CANA: Episcopal Church Consent to Glasspool Election is Distorting the Gospel Message

HERNDON, Va. (March 18, 2010) – The Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) said the actions of The Episcopal Church on March 17, which effectively cleared the way for the election of the Church’s second non-celibate homosexual bishop, are distorting the Gospel message. Diocese of Los Angeles Bishop-Elect Mary Douglas Glasspool is scheduled to be ordained and consecrated on May 15.

“The leadership of The Episcopal Church continues to demonstrate its disregard for the authority of Scripture. This action does not merely defy those within the wider Anglican Communion, it also contradicts basic Christian theology on marriage and human sexuality by promoting a pattern of life which is contrary to Scripture. Furthermore, the actions of The Episcopal Church are sanctifying sin and distorting the truth of the Gospel,” said CANA Missionary Bishop Martyn Minns.

“The good news of Jesus is about God’s radical inclusion that profoundly transforms every aspect of our being. This is the gospel for which Christians around the world are giving their lives in the face of ongoing persecution,” Minns continued.

“CANA and the Anglican Church in North America will continue to stand firm for the truth of the Word of God and the historic teachings of the church and continue to provide a gracious welcome for all God’s people,” Minns concluded.

The Convocation of Anglicans in North America (http://www.canaconvocation.org/) is an association of orthodox Anglican congregations in North America that is a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, a community of 77 million people. CANA was originally established in 2005 to provide a means by which Anglicans living in the USA who were alienated by the actions and decisions of The Episcopal Church could continue to live out their faith without compromising their core convictions. Created as a missionary initiative of the Church of Nigeria, about a dozen of the congregations are primarily expatriate Nigerians. CANA is a founding member of the Anglican Church in North America, an Anglican province that includes about 700 congregations.