke, the area archbishop and diocesan bishop, did not return calls from the Anglican Journal seeking comment. Archdeacon Paul Feheley, principal secretary to the primate (national archbishop), Fred Hiltz, said in an interview that Archbishop Hiltz “sought clarification” of the synod’s intentions. (Archbishop Hiltz is out of the country and did not speak directly with Archbishop Clarke.)
In an open letter written after the synod ended, Archbishop Clarke wrote that “there seems to be some confusion over certain resolutions passed at our recent synod. I am also aware that there are those who for their own particular motives have attempted to ‘spin’ our decisions in directions very different than we intended.”
The members of the diocese “are committed to being ‘in communion’ with as wide a range of our brothers and sisters in Christ as is possible,” he wrote.
“We are also concerned that the term ‘in communion’ is being increasingly interpreted in a legalist sense. Our understanding of ‘in communion’ is more relational. We recognize that some feel we must be in agreement with each other before we can come to the Lord’s Table together. We believe, however, that it is by coming to the Lord’s Table together that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to find the wisdom, courage, and grace to overcome our differences,” he said.
As members of the Anglican Communion, both the Canadian church and the Southern Cone are already in communion with each other.
“Be assured that the Diocese of Athabasca is as deeply committed as ever to the Anglican Church of Canada and to the Anglican Communion,” wrote Archbishop Clarke.
Layman Ross Whitelaw, of St. Thomas church, Fort McMurray, Alta., who was the mover of both motions, said the diocese “feels we are in communion with those churches that have opted to join the Southern Cone.” Mr. Whitelaw is the diocese’s representative on the national Council of General Synod, the church’s governing body between meetings of General Synod.
Mr. Whitelaw added that the two retired Canadian bishops, Donald Harvey and Malcolm Harding, who resigned from the Canadian church to lead the network churches and join the Southern Cone, are “well-respected” in Athabasca.
Many in the diocese are opposed to same-sex blessings, he said, and “several people feel we should move out of the Anglican Church of Canada.” His church in Fort McMurray, he said, has lost parishioners because the Canadian church has become more liberal on the issue. “They have moved to other churches in town,” he said. The parish’s vestry (annual meeting) earlier this year discussed separation, but there was no motion and no vote, he said.
Although synod passed the motions, there was no sense the diocese wanted to separate. “That was definitely the feeling that came out of synod, that we are in it for the long term, that we need to stay in this struggle for the time being,” he said. Mr. Whitelaw added that Archbishop Clarke has had many meetings with the diocese’s churches and stressed “the importance of staying together through this struggle.”
The synod also resolved that “the current doctrines of the Anglican church regarding the blessing of same-sex unions … be maintained” and in the diocese unless “they are adjusted by the full and proper process” of the Canadian church. The resolution mentions the St. Michael Report, which concluded that the issue is a matter of doctrine but not core doctrine, and the marriage canon (church law) which currently describes marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Archbishop Clarke’s letter, meanwhile, noted that synod was “dismayed” that several dioceses voted to ask their bishops for the right to perform same-sex blessing ceremonies. “As part of our commitment to full participation in the Anglican Church of Canada, we believe that we are bound to adhere to the decisions of General Synod, not only in the letter but also in the spirit. We understand the decision of General Synod 2007 not to endorse the right of dioceses to bless same-gender unions as meaning that it was the mind of General Synod that we should not proceed at this time, especially in light of the overwhelming vote to re-examine the marriage canon.”
I am the writer of four of the resolutions at this year’s synod. I have been overwhelmed and impressed by the response. I am a member of the Essentials Network and a member of Council of General Synod. It is my earnest prayer that these motions will ecourage other “conservative” Anglicans to speak up and tell our church they do not tolerate the direction certain bishops and dioceses seem bent on taking it.
I wrote a letter I sent to the Anglican Journal, “When does the current direction of the church become too much? I must admit that, if I resided in the Diocese of New Westminster, I would either be in one of those parishes that are now within the Province of the Southern Cone, God bless them, or be in another denomination altogether.”
