Mixed reaction to Anglican Primates' Meeting

LIBERALS and conservatives have voiced mixed reactions to the Alexandria letter to the church from the 2009 Primates’ Meeting. Pressure groups on the left and right have reacted with dismay to the centrist approach taken by the document, while primates on both sides of the political spectrum have endorsed the document.

On Feb 5 US Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori told a reporter from the Episcopal News Service that she was encouraged by the tone of the communiqué. However, the call for continued “gracious restraint” made by the primates would have to be addressed by the General Convention in July.
Debrief on the primates meeting from last week-

“We are going to have to have honest conversations about who we are as a church and the value we place on our relationships and mission opportunities with other parts of the Communion and how we can be faithful with many spheres of relationship at the same time," she said.

"That is tension-producing and will be anxiety-producing for many, but we are a people that live in hope, not in instant solutions but in faithfulness to God,” the Presiding Bishop added.

Conservative primates gave the agreement high marks. “Archbishop Peter Akinola is pleased, I’m pleased, my brother Henry [Orombi] is pleased” with the outcome of the meeting, Bishop Venables told The Church of England Newspaper on Feb 5.

http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=3856

Analysis: Primates Offer Support, Warnings to Both Sides

From the Living Church

In addition to a six-page communiqué and closing press conference by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the primates of 35 of the Anglican Communion’s 38 autonomous provinces made available a wealth of reports and other written communication at the conclusion of their meeting Feb. 1-5 in Alexandria, Egypt.

As was anticipated in recent weeks, the meeting produced no decisive resolution, but it would be inaccurate to state that the primates have given up trying to bring about reconciliation. The reasoned and well-documented statements they produced provide significant insight into the additional incremental steps toward a global understanding of what constitutes an appropriate level of mutual accountability among an autonomous Communion of churches.

In perhaps the most thorough and impartial communication from the primates in recent years, a report by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Windsor Continuation Group described the increasing number of “fractured relationships” that have occurred since the consecration of the Rev. Canon V. Gene Robinson as Bishop Coadjutor of New Hampshire in 2003.

The final press conference perhaps may be best understood as an attempt by Archbishop Rowan Williams to highlight some of what the majority felt were the most widely shared priorities. The archbishop released two documents: a communiqué titled “Deeper Communion: Gracious Restraint,” and the Windsor Continuation Group’s (WCG) “Report to the Archbishop of Canterbury."

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/2/9/analysis-primates-offer-support-warnings-to-both-sides

Anglican summit to new U.S. church: We'll let you know

From Religious News Service in the Winston Salem paper-

Leaders of the Anglican Communion said Thursday that they, not dissident conservatives, will decide what role a newly formed traditionalist North American church will have in their worldwide fellowship.

Concluding their weeklong meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, the Anglican leaders also said that a new North American church should not "seek to recruit or expand their membership" by attempting to convert others.

Conservatives angered by the liberal drift of the Episcopal Church in the United Sates and the Anglican Church of Canada set up a rival church in December. The Anglican Church in North America, or ACNA, led by Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, aims to be recognized as the official Anglican franchise in North America.

But the 30 or so Anglican primates, or archbishops, meeting this week essentially put a damper on those plans. While acknowledging that "there is no consensus among us how this new (church) is to be regarded," the primates unanimously agreed that "it is not for individual groups to claim the terms on which they will relate to the communion."

The primates also said that "any scheme developed would rely on an undertaking from the present partners to ACNA that they would not seek to recruit and expand their membership by means of proselytization."

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/07/anglican-summit-to-new-us-church-well-let-you-know/

Primates agree: hold the moratoriums while we talk further

From the Church Times (England)

THE PRIMATES have laid down the terms under which the parallel jurisdiction of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) is to be considered by the Anglican Communion. It will be discussed as a matter of urgency in a “professionally mediated conversation” initiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, they say in a communiqué.

The communiqué was issued at the end of the Primates’ Meeting in Alexandria on Thursday. All the Primates were there bar the Moderators of the Churches of North and South India and Pakistan, and the Presiding Bishop of the Philippines. They shared, the communiqué states, “a strong desire to see our Christian World Communion flourish and remain united”, and experienced “a discernible mood of graciousness”.

The ACNA was set up last year as a coalition of conservative Anglicans in reaction to what they portray as the liberalisation of the Episcopal Church in the US. It has been recognised by a handful of conservative Primates, but not by Dr Williams or the Communion as a whole.

