An open letter and appeal to the Common Cause Council of Bishops meeting in Pittsburgh
On the occasion of the TEC HoB’s inadequate response to the primates Dar es Salaam Communiqué

Posted by Rev. Peter Dewberry on 09/27/2007

“I follow Akinola, I follow Gomez, I follow Nzimbi, I follow Orombi, I follow Chew, I follow Kolini, etc, etc, etc . . . “ 1 Corinthians 1: 12 (with sincere apologies to the Apostle Paul)

Dear Common Cause Bishops,

Your gathering in Pittsburgh is being watched by those hoping to see some clear direction from you as to the future of the orthodox Anglican cause in North America. The far from adequate response of TEC’s Hob to the Primates’ Communiqué makes it vital that you give to all orthodox Anglicans a clear lead as to when the many orthodox Anglican groupings that dot the North American scene will coalesce into one united, alternative Anglican church in the North America. Your gathering in Pittsburgh is being watched by those hoping to see some clear direction from you as to the future of the orthodox Anglican cause in North America.

The far from adequate response of TEC’s Hob to the Primates’ Communiqué makes it vital that you give to all orthodox Anglicans a clear lead as to when the many orthodox Anglican groupings that dot the North American scene will coalesce into one united, alternative Anglican church in the North America.

I believe that there is a deep concern among many orthodox Anglicans concerning the plethora of Orthodox Anglican alignments taking place in the USA; with such new groupings as CANA, AMiA and others relating to other provinces of the Global South. Besides these new alliances there is the existence of older groupings such as the Reformed Episcopal Church and so many others that are hard to keep track of them all. Anyone who attempts to count those listed on the “Anglicans Online” website, is likely to come away from the attempt, with questions like, “Who are they, where are they?” “What impact have they made, if any at all?” Many of those viewing the current scene in American Anglicanism may be wondering, with I believe some justification whether or not CANA, AMiA and other such realignments, might be destined pass into obscurity as nothing more than additions to the list on a website such as the others found on “Anglicans Online.”

Could these new alignments become just a minor blip in the unfolding history of North American Christianity? Only you, the Common Cause bishops meeting this week will be able to answer that question.

In May of this year, Prof. Philip Jenkins, of Penn State, addressed the Pew Forum’s Conference on religion, politics and public life, held in Key West. Prof. Philip Jenkins is better known as the author of two books on Christianity in the Global South and a recent book on Christianity and Islam in Europe. His address was entitled “Global Schism: Is the Anglican Communion rift the first stage of a wider Christian split?” Read the full transcript of Prof. Jenkins session here: http://pewforum.org/events/?EventID=145.

In a reply to the question, “did he think that the growth of orthodox Anglican groupings would continue to gain momentum?” Prof. Jenkins said, “I don’t see much chance of the different breakaway Anglican denominations achieving any kind of mass following. They could become big presences in small, local areas, maybe in Virginia, for example. But I don’t see them becoming any sort of national presence. Part of the reason for that is they are so disparate . . . I think if there was one ‘alternate Anglican’ church . . . they could do better, but they’re not, so they’ve got all the worst features of sectarianism.” I have a feeling that as these disparate orthodox groupings continue developing in their own ways, that eventually the lines will harden and Prof. Jenkins’ prediction will come true. Please don’t let that happen.

Many are looking to you, the principle players in this unfolding drama for direction, hoping for at least a clear public statement of intent. A statement that these alignments with other Anglican provinces in the Global South, are but temporary arrangements. We want to hear whether or not the ultimate goal is to form a united and viable ‘alternate Anglican’ church. ?I have spoken to numerous disaffected Episcopalians have told me that they would like to leave TEC, they are tired of the controversy, they want to put it behind them and move on. Unfortunately most find the available alternatives discouraging simply because they appear so fragmented. I am aware of others who have simply joined other evangelical denominations and I hear of still others who are looking to the Roman Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox churches.

Unless you, the Common Cause bishops give a clear lead, it is possible that Prof. Jenkins prediction will be realized. If you do intend to unite into one alternative Anglican Church, let those who are watching and praying for you know. Give disaffected Episcopalians a beacon of hope knowing that a really viable refuge is in the making for them.

I submit this with prayers for God’s blessing and wisdom on your deliberations.

Sincerely,
Rev. Peter Dewberry

This article comes from the Global South Anglican
http://www.globalsouthanglican.org/

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