I suppose that I am not the only person in this diocese that feels this way. However, because of the unity expressed at Synod and the stand of our bishop has taken, I haven’t had to make this choice, yet. I might be wise to wear a flack jacket at the next CoGS meeting but, at least that group will realize that I represent a group of Anglicans that agree with me.
Thanks Ross for some insight into the motions.
It seems to be that Primate Fred Hiltz responding through the proper channels, and is allowing the Anglican Journal to do his public relations. I tried to find the “Open letter” on the diocese of Athabasca site but I can’t find it yet.
As much as it loathes me to agree with the Anglican Journal, I think that some of us in ANiC may be over interpreting these actions. After some thought on this over the last day or so I think that we need to limit our interpretation. I think that these motions are purely putting some stakes in the ground.
1) Reaffirming the founding theology of the ACoC,
2) Declare that they are in communion with ANiC
3) Condemn that actions of some bishops and diocese in taking the ANiC parishes to court
Of course they stated these in more political terms. They are not joining ANiC or leaving the ACoC. They are not supporting ANiC though they feel that there is no significant hindrance to being in communion with us.
These stakes in the ground though do give some insight on what actions may be taken in the future as things develop. It provides some important reference points. At St. George’s, years before we voted to come under the Episcopal oversight of ANiC, we also put some stakes in the ground. These were related to our disapproval of the direction that the diocese of Niagara was going, and an affirmation to Biblical Orthodoxy. I see a lot of similarities here.
Hi Kelvin,
I have yet to receive a copy of it. Once I do, it will be posted.
Kelvin [2]
That’s my take on it too.
Sometimes the blog can get caught up in the excitement of the moment.
I never took these motions to mean anything but the three statements listed by Kelvin, but I am still excited because we have people willing to stand up and say that people are being treated wrongly by the Anglican church in Canada and that is something that has not been said outside of ANiC until now. So I continue to be thankful for these people and their motions!
I get a sense that Abp Clarke is more mindful of the acoc at an institutional level than perhaps some in his diocese?
I personally feel that the Diocese of Athabasca sent a very loud and clear message across the ACoC reminding them including the Primate that not everyone in the ACoC is going to bend like a reed in the wind to everything that is done and said. I have a feeling that Bsp. Clarke has had a phone call or two about the resolutions and has protected his Diocese and calmed the furor of some of the bishops in Ruperts Land……..
Like Kelvin says, some stakes have been put in the ground and some boundaries marked.
Time will be the telling factor on these resolutions and on the overall outcome in Athabasca and across the ACoC……
Toes of clay and iron
I too understood that these were stakes in the ground and meant what has been clarified above…but they are the first to be planted firmly in ACoC soil and that is what brings me such joy and hope!
I appaud your fortitude, Ross, and that of your Bishop, clergy and people and will pray for your protection as a member of CoG’s.
I had almost given up hope that anyone would take a stand within the ACoC and Athabska has proved it can be done with courage and conviction, dignity and honour. I pray you will lead us by example.
If I lived in Athabasca, I would feel little need to join ANiC. I second Liz’s last paragraph. That’s why the news excited me. I honestly didn’t think there were any orthodox leaders of conviction left in the ACoC, and I am delighted to be proven wrong!
I am still hopeful, Kate, that there are a number of orthodox leaders in the ACoC and pray this will be the encouragement they needed to stand now and be counted. If the Metropolitan Archbishop of Rupert’s Land will stand… who will stand with him?
Fredericton has already taken a stand. Go to their website and read the motion passed at their Synod prior to General Synod last year. While they do not intend to go back and re-visit things right away, GS 2010 may prove to be the watershed for Fredericton if certain things desired by the revisionists are implemented. Obviously Fredericton could not deal with the ANiC issue of being in communion or out of communion as ANiC wasn’t operational then. So the resolution does not deal with that.
