A Rift Turns into a
Schism
On Thursday, the Global
Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) announced a plan to reform the
Anglican Communion into the Global Anglican Communion. This development
appeared to be intensified by the nomination of a woman for the role of the
Archbishop of Canterbury. [GAFCON:
Communique: The Future Has Arrived]
However, GAFCON's
rejection of the Instruments
of Communion; namely the Archbishop
of Canterbury, the Lambeth
Conference, the Anglican
Consultative Council (ACC), and the Primates
Meeting, has led to a schism. Some deny that this split aims to
reconstitute the Global Anglican Communion as a majority representation of
about 75% of its previous reach. It is a major development when what is left in
the Anglican Communion is a rump of the original whole.
The core issues that
have brought matters to a head revolve mainly around sexuality, as some GAFCON
provinces ordain women into the diaconate, priesthood, and bishopric. Yet, we
must be careful not to assume that only ‘conservatives’ or those ‘stuck in patriarchy’
are concerned or impacted by the appointment of a female Archbishop of
Canterbury.
Refocusing on the
Word
As an Anglican
communicant, I am encouraged by the warmth and humanity of the congregations I
attend in Manchester and Cape Town. There are wider community issues that many
grapple with; conservatives, progressives, and all believers alike earnestly
contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints. [Bible Gateway: Jude 3
(KJV)]
The focus must remain
on the resurrected Christ, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and adherence to
the inerrant Word of God. My beliefs are shaped by a Pentecostal inclination; I
am equally comfortable anywhere God is glorified and the Word is preached with
purpose, according to the level of revelation given to the preacher. My spirit
and understanding allow me to agree, disagree, or seek further study after
hearing.
While I am saddened
by developments within the Anglican Communion, no one should be surprised that
a new reformation is underway, as the Global
South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) and GAFCON affirm only
one foundation of communion, namely, the Holy Bible, “translated, read,
preached, taught and obeyed in its plain and canonical sense, respectful of the
church’s historic and consensual reading.”
Breaking religion,
affirming faith
In response, the
letter from The Rt
Reverend and Rt Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, the Archbishop of
Canterbury designate, appears to be written from a position of weakness; the
people she hopes to engage with are unlikely to attend the Anglican
Consultative Council in Belfast next year. [Anglican
Ink: Letter from Bishop Sarah Mullally on LLF, GAFCON and abuse]
This news coincides
with King Charles III, the head of the Anglican Church, meeting with Pope Leo, marking
the first occasion in about 500 years that a British monarch has prayed with
the Pope. [BBC News:
King to be first British monarch to pray with Pope in at least 500 years]
How this affects the
King’s role in the Anglican Communion or the new Global Anglican Communion
remains uncertain. Many moving parts are at play as we all try to understand
the issues involved, some of which I have not directly addressed here. I find
myself asking whether I am losing my religion, or if my religion is losing me?
My faith looks up to
Thee, Thou Lamb of Calvary. [Hymnal.net: My faith looks up to Thee]
Blog - England:
We have a new Archbishop of Canterbury, she's a woman
GAFCON:
Communique: Canterbury Appointment Abandons Anglicans
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