From the American Anglican Council:
Dearly Beloved in Christ,
My article last week about the Daughters of the King (DOK) and the new Daughters of the Holy Cross prompted a letter from a DOK officer, who had additional information that I hadn't seen. In the interest of accuracy, and an even more interesting picture of unfolding events, I wish to quote sections of her letter. She wrote in part, "While it is true that Bp. [Jefferts] Schori tried to imply in a letter to one of the Daughters that she would not accept Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Lutherans, in the Order she does not have that authority. The Order is not an official part of the Episcopal Church, but only affiliated with it."
My correspondent then suggests that some may "have misunderstood the decisions made by the Order of the Daughters of the King at their Triennial meeting in July" and goes on to note, "At the last Triennial, 2006, 86% of the delegates voted to strictly adhere to the bylaws and seat as delegates those from the Anglican, RC and Lutheran chapters. At this Triennial a new set of bylaws was proposed stating this clearly. A small but vocal group of the "Episcopal Community" (the name taken by those who wish the Order to be restricted to TEC only and who had more representatives than before because we were meeting in the liberal bastion of the Diocese of Los Angeles) substituted a membership bylaw which would exclude non-TEC members. That was not able to garner the 2/3 vote. A subsequent vote on the initial bylaw failed also (but had more votes). So we were back where we started. A vote was taken to reseat the 17 delegates who had been unseated during the membership bylaw process. This passed by a good majority and we are once again voting members in good standing." She also notes that "... the National Membership Chair...makes all the decisions about chapters qualifying for membership (must be in Churches of the Historic Episcopate)."
It would seem from that, if Daughters of the King outside of TEC wish to stay, there is provision for them to do so, even against the wishes of a Presiding Bishop. In further clarification she says, "Of the 15 members of the newly elected National Council, 14 responded "yes" to the question of whether the Anglican, Lutheran and Catholics and others of the Historic Episcopate should be included as full voting members. This election was a major step forward for the inclusion of all Daughters in the Order and we are rejoicing. The new Anglican Order, Daughters of the Holy Cross,was set up for Daughters who are in Dioceses where they can no longer continue together. In some cases the lawsuits preclude any further affiliation with Episcopalians."
So, in conclusion, I am happy to see that reasonableness, faith, and prayer have prevailed, and that, depending on circumstances, faithful Anglican women have one or even two orders in which to live out holy vows.
In another area with a less favorable outcome, we are advised of the recent reply of Archbishop Rowan Williams to a letter from the Bishop of Central Florida, the Rt. Rev. John W. Howe. Bishop Howe and the other Communion Partner (CP) Bishops have made every effort to try and work with Rowan Williams, respect his authority, and seek his participation in resolving the "TEC problem," and the development of the Covenant. Within the bounds of their own conscience and faith, and within the bounds of staying inside TEC, they have turned over every stone I can think of. Although at times the Communion Partner Bishops and congregations have had, and perhaps do have, a different strategy for full restoration of North American Anglican orthodoxy than the American Anglican Council, nevertheless I really believe that the Communion Partner Bishops deserve Rowan Williams' support. From the news reports, it appears that Dr. Williams is not willing to take action to shield their significant risk, or provide any security, and I am sorry to hear this.
On another note, the tide of litigation seems to ebb and flow. After a series of adverse rulings, the orthodox are seeing some favorable rulings in Virginia, South Carolina and Texas. It might actually be in the best interests of the CP Dioceses if they helped the ACNA churches and dioceses in the litigation process, since these rulings will either help or hurt them in the future if they should be forced to do the (at present) unthinkable, and depart.
It is important for all of the orthodox Anglicans to remember that we are all in this together, with conflicting strategies at times, but still of one faith. Though a fence seems to divide us in some areas, the fence is falling down here and there, and I believe that a day will come when the orthodox Anglicans in North America will find unity.
Blessings and Peace in Jesus Christ,
The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr.
President and CEO, American Anglican Council
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