Praise God for Fredericton! I didn’t know this!!
We should be praying for the folks in Fredericton – the St. John river has flooded its banks, and is still rising as far as I know.
Don’t forget the furore caused by the Diocese of The Arctic 3 years ago when it affirmed the Montreal Declaration as the basic condition of employment in the Diocese.
The Diocese will holding it’s synod in Iqaluit at the end of May, there may be further discussion.
That’s true, I had forgotten that. Thanks for the reminder!
–Kate the forgetful…
God bless Athabasca for also being brave enough to bring up the topic of abortion and all the collateral damage to our society it causes. Lots of roll up your sleeves Christian serving to be done towards those in crisis pregnancies.
STAND FIRM!!
ARTIC
FREDERICTON
ATHABASCA
and others.
From a Baptist brother — please know you have my support. I appreciate your stand for righteousness in this fallen world and hold you as dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.
#16 – Amen.
Remember; the whole ANiC identity in the Southern Cone province has been and is always stated as “temporary”. I truly believe ++Greg would love nothing more than to see a re-united Anglican Communion in Canada under Christ. And I suspect Bishops Don and Malcolm would love to retire (again!). But how long temporary has not been defined. (That’s more up to the ACoC.) These workings within different dioceses are encouraging indeed. So far, as we are seeing, the response is to flex “perceived” muscle and send letters etc to the wrong people and leaders. One of our Primate’s (as I write from an ANiC parish) urgings was to “get on with it”. So let’s all pray that the theology of and target of these volleys changes and that “temporary” is defined and realized.
No offense, but I think it is more significant that Athabasca has voted without reference to Essentials. The fact is, any thinking diocese could have passed these same resolutions. According to the canons of the ACC (and the Solemn Declaration) Anglicans in Canada are default in communion with the Southern Cone. Therefore, we are in communion with their priests and bishops whoever and wherever they may be, including in Canada (I say we, but I know ANiC does not see themselves at table with all in the ACC – duh). Yes, the Southern Cone ordinations are unusual as is the cross provincial ministry (although I think we now have a flying Indigenous bishop of sorts in Canada now, hum), but so are the the heretical actions and theologies emerging in the ACC is the last seven years. And the fact is, one activity is more grave than the other, and one puts souls at risk eternally – the other seems to be a catalyst for the true character of diocese and bishops to emerge. Thank goodness there are still leaders like ++Venables, +Harvey, +Harding, and +Clarke.
Our problems go beyond liberal and conservative in the ACC. We have a structural tyranny as well. The fact that it is infected with paganism only makes things worse.
#18 james – thank you!
On the issue of taking a stand, I would like to point you all to in interesting little book entitled “Swallowing Camels”. On Sunday one of my fellow parishioners at St. George’s lent me this short book by H. Perry Quinton. It is a straight shooting clear rendition of some of the key issues affecting the Anglican Church of Canada. I must warn that it is not recommended for the politically correct. The book starts out:
“It has been said that once people stop believing in God they don’t believe in nothing, they believe in anything. That’s certainly very true of this generation which seems to swallow endless amounts of rubbish without a moments thought. Unfortunately it’s also true of the church whose crisis of faith is made worse by those in leadership positions who deny its doctrines while happily taking paycheques from the organizations they solemnly vowed to protect” (p1. “Swallowing Camels”© 2003)
It goes on to discuss a number of problems including political correctness, tolerance, the rejection of absolute truth, and the abandonment of the Bible as the reference for faith. I find his analysis very accurate, though I don’t agree with every point. It reads like a collection of short essays. I plan to order a copy for myself from http://www.kendalhousepublications.ca/Books.html. You may consider ordering one to pass around to your friends.
According to the blurb on the author, Quinton was the rector of an ACoC church in rural Saskatchewan for 10 years, and retired due to illness. The book was published in 2003 and is a quick read.
“You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel!” Mat 23:24 NIV