The death of the Anglican Covenant
The death of the Anglican Covenant
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER BLOG
http://archbishop-cranmer.blogspot.com/2012/02/death-of-anglican-covenant.html
Feb. 19, 2012
It is theologically and politically interesting, if not historically and ecclesially amusing, that as Pope Benedict XVI shores up support for his reforms in the Roman Catholic Church with the appointment of 22 mainly like-minded cardinals, Archbishop Rowan Williams is left floundering on a sea of dissension. The Anglican Covenant was the 'Tory' mechanism by which the Anglican Communion might be held together over differences on the issues of gender and sexuality, with the incorporation/adoption/imposition of a bit of papalism to deal with 'scandalous and ungodly behaviour' - a move quite contrary to Anglican ecclesiology. Yet the Covenant is being trounced in diocese after diocese as the Whiggish hordes defend their historic liberties.
It is perhaps a mark of episcopal ignorance and inadequacy that the Bishops appear to have learned nothing from Anglican history. The parallels with the chaos of 1643 are evident, this being the era of the Cromwellian Commonwealth, the outlawing of the Church of England and the rise of Presbyterianism. The resulting Westminster Confession of Faith was revoked in England at the Restoration in 1660, but its provisions remain in force in Scotland to this day. The lessons are clear: the Anglican Communion is an international partnership of autonomous communities with theological diversity. i.e., not one church; the Archbishop of Canterbury is not a central authority, i.e., not a pope; the Anglican pattern of church governance is synodical, i.e., not papal. And no covenant can make these things so.
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
ARCHBISHOP CRANMER BLOG
http://archbishop-cranmer.blogspot.com/2012/02/death-of-anglican-covenant.html
Feb. 19, 2012
It is theologically and politically interesting, if not historically and ecclesially amusing, that as Pope Benedict XVI shores up support for his reforms in the Roman Catholic Church with the appointment of 22 mainly like-minded cardinals, Archbishop Rowan Williams is left floundering on a sea of dissension. The Anglican Covenant was the 'Tory' mechanism by which the Anglican Communion might be held together over differences on the issues of gender and sexuality, with the incorporation/adoption/imposition of a bit of papalism to deal with 'scandalous and ungodly behaviour' - a move quite contrary to Anglican ecclesiology. Yet the Covenant is being trounced in diocese after diocese as the Whiggish hordes defend their historic liberties.It is perhaps a mark of episcopal ignorance and inadequacy that the Bishops appear to have learned nothing from Anglican history. The parallels with the chaos of 1643 are evident, this being the era of the Cromwellian Commonwealth, the outlawing of the Church of England and the rise of Presbyterianism. The resulting Westminster Confession of Faith was revoked in England at the Restoration in 1660, but its provisions remain in force in Scotland to this day. The lessons are clear: the Anglican Communion is an international partnership of autonomous communities with theological diversity. i.e., not one church; the Archbishop of Canterbury is not a central authority, i.e., not a pope; the Anglican pattern of church governance is synodical, i.e., not papal. And no covenant can make these things so.
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
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