From the Anglican Journal:
There is “general pessimism” among bishops of the Anglican Church of Canada about the potential for “any clear resolution” of the divisive issue of sexuality at the church’s upcoming General Synod in Halifax this June.
This is one of the many observations recently made by two pastoral visitors from the U.K. who were deputized by the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. They were invited to attend the four-day meeting of the House of Bishops last November in Niagara, Ont., at the request of Archbishop Williams. Archbishop Williams is seeking ways to heal divisions among member provinces of the Anglican Communion.
No matter what decisions may be reached at the 2010 General Synod, however, the gathering is bound to be “a watershed both for the (Anglican Church of Canada) and for its wider relations with the Anglican Communion,” said Bishop Chad Gandiya of Harare, Zimbabwe, and Bishop Colin Bennetts, the retired bishop of Coventry, in their report. “At its worst it could lead to internal anarchy. At its best it could help us all to appreciate and practice a properly Christian style of inclusiveness.”
Bishops Gandiya and Bennetts said that the last General Synod left the issue of same-sex blessings “unclear,” noting that while it did not approve same-sex blessings “nor did it rule against them.” Such uncertainty has resulted in a situation that is “complex, not to say confusing,” they said, with some dioceses independently approving same-sex blessings.
The visitors also noted “a widespread sense of weariness with the whole business of same-sex blessings,” as well as a “palpable desire to get on with the business of mission. One bishop said, ‘We have no heart for any more arguing and certainly have no more energy left; we just wish it would all go away!”
The widespread weariness of the same-sex blessing issue is interesting, considering that the obsession that bishops of the ACoC have with it is self-inflicted.
No need for further criticism this article speaks for itself.
I pray the Father might show mercy, that the Holy Spirit will move them to repentence, That His will be done as it is in Heaven. I also pray that the growing anti-Christ power of the evil one will be recognized and deflected through powerful, loving Faith exercised and utilized in council with the Holy Spirit, that we being co-inherters with His perfect Son might rejoice in victory that is our Lord and Saviour.
The true Church of Jesus Christ (not individual Christian denomination) will never die on earth.
If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind. The revisionists created the problem, and only they can make it go away.
If they are tired now, how will they feel in 10 years when the ACoC will have had to close at least 10% (and perhaps as many as 25%) of its churches. Most Congregations are barely over 100 ASA and have average ages well past the “child bearing” years. It has already been noted that the Diocese of Quebec may even cease to exist.
They seem to think that the answer to the problem is to do more of what caused the problem in the first place. More revision and “inclusiveness”, less of Gospel and Catholicity.
As I understand it, New Westminster is currently considering closing 48% of its Churches within the year.
Do you have a link for that, Gordon?
No, it comes from a conversation about a week ago. The figures were 28 out of 58 Churches under consideration for closure.
I’m pretty sure my Diocese has 72 parishes, and have recently have just closed two of them, both parishes that should have been closed years ago… I would really like to see some facts that we have 58 parishes and that we are considering closing 28 of them…that would be news to me.
The 28 under threat may be news to you, but I believe that figure is accurate nonetheless (it came from a reliable source that I do not propose to name).
I do appear to have understated the number in the diocese (I’ll accept 72), but that only reduces the ratio to 39%
The diocesan website lists 75, four of which are ANiC Parishes.
For the House of Bishops or any individual bishop to wish “it would all go away” is rather hollow. The only way this issue can be resolved is for the Primate and the House of Bishops to appropriately discipline the apostates within their ranks. To date they seem to do nothing but stumble around trying to meld apostasy with orthodoxy which, in itself, is impossible. The agenda of apostasy is clearly shown by the actions taken against orthodox parishes in New Westminster and other areas. So-called bishops like Michael Ingham seem to belief God’s word is subject to their approval and they have opted for the gods of political correctness and social acceptance.
As I’m a member of Diocesan Council, it is even more surprising that 28 are at risk… but I would give you half that number, as there are at least 14 parishes that I know of that are nearing their last legs.
#12 Do you not think it sad that at least 14 parishes created for the Glory of God are on their “last legs”, yet four other parishes in excellent health also created for the Glory of God have undergone such harrasement, simply because they wish to remain faithful to scripture and tradition?