Church of the Word
FORWARD IN FAITH AT ACN COUNCIL

FiF North America represented at the 2nd annual Council meeting of the Anglican Communion Network
April 27, 2005

Senior Vice-President and FIFNA Convocation Dean Fr. Bill Ilgenfritz reports

Forward in Faith, North America was well represented at the second annual Council meeting of the Anglican Communion Network recently concluded in Bedford, Texas. Representatives from the Dioceses of Fort Worth, San Joaquin, and Quincy, together with the Forward in Faith, North America Convocation accounted for twenty five percent of all delegates.

The Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman, Bishop of Quincy and President of Forward in Faith, North America said following the meeting, "It is obvious that the Province for which we have been praying is rapidly emerging, but it is much larger than we would have imagined going from Canada to the Southern Cone. The major difference between what we envisioned years ago and what we are seeing today is that God is clearly doing a work far greater than we either desired or deserve. We are living in a period that is like a war zone, where allies come from places we would never have imagined."

The Rev. Fr. William H. Ilgenfritz, Senior Vice President of Forward in Faith, North America and Dean of the FiF/NA Convocation asked our representatives to respond to the question, "What was most encouraging to you from the meeting?"

"It was refreshing to be a part of a gathering in which FiF/NA members were equal partners and not simply tolerated members," observed Bishop Wantland. Father Dwight Duncan, newly elected representative to the ACN Steering Committee said, "I suppose being with so many people who in the midst of situations of great anxiety and distress, love Christ and His Church and her mission so much that they are willing to risk their lives and futures in service."

From Father Brian Laffler: "I rejoiced in the Network's vision for the 21st Century Church. The thrust of church planting here at home and the sharing of the Gospel imperative overseas was significant. We are headed toward a new and bright future."

Lay representatives from the FiF/NA Convocation, Dr. Michael Howell and Mr. Stephen Smith, had similar reactions as they observed that "The Anglican Communion will attract our loyalty and affection only so long as it remains true to the faith and order of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. This is about preaching and teaching the faith once delivered...what Forward in Faith has been about since its inception."

Lay Canon Cris Fouse said that she is encouraged by the fact that "many participants are moving toward or have arrived at the conclusion that there are irreconcilable differences between ECUSA and orthodoxy." Recognizing that Forward in Faith and the Common Cause Partners will not accept women as priests, Canon Fouse calls for "a real look at the ordination question."

All members of Forward in Faith, North America should be encouraged by our active participation in the Anglican Communion Network. "We competed our meeting with a clear focus and commitment to action," Bishop Robert Duncan said. "We have set the course for the next months, and now the work of fulfilling those plans begins."

Now, more than ever before, there is hope for the future.

Father William H. Ilgenfritz
Senior Vice President, Forward in Faith, North America
FiF/NA Convocation Dean

This article comes from Forward in Faith
http://www.forwardinfaith.com/

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