First posted at VirtueOnline:
VOL note:The following is a form letter sent to at least two parishes in the Diocese of New Westminster. You can also read a response to this from the leadership of the orthodox parish of St. John's Shaughnessy.
Dear parishioners of St. Matthew's Abbotsford:
Feast of St. Bartholomew, Apostle
August 25, 2008.
I greet you, in this late summer season, on behalf of Bishop Michael Ingham and your fellow Anglicans of the Diocese of New Westminster.
On August 25, 2008 the leadership of St. Matthew's changed. The priest in charge is now Archdeacon Beverley Stewart. The trustees of the parish are Carole Keighley and Monte Worthington as Bishop's Wardens, Robert Dickson as Treasurer and Archdeacon Stephen Rowe as a trustee.
You will be aware that in May 2008 the former clergy of St. Matthew's renounced the authority of the Bishop and Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster and indeed of the Anglican Church of Canada. We deeply regret their decision. While we wish them well in their future endeavors, we cannot allow clergy not associated with the Anglican Church of Canada to use buildings that are held in trust for the ministry of the Anglican Church of Canada. The Bishop, Synod and Diocesan Council have a legal and fiduciary responsibility to be faithful to this trust. This is not simply an administrative matter. It is a matter of law. It is a matter of both civil and canonical law in compliance with the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of New Westminster Incorporation Act, 1893 (amended) and the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese which govern and regulate our life together as members of the Anglican Church of Canada.
The Bishop and Diocesan Council have made changes to the structure of St. Matthew's because they are legally obligated by Statute under the laws of the Province to do what they have done. This has been prompted by both the failure of the former clergy to leave the buildings of St. Matthew's and the clear indication by the former trustees of St. Matthew's that they support such actions and will not discharge their responsibilities as trustees to cause the buildings to be available for Anglican Church of Canada clergy and parishioners. Naturally we regret that these steps have been forced on us.
An important function of a diocese is to hold together parishes in a common mission even though there are differing theological convictions between parishes and within parishes. Even in the earliest days of the Diocese of New Westminster there were differing theological views between those inclined to a more catholic point of view and those with a more reformed conscience. For some 150 years conflict and controversy have always been a feature of Anglican life in our part of the world. In recent years conflict has arisen over the blessing of same sex unions. The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada in 2007 decided that the blessing of same sex unions is not a matter of core doctrine and is a matter around which people of faith could reasonably disagree. The Diocese of New Westminster requires no parish to offer blessings to
same sex unions, and offers ongoing protection to congregations and clergy who have principled disagreement with diocesan policy. As has been the case for many decades, the instruments of diocesan incorporation, constitution and canon law provide a way for us to be true to our various theological convictions while expressing a shared and common mission in Christ.
The Bishop, with the support of the Diocesan Council, has appointed the transitional team of clergy, wardens and executive officers for your parish to enable Anglicans in Abbotsford who wish to share in the worship, work and mission of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Diocese of New Westminster to participate fully with their fellow Anglicans across Canada. This new leadership team is already taking steps to enable Anglican Church of Canada worship and mission to resume at St. Matthew's after the former clergy (and any who wish to support them) have left the premises. Those steps include availability to meet with the former clergy to discuss an orderly transition. The Chancellor has asked in writing for this transition to occur no later than the middle of September. All memorials and assets of this parish will continue to be cared for by the new parish leadership team. But more importantly you need to know of the commitment to God's mission in the world, to reaching out with the good news of Jesus Christ, and to participating with other Canadian Anglicans in serving the world God loves.
I hope that you will continue with the ministry of the Diocese and the Canadian Anglican Church. We look forward to hearing reports from Bishop Michael Ingham on his recent experience of the Anglican Communion at the Lambeth Conference, and his reflections on the ministry of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams. We rejoice in our shared communion nationally and internationally and invite you to continue in your faithfulness to this mission.
Our vision is that each parish in our diocese will grow in its capacity to reach out to the communities where God has given us responsibility. We are committed to extending that vision in every parish of our diocese and look forward to working with you on this.
Yours in Christ,
The Very Reverend Peter Elliott
Dean and Commissary
*****
Response to Diocese invoking Canon 15 Against St. Matthew's and St. Matthias-St. Luke
http://www.stjohnsvancouver.org/commentary.php
The Diocese of New Westminster (DNW) initiated action against St. Matthew's Abbotsford and St. Matthias‑St. Luke Vancouver on August 26th and is seeking to take over governance of the parishes. We are deeply disappointed by this action as it fails to recognize:
* repeated attempts by the Anglican Network in Canada (ANiC) parishes to seek dialogue before litigation;
* repeated statements from the Primate of Canada that any such action will damage the public witness of the church;
* repeated calls from the Anglican Communion to refrain from such hostile action.
It is a sad irony that the Diocese invoked Canon 15 on the same day that the Archbishop of Canterbury released his Pastoral Letter to all Bishops of the Anglican Communion reflecting on the recent Lambeth conference saying:
"...the chief need of our Communion at the moment was the rebuilding of relationships - the rebuilding of trust in one another - and of confidence in our Anglican identity... How far the intensified sense of belonging together will help mutual restraint in such matters remains to be seen. But it can be said that few of those who attended left without feeling they had in some respects moved and changed."
Sadly, with the actions of the Diocese, it appears that this optimism is unfounded.
We stand with St. Matthew's and St. Matthias‑St. Luke as they will be required to defend themselves; we will ask the DNW to consider alternative dispute resolution mechanisms; we will ensure appropriate measures continue in place to best protect our parish, clergy and staff. We are an imperfect community seeking to grow in faith and joyful repentance, welcoming all people and supporting Christian outreach. We believe Jesus Christ is the saviour of the world and we endeavor to live and proclaim the gospel truth, following our Lord Jesus Christ, consistent with global Anglican teaching and theology.
- St. John's Leadership and Staff
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