Bishop Peter Lee writes to the Diocese of Virginia
June 29, 2006
Dear Friends:
In a story in today’s Washington Times newspaper (June 29, 2006), reporting on the election by the Nigerian Episcopal Synod of the Rev. Canon Martyn Minns as a bishop of the Church of Nigeria, it is asserted that Truro Church, Fairfax and The Falls Church, Falls Church have informed me that they plan to leave the Diocese.
I have had no such conversation with either church. In fact, I received a call today from the Rev. John Yates, rector of The Falls Church, to apologize for the assertion in the story and to assure me that there is no such plan on the part of The Falls Church. I also received today an e-mail from the Rev. Martyn Minns assuring me that no such decision had been made at Truro.
The election of the Rev. Martyn Minns as a Bishop of the Church of Nigeria with oversight of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America is an affront to the traditional, orthodox understanding of Anglican Provincial Autonomy. Archbishop Akinola acknowledges as much in his letter to Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. How that situation resolves itself remains to be seen. However, the request by Archbishop Akinola that Martyn be allowed to continue as rector of an Episcopal congregation while also serving as a Nigerian Bishop seems to me, at this point, to be impossible. I raised this issue with Martyn when he and I spoke yesterday.
While these and other developments around the Church are troubling, it is clear to me that the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Virginia is focused on the mission and ministry of proclaiming the Gospel message of love and hope to a world desperate for that message.
I ask your prayers for our common life as a Church, especially as we endeavor to live into Christ’s charge to be the hands of reconciliation in the world today.
Faithfully,
Peter James Lee
from thediocese.net
Uh, Bishop Lee, why is it "impossible?" Just say, "Sure, dude, whatever." Seems easy enough.
Posted by Widening Gyre | June 29, 2006 10:17 PM
Remember, Gyre, that Archbishop Akinola has declared that the Anglican Church - Nigeria is not in communion with the Episcopal Church, and therefore with the Diocese of Virginia. How would it be appropriate for a Bishop of one church to serve as rector of a congregation not in communion with the jurisdiction of his episcopate? Under those circumstances, why would Archbishop Akinola even want Bishop-elect Minns to serve in that capacity? After all, Archbishop Akinola has said that he is not in competition with the Episcopal Church, but instead wants to offer a (separate) refuge for those who must leave it. So, even if Bishop Lee did not see this difficulty (and clearly he does) Archbishop Akinola and Bishop-elect Minns should see it, and understand that Minns can no longer serve in a congregation of the Diocese of Virginia of the Episcopal Church.
Archbishop Williams spoke to this: this is simply another instance of a precipitate action that, even if prophetic, must have serious consequences.
Posted by mscottsail | June 30, 2006 12:43 AM
Unless I am missing something, Minns will be becoming bishop after ceasing to be rector of Truro.
Also, it hasn't happened yet. Clearly, though, the elevation of Minns, and the actions of the other parishes are intending to start that separation without coercion that Williams has asked for. So I wonder what Lee will opt for? Negotiation or coercion?
Also, Lee said "The election of the Rev. Martyn Minns as a Bishop of the Church of Nigeria with oversight of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America is an affront to the traditional, orthodox understanding of Anglican Provincial Autonomy." This seems pretty silly after GC just rejected the Windsor Report. "Your affront in response to my affront is an affront!" Particularly after Lee made the mistake last year or so of indicating that the African provinces were not part of the church in his canonical discipline of the priest who left for Uganda (Lee later wrote a letter arguing that is not what he meant, but I also note that he has not used that particular canon since.)
Posted by pendennis88 | June 30, 2006 8:37 AM
Good questions, mscottsail. Sounds like the timing may matter. Will Bishop Lee grant Letters Dimissory? WIll they even be required given the fact that the election appears to have already taken place?
Posted by Widening Gyre | June 30, 2006 9:09 AM
Here is a fine comment from the Church Times.
Posted by RMF | June 30, 2006 9:27 AM
The link is http://churchtimes.co.uk/80256FA1003E05C1/httpPublicPages/C4D66D1C2BAE7F1E8025719C003B5307?opendocument
Posted by RMF | June 30, 2006 9:28 AM
++Cantaur through his spokesman:
"“This is not a welcome development,” said Jonathan Jennings, spokesman for Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, about Wednesday’s election of Canon Martyn Minns of Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax as bishop for the Anglican province of Nigeria.
“It’s neither timely nor constructive,” he said. “It further complicates an already complex situation.”
Posted by RMF | July 1, 2006 9:32 AM