is here:
Today, the General Synod, the national assembly of the Church of England, meeting in London February 8-12, affirmed the Anglican Church in North America’s desire “to remain within the Anglican family.”
The Most Rev. Robert Duncan, archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, thanked Mrs. Lorna Ashworth of Chichester for bringing the church to the attention of the General Synod. “We are very grateful to Mrs. Ashworth and the scores of other friends in the Synod of the Church of England for all they did to give us this opportunity to tell our story to the mother church of the Anglican Communion. It is very encouraging that the synod recognizes and affirms our desire to remain within the Anglican family.” said Archbishop Duncan.
A private member’s motion, put forward by Mrs. Ashworth, and subsequently amended by the Synod, states that “this synod…recognize and affirm the desire of those who have formed the Anglican Church in North America to remain within the Anglican family.” The motion passed by a resounding 309 – 69 margin (with seven abstentions).
The motion was amended by the Right Reverend Michael Hill, the Bishop of Bristol. His purpose, in his own words, was “(1) to encourage those who are part of the Anglican Church in North America; (2) to commend the process of recognition afforded by the Instruments of the Anglican Communion; and (3) to ask the Archbishop of Canterbury to report progress back to Synod in a year’s time.”
The discussion at Synod presented an important opportunity for members of the Anglican Church in North America, joined by many friends in the United Kingdom, to share the vision and mission of the church with fellow Anglicans. “We are deeply thankful that we were given the opportunity to tell the Synod about our church, and our vision for reaching North America with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. This chance to speak directly to our Anglican family was very rewarding. We look forward to working with the friends we made and reaching out to others in the years ahead,” said Bishop Donald Harvey, who, with Mrs. Cynthia Brust, Dr. Michael Howell, and the Rev. Dr. Tory Baucum, represented the Anglican Church in North America in preparation for the Synod vote.
The Anglican Church in North America, founded in June of 2009 with 703 congregations, today unites 800 Anglican congregations across North America. The church’s mission is to reach North America with the Transforming Love of Jesus Christ.
The ACNA can spin this as an achievement all they want, but once again we have been done in by the entrenched Anglican establishment. The original motion was that “this Synod express the desire that the Church of England be in communion with the Anglican Church in North America”. Make no mistake about it; THIS MOTION WAS DEFEATED. TEC and the ACoC has once again managed to control the agenda of the Canterbury based establishment. The motion as amended by the House of Bishops and passed by General Synod is nothing more than a sop to North American orthodox Anglicans; a bone to keep us quiet for a little while longer. Disgusting!!! How long are we going to continue playing this stupid game?
Sometimes the cup is half full. This is a pretty good outcome under the circumstances. Patience will bring it’s own reward.
You can bet TEC and ACOC aren’t feeling so “affirmed”
Winter [#1],
I agree that it was a shame the original motion did not pass and I share that frustration. Lorna Ashworth did support this amendment – perhaps she felt it was better to get something through than nothing; I’m not so sure.
Inevitably, since the motion was rather woolly it has drawn mixed reactions; see here.
One thing I am reasonably sure about: neither Fred Hiltz nor KJS will be very happy about even the amended motion passing.
The English Church moves very, very, very, very slowly. This is rather fast.
What I want to know is what was the result of the vote on the unamended motion? Did they actually vote on that and defeat it? I don’t see how they could have done that and it still be called an amended motion which was passed. Clarification please from those with more info than I on what actually transpired in that 3 hour debate (as I read elsewhere)…
Like one of my favorite Bishops (who still remains, without explanation, within the confines of the ACoC) says, “RUBBISH”.
What can we expect from the CoE…..
What can we expect from an ArchBishop of Canterbury when he is appointed by Government?
What can we expect from a church that is every bit as apostate as the ACoC?
What can be expected from a crowd south of the 49th that are money mongering controlling apostates (TEC).
What more can be expected from a Church that has learned nothing in the past 500 years except how to shelve items until a “later date”.
I am so glad that Jesus Christ didn’t shelve things until a later date, we would all be in trouble.
The amendment was indeed a dissapointment, but the fact that it passed by such a large margin is at least comforting. It demonstrates that Hiltz and Schori do not have complete and absolute control. Likewise, it does more than leave the door open. It will force someone to say something in about one year. The revisionist strategy. Just keep talking, just keep talking, just keep talking. Wear down the opposition until they just go away. So what do we do now? Simple! The Great Commissions! Just keep building, just keep building, just keep building. In God’s good time ACNA will overtake both ACoC and TEC. (ACNA is already bigger than a dozen Provinces in the WAC.) When that day comes (and I think it will be sooner rather than later) the WAC will no longer be put us off.
The response from the ACoC will demonstrate itself by whether the Primate directs that all actions against orthodox parishes cease immediately. With the arrogance of the apostates within the House of Bishops – I don’t think I have to name those involved as we all know who they are.
The truth is that apostasy will not release its grip without a fight and we all know who is fighting for and with them.