h/t: SF
This, of course, also has the potential to affect Canadian dioceses that might want to sign the covenant in the event that the ACoC does not:
The Archbishop of Canterbury has welcomed an endorsement of the first three sections of the Anglican Covenant by the Diocese of Central Florida’s board and standing committee, but said only provinces can officially adopt the covenant.
On Sept. 17, the diocesan board and standing committee adopted a resolution stating that they “affirm sections one, two and three of the Ridley Cambridge Draft of the Anglican Covenant, as we await the final draft of section four.”
Central Florida also asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to “outline and implement a process by which individual dioceses, and even parishes, could become members of the Anglican Covenant, even in cases where their provincial or diocesan authorities decline to do so.”
In a Sept. 28 letter to the Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, Archbishop Williams called the diocesan bodies’ endorsement a step in the right direction. However, he stated, “as a matter of constitutional fact, the [Anglican Consultative Council] can only offer the covenant for ‘adoption’ to its own constituent bodies (the provinces).”
I spend a considerable amount of time in the Diocese of Central Florida and am quite familiar with it. The Diocese, together with it’s bishop John Howe, are mostly orthodox, fiercly committed to the ABC and the worldwide Anglican Communion but at the same time also committed to staying in TEC. As one of the original “Windsor Bishops” Bishop Howe has managed to straddle the orthodox/TEC chasm based on his belief that “a Diocese” and not ” a Province” is the basic element of the Anglican Communion structure. A similar view has also been espoused in the past by the ABC himself so I presume that it was on this basis that + Howe was confident that the Diocese of Central Florida would be permitted to sign on to the Anglican Covenant even if TEC itself chose not to do so.
This has got to be a crushing blow for +John Howe who apparently was counting on support from Rowan for this initiative. It would appear that Rowan has once again skillfully avoided being trapped into taking a definite position on anything. Don’t be surprised over time to see + John Howe take an early retirement and the Diocese of Central Florida eventually follow Pittsburg, Fort Worth and the others to the ACNA because of this decision.
perhaps it would be better, Winter Traveller, if someone who knows the good Bishop Howe could convince him to lead the Diocese of Central Florida to leaving TEC, especially now since He can see He does not have the ABC on his side.
Gerry #2
I totally agree. I expect that all of the so-called “Windsor Bishops” will be re-evaluating their position given the outcome of the Central Florida initiative.
Jesus Christ given to us (the world) By our Father, His teaching, His Grace, His perfect gift, and His continuing advocation for our unworthy benefit is all the covenant we require. To suggest otherwise is to further diminish His Church.
We have neither the wisdom nor the right to add a single syllable to His last words. It is Finished.
To save our portion of that mighty vine we must renew in complete subjection we must look to God in total humility and not intelectually
and finally if I may – covenant will not create unity. It is, unity that creates covenant.
Please, what is the official status of a Diocese “endorsing” the covenant in the eyes of the Windsor Report, the ABC, the ACC, Lambeth and the Primates? How does that officially differ from a Province “adopting” the covenant? If nothing has been stated definitively yet by the ABC re 1st and 2nd tier status and the mechanism of recognizing “pockets” of “faithful” anglicans in a revisionist Diocese or Province, then are not the above comments (1-3) prematurely negative? Also, re #4: I am attracted by your pure devotion to a biblical/Holy Spirit approach to covenant and unity, yet I believe you underestimate how God uses Ecclesiastical efforts to save/protect/ people. The Covenant plays off THE COVENANT and is a valid and Holy Spirit inspired effort I believe to honour and embrace what Jesus paid for on the cross.
Does anyone here believe that the current ABC will go to his grave having ever stated anything “definitive” regarding the Anglican Communion?