Archbishop Mouneer Anis resigns from the SCAC
Jan 31st, 2010 by David
From SF. The complete letter of resignation is here and is well worth reading.
After much prayer and consideration, I hereby submit my resignation from the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion (SCAC). I have come to realize that my presence in the current SCAC has no value whatsoever and my voice is like a useless cry in the wilderness. Having said that, I must say that since I joined the committee in 2007 I have learnt quite a lot and made friends who may disagree with me whom I appreciate very much and I will miss.
…I have come to the sad realization that there is no desire within the ACC and the SCAC to follow through on the recommendations that have been taken by the other Instruments of Communion to sort out the problems which face the Anglican Communion and which are tearing its fabric apart. Moreover, the SCAC, formerly known as the join Standing Committee (JSC), has continually questioned the authority of the other Instruments of Communion, especially the Primates Meeting and the Lambeth Conference.
…
Some may say that the provinces within the Anglican Communion are autonomous, and each province is free to make its own resolutions. While I agree and accept the autonomous nature of each province, I believe that the participation in the decision making process that affects the life of the Anglican Communion should be for those who show respect in word and deed to the whole Communion - not those who turn their backs to every appeal and warning.Many sing praises of “inclusiveness” while at the same time the exclude others. I am deeply disturbed in my conscience when I see a kind of double-standard in dealing with different issues. While emphasizing the importance of caring for for the marginalized in our communities, like the LGBT community, the orthodox Anglicans are being marginalized. I understand that in a family, the concern of every member is cared for; but this is not the reality in our meetings where the orthodox voices are disregarded or suppressed.
It has been my experience in contact with some members and the LGBT in general that they are less interested in being cared for in the context of Christian love and far more interested in being recognized and legitimized. As far as the Archbishop is concerned, when such a voice is not heard it is time to move were there are ears to hear. This is sad, but sadder still is the diminishing voices of reason. O God our Father have mercy on those who are not listening and yet love you still. Send your Holy Spirit that the Anglican Synod in June may see your truth and begin to turn around.
One should not underestimate the impact that this news will have on the worldwide Anglican Communion.
As one who has steadfastly stood in support of a “Canterbury-based” Communion and Arcbishop Rowan, in spite of their differences, Bishop Anis’ resignation from the SCAC represents to me a reluctant acknowledgement that the Instruments of Communion as presently structured no longer function, a public repudiation of Archbishop Rowan’s ability to lead the Communion out of it’s present difficulties and a belated reconition that the future leaderdship and the eventual healing of the Communion will be found in the Global South and not in Canterbury.
Pray for this godly man, as he faces persecution daily in Egypt for the sake of the Gospel.
Matthew 10:13-15
Mark 6:10-12
Luke 9:4-6
Luke 10:10-12
Acts 13:50-52
May God have mercy on the ACoC (but these passages leave me thinking that mercy might not happen for the ACoC).
From what I can tell this Standing Committee has assumed powers and authority that were not granted to it by the existing Instruments of Communion. Serious questions could be asked as to whether this body is legitimate in the role that it purports for itself.
AMP #3
I can see how you might feel that there was pre-judgement happening in your quoted passages. However it is my opinion that those instructions were given to those who as yet carried the Kingdom of Heaven with them in that God’s grace was ever present. The following fits better in our time were God’s grace is ever available but not ever present.
2 Timothy 2:25-26 (King James Version)
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
The word of the Lord….Amen?
So, here we have another Man of God leaving instruments that no longer carry God’s Blessings. As the early Christians were told to “shake the dust from their sandals and move on”, obviously ArchBishop Mouneer Anis is doing the same thing in this troubled time.
Just as Archbishops Yong Ping Chung and Robert Duncan and Bishops Donald Harvey and Malcolm Harding have moved on to doing God’s Work under God’s covering, so does ArchBishop Mouneer Anis. We must continue to hold up this Man of God in Prayer as God’s Army continues to build and advance upon the apostate churches and peoples of this world.