Losing my religion in this reformation split

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

GSFA Statement on the Appointment of the Rt Revd Dame Sarah Mullally, Bishop of London, as the Archbishop of Canterbury

GAFCON: Communique: Canterbury Appointment Abandons Anglicans

Satan's hand in human stupidity as church splits

More Henry than Luther

If I were to compare and contrast the events that have engulfed the Anglican Church worldwide with other seminal changes and schisms in history, I see more of King Henry VIII [Source - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia] than I see of Martin Luther [Source - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia].

The common thread between them is I find people who have become so cantankerous in seeking their particular brand of fiery bigotry that insulates the church from those who need it allegorically aligned to Henry VIII’s desire for a divorce on not siring a heir – for which he usurped church authority from Rome to achieve his own ends.

Indulgences are what align these people with Martin Luther; in short, we have been indulgent of people whose goal is to pretend to doctrinal differences in order to break up the church.

Breaking away

After the congregation for the schism completed their sojourn in Jerusalem, unwelcome as they were by the Bishop of Jerusalem, they launched a new faith movement called the Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (FOCA) [Source - Conservative Anglicans form global network | World news | guardian.co.uk], I could suppose this is an exclusive club for the indoctrinate with no allowance for those who have not become holier than thou.

The works of Satan

However, what I find so utterly annoying is the tendency to attribute sloppiness, lack of planning and out right arrogance to the work of Satan.

Bishop Akinola was refused entry into Jordan from Israel a fortnight ago for visa irregularities and he claims that was satanic [Source - Lambeth Conference not for us – Akinola – Nigerian Tribune].

Looking at the requirements for entry between Israel and Jordan [Source - Jordan from Israel], there is free movement after a number of conditions are satisfied one of which requires the visitor have a visa to enter both countries have them appropriately stamped from the country of departure regardless of whether to have a diplomatic passport or not.

Sloppy and disingenuous

Bishop Akinola [Source - Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia] or his handlers failed to make those simple arrangements and ensure that he would have free passage for his itinerary.

I would suppose the Bishop might have tried to drop names or pull rank, but that is what the Nigerian Embassy should be sorting out if anyone knew what they were doing.

To attribute such sloppiness and lack of effective preparedness to Satanism is just completely out of order and disingenuous to say the least.

Somehow, they save their scruples by quickly switching their coven to Jerusalem where having decided to split from the church they have now decided they would not be attending the Lambeth Conference [Source - The Lambeth Conference Official Web site].

I doubt if they would be missed and it might well turn out a more spiritual meeting helping the church to become more relevant to its community.

But, if homosexuality has so much a strength and potency to split the church, I present both sides of this schism a different dilemma.

Wherefore the Beatie family?

Mr. Beatie was born a female, underwent treatment to legally become a man but retained his female reproductive system. He conceived through artificial insemination and so recently gave birth to a healthy baby girl [Source - Transgender "man" gives birth - Yahoo! News].

Who of the clergy in the finery of their robes and the erudition of their theological schooling would find the Christianly compassion to blessing the child at her christening, baptised her when she comes of age and confirm her when she is knowledgeable about Christianity?

Would Mr. Beatie, his wife, Nancy and the beautiful baby girl be welcome to worship in your church?

Expecting high drama on the Mount of Olives

Gay in Jerusalem

The pre-occupation of the Anglican Church with all things homosexual be it clergy or marriage is beginning to entertain rather than infuriate. It is gay (in the non-perjorative sense in Jerusalem.)

Lately, a swarm of holier-than-thou bishops going with the acronym of GAFCON [Source - Wikipedia] (Global Anglican Future Conference) met in Jerusalem as part of their plan to break up the Anglican Communion in the quest to keep the church too holy to minister to people who probably need the church the most.

The animosity to gay representation in the church is such that many might just be more repulsed by the inability of the church to minister to the laity than the laity’s possible innate prejudice against homosexuality.

Farce in Jordan

Lead by the Archbishop Peter Akinola [Source - Wikipedia] of Nigeria, it is almost laughable [Source – Telegraph.co.uk] that the bishops had planned to meet in Jordan until the bishop was refused entry for visa problems that they had to decamp to Jerusalem.

Apparently, the Anglican Bishop of Jerusalem is an unwillingly and reluctant host of this cabal of Christian gentlemen, much as the bishops believe that the crisis in the church really does require that they be in Jerusalem [Source - Global Anglican Future - Holy Land 2008] – the Holy Land. It is quite instructive that a minister of God in a land of great turmoil does not believe the church should split over these matters - reconciliation is a life he strives to live as the holy bishops seek cause for schism.

Gates of gays prevailing

In any case, the fully robed bishops shall troop up the Mount of Olives [Source - Wikipedia] today and command views of the old city of Jerusalem as they might well be tempted of the opportunity to hijack the leadership of the church surreptitiously through their doctrinally dogmatic stance.

The gates of homosexuality might proverbially be prevailing on the persons of the church that they are excited about splitting it up so as to highlight the differences of opinion and doctinal interpretation.

Meanwhile, the flock suffers as they are pulled asunder but good and bad shepherds leaving all vulnerable to wolves – it makes you wonder who really needs the Anglican Church anymore – as the world and society changes the church and its message are left behind and the people lost in space.

The only thing that would assuage my thirst for more high drama from the bishops would be a mass defrocking on the mount, then we would all really understand what the fuss is all about.