From the ANiC newsletter, read the whole thing here:

….It is also important to notice that the Communiqué “upholds” Archbishops Anis, Orombi, and Ernest in their criticisms of the current state of institutional structures. Archbishop Ernest’s decision to cut off conversation with TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada until there is a genuine demonstration of repentance is shared by others as well. It was not possible to tell from the conversation precisely how many provinces will no longer be willing to participate in Communion meetings that include TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada, but it was many. If TEC and the ACofC are invited to future meetings, the gathering could probably be held in a Volkswagen.

The inclusion of representatives from the Anglican Church in North America was profound, but there was even more. Archbishop Bob Duncan was the celebrant at a conference eucharist. This is, remember, the Anglican Communion. The gathering didn’t just allow representatives of the new province to receive communion, Archbishop Duncan was the celebrant as primates, bishops, and other delegates from 80 percent of the Anglican Communion received communion. This is the heart of what it means to be “in communion.” TEC and the Anglican Church of Canada are clearly continuing the path of estrangement from the vast majority of Anglicans who are biblically-based.

Another personal observation. I have been working with many archbishops of the Anglican Communion for two decades. It is wonderful to see that the same strong and rich graces that make their ministries so inspiring are also evidenced in Archbishop Bob Duncan. Many of the archbishops commented about the gracious way that he is carrying out his ministry. It was readily seen in Singapore.

All this brings me to three things:

1. Whatever moderating influences there might have been desired from TEC, it was not possible for the handful of liberals present in Singapore to stop the strong language of the Communiqué calling for every (orthodox) province to declare full communion with AC-NA.

2. AC-NA will be incorporated in future meetings, presumably as a normal participant.

3. The clarity of GAFCON/FCA addresses a hunger for clarity that is found in many Global South provinces. GAFCON/FCA can only rise in influence. In fact, as the week went on, more and more people were openly discussing the fact that GAFCON/FCA epitomizes the “new Communion structures” that are so obviously needed.

It is evident now that the “gathering power” in the Communion has shifted from institutional mandates into theological agreement. I believe that the influence of the Global South will be directly tied to how closely and deeply they embrace the Jerusalem Declaration. That seems to be well on its way. The Anglican formularies contained in it were quoted in the GS4E Communiqué. It does not take penetrating analysis to see that theological clarity is not optional as we move into the future. It is absolutely essential.

For those in the AC-NA, Singapore marked a tremendous passage. There is such overwhelming acceptance and approval of the launch of the new province that it cannot be ignored and is worthy of being marked. Now, with 80 percent of the Anglican Communion recognizing that salvation is at stake, the institutional structures will either embrace AC-NA (which rose to deal with those very issues) or the Communion structures will demonstrate themselves to be irrelevant. For many people, they already have.

In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Bill Atwood

(Bishop Bill Atwood is a Bishop in the AC-NA and Anglican Church of Kenya Suffragan Bishop for International Affairs)