The Primates say that they unanimously support the recommendations in paragraph 101 of the Windsor Continuation Group report, which was published two or three hours after the communiqué. This states that there must be no attempt by ACNA to recruit and expand its membership; nor should it expect to negotiate with the rest of the Communion. “It is not for individual groups to claim the terms in which they will relate to the Communion,” says the report. It recommends finding “a provisional holding arrangement”, to be revisited when the Covenant process concludes or when long-term reconciliation in the Communion is achieved.

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=70131

Anglican church leaders to bring in 'relationship counsellors' over sexuality dispute

From the London Telegraph- & BBC

A report backed by the heads of all the Anglican provinces around the world has put forward the innovative proposal as a way to settle the dispute between conservatives, who oppose the ordination of homosexual clergy and the blessing of same-sex unions, and liberals.

The external mediators will try to reconcile differences between the Common Cause Partnership, a group of orthodox Anglicans in America and Canada who want to set up a new province, and the national churches from which they have split.

At the end of a week-long gathering of the leaders of the 38 Anglican provinces in Alexandria, Egypt, known as the Primates Meeting, they said in a joint communique: "We request the Archbishop of Canterbury to initiate a professionally mediated conversation which engages all parties at the earliest opportunity. We commit ourselves to support these processes and to participate as appropriate.

"We earnestly desire reconciliation with these dear sisters and brothers for whom we understand membership of the Anglican Communion is profoundly important.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/4530281/Anglican-church-leaders-to-bring-in-relationship-counsellors-over-sexuality-dispute.html

BBC-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7873379.stm

Anglican Leaders Take Dim View of Rival U.S. Church

Leaders of the Anglican Communion said Thursday (Feb. 5) that they, not dissident conservatives, will decide what role a newly formed traditionalist North American church will have in their worldwide fellowship.

Concluding their weeklong meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, the Anglican leaders also said a new North American church should not "seek to recruit or expand their membership" by attempting to convert others.

Conservatives angered by the liberal drift of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. and the Anglican Church of Canada set up a rival church in December. The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), led by Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh, aims to be recognized as the official Anglican franchise in North America.

But the 30-odd Anglican primates, or archbishops, meeting this week (Feb. 1-5) essentially put a damper on those plans. While acknowledging that "there is no consensus among us how this new (church) is to be regarded," the primates unanimously agreed that "it is not for individual groups to claim the terms on which they will relate to the communion."

The primates also said that "any scheme developed would rely on an undertaking from the present partners to ACNA that they would not seek to recruit and expand their membership by means of proselytization."

http://blog.beliefnet.com/news/2009/02/anglican-leaders-take-dim-view.php

Anglicans seek extended moratorium on gay bishops

From the AP-

Anglican leaders urged their churches Thursday to maintain a 5-year-old moratorium on consecrating another openly gay bishop and developing prayers for same-sex unions, as they try to restore unity in their fractured fellowship.

An Anglican advisory panel also raised deep concerns about a North American province sought by theological conservatives to rival the Episcopal Church.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, the Anglican spiritual leader, will arrange professional mediation for all leaders involved in the North American conflict, leaders said.
"If a way forward is to be found and mutual trust to be re-established, it is imperative that further aggravation and acts which cause offense, misunderstanding or hostility cease," the Anglican leaders said Thursday.

The statements were released as the Anglican archbishops, or primates, ended a five-day private meeting in the Egyptian coastal city of Alexandria.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jon9lS8RDD28zuWf9MaPiBBQGJHQD965LN000

Primates Meeting Communique

The whole report is at the link. This paragraph deals with the"New Province" and I have followed that with note 11 from the Windsor Continuation group.

14. The Windsor Continuation Group Report examines in Section H the question of parallel jurisdictions, particularly as raised by the Common Cause Partnership, a coalition of seven different organisations[10] which have significantly differing relationships with the Anglican Communion.

The Report identifies some of the difficulties in recognising the coalition among the Provinces of the Anglican Communion. Significant concerns were raised in the conversation about the possibility of parallel jurisdictions. There is no consensus among us about how this new entity should be regarded, but we are unanimous in supporting the recommendation in paragraph 101 of the Windsor Continuation Group Report[11]. Therefore, we request the Archbishop of Canterbury to initiate a professionally mediated conversation which engages all parties at the earliest opportunity. We commit ourselves to support these processes and to participate as appropriate. We earnestly desire reconciliation with these dear sisters and brothers for whom we understand membership of the Anglican Communion is profoundly important. We recognise that these processes cannot be rushed, but neither should they be postponed.

Note [11] WCG Report, paragraph 101: The WCG therefore recommends that the Archbishop of Canterbury, in consultation with the Primates, establish at the earliest opportunity a professionally mediated conversation at which all the significant parties could be gathered. The aim would be to find a provisional holding arrangement which will enable dialogue to take place and which will be revisited on the conclusion of the Covenant Process, or the achievement of long term reconciliation in the Communion. Such a conversation would have to proceed on the basis of a number of principles:

There must be an ordered approach to the new proposal within, or part of a natural development of, current rules.

It is not for individual groups to claim the terms on which they will relate to the Communion. The leadership of the Communion needs to stand together, and find an approach to which they are all committed.

Any scheme developed would rely on an undertaking from the present partners to ACNA that they would not seek to recruit and expand their membership by means of proselytisation. WCG believes that the advent of schemes such as the Communion Partners Fellowship and the Episcopal Visitors scheme instituted by the Presiding Bishop in the United States should be sufficient to provide for the care of those alienated within the Episcopal Church from recent developments.
http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/2/5/ACNS4574#_ftn11

More than talk?

From the Guardian in London-

I was alarmed to read somewhere that there would be more updates from Alexandria. Unlike previous Anglican shindigs where there have been an embarassment of riches, this meeting has offered little in the way of hard news.

Why am I here, I wondered, as I stared at the ceiling of my hotel room at the eye-gouging hour of 4am after a day spent dodging security guards, slipping notes under hotel doors like a groupie, lurking in staircases and hurtling towards oblivion in a Lada.

Why are the primates – who normally leak like sieves – so silent? Could it be out of respect for Rowan? Have they learned that loose lips sink ships? Good God. Yesterday the primates came up with a useful course of action – a bundle of initiatives to tackle Robert Mugabe's despotic regime. Cynical Anglican-watchers will say it is a tactic to deflect slow progress in other areas, but not me. Maybe their "unprecedented" statement should have been the top line but it is such an obvious thing to say – how many people don't think Mugabe should be brought to book?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/feb/04/religion-christianity

Primates Begin Work on Final Communiqué

From The Living Church-

The primates completed their third day of business in Alexandria, Egypt, Wednesday, with work beginning on their final communiqué. The meeting is scheduled to close Thursday with an afternoon press conference led by Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams.

So far, the primates have issued public statements on the crises in Zimbabwe and the Sudan and on global warming. Accounts of the closed-door proceedings differ, with some primates reporting a positive environment, while others have spoken of difficulties.

In their Feb. 3 statement, the primates asked that Archbishop Williams, in conjunction with the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa, appoint an envoy “to go to Zimbabwe to exercise a ministry of presence and to show solidarity with the Zimbabwean people.” They also urged President Robert Mugabe to step down, and have called upon the international community to intervene in the Zimbabwe crisis.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/2/4/primates-begin-work-on-final-communiqu

Archbishop of Sudan calls for New Hampshire bishop Gene Robinson to resign

From the London Guardian-

There were renewed calls yesterday for the resignation of the Right Reverend Gene Robinson, the openly gay bishop of New Hampshire, and of the clergy those who consecrated him.

The demand came from the Archbishop of Sudan, the Most Reverend Daniel Deng, who last summer shocked Anglicans by issuing a statement condemning the 2003 decision to consecrate Robinson, a non-celibate gay man, and the US bishops responsible for his appointment.

The position was supported by the Episcopal Church of Sudan, which with has four million followers, 300 primary schools and 24 dioceses. It had previously remained neutral on the issue of homosexuality. The unexpected statement was of special concern for the US Episcopal Church, which enjoys close ties to the African country.

On the penultimate day of a meeting between the world's archbishops and senior bishops to address regional and international concerns, Deng was asked whether he had changed his stance on Robinson and the US Episcopal Church.

He replied: "We are asking that within the primates meeting and the situation on the statement remains the same. We have not deviated. What is needed is for churches in the Anglican world to wrestle with these issues so it comes to an end."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/04/religion-sudan

Anglicans key to interfaith bridge-building efforts in Egypt, Episcopal mission partner says

From Episcopal News Service-

Anglicans in Egypt are vital for bridge-building between Christians and Muslims, says the Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler, an Episcopal Church mission partner who has spent the last five years as priest of a suburban church in Cairo.

"Anglicans in this part of the world have a disproportionate influence, which is a real catalyst for building" friendships and understanding between Christians and Muslims, said Chandler, 44, who explained that after the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001, he sensed a growing divide between East and West.

Chandler saw an opportunity to do creative things at St. John's Church in Maadi, a community he describes as theologically and liturgically broad. Under his leadership since 2003, the church's three priorities have centered on Muslim/Christian relations, community development, and faith and the arts.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81799_104757_ENG_HTM.htm

Primates Press Briefing 4th February 2009

From Anglican News Service -

The Primates Meeting in Alexandria has heard of major concerns about the impact of global warming on the environment.

The meeting held a discussion, led by Archbishop of Aotearoa and New Zealand David Moxon. Also making a major contribution to the discussion was Archbishop Paul Sarkar of Bangladesh, a nation facing devastation if predictions of global warming are realized.

A PDF of the presentation by Archbishop David Moxon is available here.

http://www.aco.org/acns/enclosures/Global%20Warming%20and%20Climate%20Change.pdf

The media conference (Wednesday February 4) also involved Archbishop Daniel Deng from Sudan who spoke of the dire situation in his country.

Podcast of the media conference

http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/2/4/ACNS4571

Primates tackle human sexuality issue

From Religious Intelligence-

Human sexuality was the first order of business at the 2009 Primates’ Meeting at the Helnan Palestine Hotel in Alexandria, Egypt. The primates devoted their first business session to discussions over the effects the disputes over sexual ethics had had on the life and mission of the church.

Following prayers and Bible study, the Primates began work at 11:00 with five presentations from the Primates of Canada, the United States, Uganda, South Africa and Burma. The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams had asked each to address the question “What impact has the current situation had on your Province’s mission priorities?”

This had elicited a “very interesting discussion” the primates’ spokesman Archbishop Philip Aspinall of Australia told reporters, noting there had been a “huge diversity” of responses. However, primates questioned by ReligiousIntelligence.com reported that there appeared to be little shifting of views as the discussions were predominantly restatements of opinion, rather than a conversation. While there had been “much talk” there seemed to have been “little listening,” one primate observed.

http://www.religiousintelligence.co.uk/news/?NewsID=3767

Primates Need Extra Time for Windsor Group Presentation

From the Living Church-

A presentation by the Windsor Continuation Group (WCG) to the primates’ meeting was scheduled for two hours on Tuesday morning, but spilled over into the afternoon.

In December, the WCG met at the Diocese of West Texas’s conference center and prepared a final draft of its report to the primates. The report was given to the primates Tuesday, but placed under a media embargo until the close of the conference. The news blackout extended to the day’s press conference, where the primates’ spokesman, the Most Rev. Philip Aspinall of Australia, would say only that the archbishops discussed the report over two sessions.

Primates contacted by The Living Church declined to discuss the issues raised in the meeting, but all agreed the primates had been candid in sharing their views.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams chartered the WCG in the wake of his Advent letter to the primates in 2007. The group was asked to advise him on the “implementation of the recommendations of the Windsor Report, how best to carry forward the Windsor Process in the life of the Communion, and to consult on the ‘unfinished business’ of the report.” The six-member team offered three presentations to the bishops of the 2008 Lambeth Conference.

The Feb. 3 evening session was devoted to the issue of global warming, breaking the primates’ focus on the splits within the Communion.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/2/3/primates-need-extra-time-for-windsor-group-presentation

Primates' Statement on Zimbabwe

The Primates of the Anglican Communion, meeting in Alexandria, Egypt on 3rd February, 2009, heard first hand reports of the situation in Zimbabwe, and note with horror the appalling difficulties of the people of this nation under the current regime.

We give thanks to God for the faithful witness of the Christians of Zimbabwe during this time of pain and suffering, especially those who are being denied access to their churches. We wish to assure them of our love, support and prayers as they face gross violation of human rights, hunger and loss of life as well as the scourge of a cholera epidemic, all due directly to the deteriorating socio-political and economic situation in Zimbabwe.

It is a matter of grave concern that there is an apparent breakdown of the rule of law within the country, and that the democratic process is being undermined, as shown in the flagrant disregard of the outcome of the democratic elections of March 31st 2008, so that Mr Robert Mugabe illegitimately holds on to power. Even the recent political situation of power sharing, brokered by SADC, may not be long lasting and simply further entrench Mr Mugabe’s regime. There appears to be a total disregard for life, consistently demonstrated by Mr Mugabe through systematic kidnap, torture and the killing of Zimbabwean people. The economy of Zimbabwe has collapsed, as evidenced by the use of foreign currencies in an independent state.

We therefore call upon President Robert Mugabe to respect the outcome of the elections of 2008 and to step down. We call for the implementation of the rule of law and the restoration of democratic processes.

Its all here-

http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/2/3/ACNS4568

Archbishops call for Robert Mugabe to resignNearly 40 Anglican archbishops have called on Robert Mugabe to stand down as President of Zimbabwe. Meeti

From the London Times-

Nearly 40 Anglican archbishops have called on Robert Mugabe to stand down as President of Zimbabwe.

Meeting in Alexandria, Egypt, the 38 Primates said yesterday that they "note with horror the appalling difficulties" of the people of Zimbabwe and in particular the plight of many Christians being refused access to their churches.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who is chairing the meeting, is expected to send an envoy to show solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.

The Primates also declared Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, a day of prayer and solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5656211.ece

Primates See Covenant ‘With Teeth’ As Unrealistic

From the Living Church-

There has been a “pulling back from the language of sanctions and teeth” in the crafting of the Anglican Covenant, the Primate of Australia told reporters at the Primates' Meeting in Alexandria on Feb 2.

The Most Rev. Philip Aspinall said that whereas earlier drafts of the covenant envisioned sanctions for violations, disciplinary mechanisms were not likely to make it into the final draft.

“Hitting people over the head with sticks” was not what the Anglican Communion wanted to do to provinces that violated the Covenant, Archbishop Aspinall said. Instead, the covenant—designed to set the parameters of Anglican life and worship—is evolving into a document about “koinonia…fellowship…of communion” between churches, and would not be a sanctions-based legal code, he explained.

Creating a document whose goal was increased fellowship, but whose ultimate sanction “is not inviting you to a meeting,” was self-defeating the Australian primate observed.

http://www.livingchurch.org/news/news-updates/2009/2/2/primates-see-covenant-with-teeth-as-unrealistic

Anglican primates to discuss "two-tier" communion

From the London Times- (Feb 1)

Archbishops of the Anglican Communion worldwide will tomorrow discuss a proposal that will allow the church to remain united as one body in spite of schismatic differences over the ordination of homosexuals and the blessing of gay marriages.

Archbishops of the 38 provinces worldwide are beginning a week-long meeting in Alexandria, Egypt where they will discuss a proposal to allow Anglican churches to remain "in communion" with other provinces that refuse to sign up to a new "covenant" or unity document.

Discussions to draft the new covenant, which sets out sanctions for provinces that breach accepted Anglican norms on issues such as gay consecrations, are expected to be complete by the summer with the covenant signed up to by provinces and ready for implementation within five years.

The proposal, set out in a document of responses after discussions at the Lambeth Conference last summer on an early draft of the covenant, would enable a split to be avoided with provinces such as Canada, where one diocese, New Westminster, has already authorised same-sex blessings and at least one more wishes to follow suit.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5633728.ece

Archbishop calls for more praying in churches

From the London Times-

The Archbishop of Canterbury has criticised churches that have too many events on their noticeboards. Churches should concentrate less on activities and more on "praying" he said at a service in Egypt, where is chairing the meeting of the Primates of the Anglican Communion.

Dr Rowan Williams, preaching at the dedication of the new St Mark's pro-cathedral in Alexandria, also criticised people who back-stab and undermine each other, interpreted as a reference to the internecine Anglican wars which seem to be drawing to a surprisingly peaceful close in this heartland of the Christian Creed.

Dr Williams told more than 30 Primates of the 38 provinces of the Anglican Communion who are in Alexandria in an attempt to heal the rift over homosexuality that all churches needed to make more room for prayer and place less emphasis on being so "busy".

The Archbishop, speaking appropriately in the city where the monastic movement was founded just a few centuries after the death of Christ, said: "Years ago I lived in a town where there was a very active church indeed. Outside this church was an enormous noticeboard.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article5649818.ece