Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Each year in the first week in January I attend a three-day Covenant Group retreat that has been meeting in Florida for quite a few years. Those from freezing climates always look forward to going south to warmer weather, but this year, despite "Global Warming," we froze in the cold temperatures. The climate inside the retreat, however, was warm and supportive, as men who have known each other for a decade or two listen to one another, offer counsel and critique, and pray with one another. I always come home refreshed.
In the last few years, each meeting has seen more of our group cross over in the realignment, leaving the Episcopal Church and affiliating with another Anglican Province. Besides TEC, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Uganda were all present at this year's meeting. Each year we wonder who else will realign before we meet again. That is the state of TEC: those orthodox priests inside TEC are looking for ways to forestall encroachment by revisionist bishops on their parish and ministry; those planning on leaving are looking for ways to do so in an orderly and well-prepared manner; and those who have already left bring witness to amazing joy and energy, even when they are being sued by TEC.
Of the many events covered in this weeks' Update, I would like to touch on a few. Regarding our orthodox brothers and sisters in Canada, specifically in the diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador, the Anglican Church of Canada's diocesan Cyrus Pitman is demanding that all the clergy come to his office on a certain date, kiss his ring, and swear fealty to him and his domain. He is concerned that some of his clergy might have divided loyalty to the former diocesan, Bishop Harvey, who is now affiliated with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, so Pitman is demanding that all clergy present themselves. This sounds like an Old Testament Cyrus. Usually when a new rector or bishop assumes pastoral oversight, he is interested in winning the hearts of those he is called to care for. It was once said that the people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. This is one seriously strange way for Cyrus to demonstrate his love and care, and to win their hearts. Pray for his clergy who are thus summoned.
One of the difficulties that the American Anglican Council has had in communicating the outrages and atrocities of the US Episcopal Church leadership to the larger world is that it goes beyond belief. Bishops are not accustomed to other bishops lying to them, or saying one thing and then promptly doing the opposite. They can't believe it is possible until it happens, but gradually the number of international bishops who have tasted the duplicity of the TEC leadership has increased, and our reporting becomes more believable to the international world.
Despite all of the nuance of words that TEC uses to describe what it isn't doing, in order to reassure those few orthodox internationally who still believe them, sometimes things are accidentally stated clearly and everyone beholds the plain truth. An article written by Terry Mattingly (an orthodox Christian writer) on Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston, in the uber-liberal diocese of Massachusetts, exposes what they are really saying and doing. Despite what Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori or Los Angeles Bishop J. Jon Bruno say, there are approved liturgies for blessings of same-sex unions - approved by dioceses and fully implemented. The historic Trinity Church offers clear guidance to those desiring a Blessing of Holy Union liturgy. They note, according to Mattingly, that the services are based on "A Rite for the Celebration of Commitment to a Life Together" which is used in their diocese, Massachusetts.
In watching the situation in Virginia, we understand that the judge has advised those in litigation that the case might stop for a season and then resume, carrying over into 2009. This might allow the orthodox faithful a breather to raise additional money for their defense, but in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the national Episcopal Church this news can't be cause for rejoicing as the money dries up. Anglican Columnist David Virtue covers the story of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia deciding to take out a two million dollar line of credit to maintain their liquidity, while they spend millions of dollars on the "full employment for attorneys" diocesan solution.
Diocesan bishop Peter Lee was very close to inking an agreement that would have been a possible win-win for both sides when Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori told him to forget about it. So now the Virginia diocese is looking at not only lines of credit, but selling "real properties" to raise cash. Will they spin off their beloved diocesan camp, Shrine Mont, for money to sue and litigate?
In contrast, among those who have left TEC, there seems to be a good deal of joy and excitement about ministry. Where you might expect anger and depression I find - and I experience myself - quite the opposite: a peace and a joy that is just from God.
The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr.
President & CEO
American Anglican Council
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