Friday, May 22, 2009

Bishops say rival group can’t represent churches


The Canadian house of bishops, at the end of its five-day spring meeting, issued a “Message to the Church,” reflecting on a range of topics including mission, the effects of the current economic crisis in their communities, residential schools, and, in the lead up to the 2010 General Synod, same-sex blessings.

The bishops also stated “with regret” that clergy and laity who are members of the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) “should not be given permission to exercise a leadership role in the Cursillo movement of the Anglican Church of Canada.” (The ANiC includes clergy and laity who have left the Canadian Anglican church because of theological differences over sexuality and other issues.)

The bishops said they were responding to a “call for clarification” from the national Cursillo secretariat. “It was noted that diocesan bishops have the authority to decide who may serve on Cursillo teams,” they said.

The Archbishop of Canterbury “has stated in writing that his office and the Anglican Communion Office recognize one ecclesial body in Canada as a constitutive member of the communion, the Anglican Church of Canada,” they added. “We affirm this statement. We cherish our communion with the See of Canterbury and remain committed to the life and witness of the Anglican Communion in the service of the Gospel.”

The Rest

http://www.anglicanjournal.com/issues/2009/135/june/06/article/bishops-say-rival-group-cant-represent-churches/?cHash=272e522707

No comments: