The Lead

The Global South primates of the Anglican Church, posted a pastoral letter to their respective provinces in reaction to the recent Vatican overture. In short; they reject it believing that the proposed Covenant is a better avenue to pursue.

The post, called "A Pastoral Exhortation to the Faithful in the Anglican Communion" says, in part:

3. We welcome Pope Benedict XVI’s stance on the common biblical teaching on human sexuality, and the commitment to continuing ecumenical dialogue.
4. At the same time we believe that the proposed Anglican Covenant sets the necessary parameters in safeguarding the catholic and apostolic faith and order of the Communion. It gives Anglican churches worldwide a clear and principled way forward in pursuing God’s divine purposes together in the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Jesus Christ. We urge churches in the Communion to actively work together towards a speedy adoption of the Covenant.

5. In God’s gracious purposes the Anglican Communion has moved beyond the historical beginnings and expressions of English Christianity into a worldwide Communion, of which the Church of England is a constitutive part. In view of the global nature of the Communion, matters of faith and order would inevitably have serious ramifications for the continuing well-being and coherence of the Communion as a whole, and not only for Provinces of the British Isles and The Episcopal Church in the USA. We urge the Archbishop of Canterbury to work in close collegial consultation with fellow Primates in the Communion, act decisively on already agreed measures in the Primates’ Meetings, and exercise effective leadership in nourishing the flock under our charge, so that none would be left wandering and bereft of spiritual oversight.

The full statement is posted here.

Comments (3)

This is a product of the Steering Committee of the Global South Primates chaired by Akinola. Perhaps the bigger news here is that Akinola has changed his tune on the Covenant.

Posted by John B. Chilton | October 26, 2009 10:56 AM

A two-fer. Pope upsets Catholics and Anglicans. And this is the pope that just had the lovefest Rome with the African Catholic bishops. Autocracy anyone?

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/676610/-/uo33jf/-/

The offer has raised questions whether it will not weaken the status of the Anglican church and reopen the issue of celibate priesthood for the Catholics. Kenyan clergy and scholars argue that the Pope’s move may not augur well for conservative Catholics who view the Apostolic Constitution as a dilution of the traditional Catholic doctrines.

Conservative Anglicans may, however, find the offer appealing as a way of sidestepping the controversies occasioned by the consecration of gay bishops and ordination of female priests. “There is necessity to prepare the Catholic clergy to avoid mass exodus as happened in 1963,” said Father Stephen Mbugua, an Egerton University chaplain.

ACK Archbishop Eliud Wabukala has rejected the papal offer arguing it was ill-timed. But he faces opposition from within as some of his bishops say there is nothing wrong with it. “I do not see why it is necessary at this point in history,” Archbishop Wabukala told the Sunday Nation on the phone.
..
The Catholic Church has been battling with rebel priests who have broken away to form splinter groups against the principle of celibacy. Fr Daniel Kasomo, a leading member of Married Priests Now! splinter group who openly admitted to having a family for 20 years, has since been barred from leading Mass or offering sacraments to Catholics. Other splinter groups include Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ and Reformed Catholic Church.

“This is interesting and is a clear case of admitting double standards by the Catholic Church. It is not in keeping with Catholic doctrines,” said Dr Keya. On the other hand, observers wonder whether the move might also intensify rivalry between the two largest Christian congregations in the world. Dr Keya’s take is that it will. “Why would the Pope be telling Anglican priests to cross over? This will bring rivalry.”

Posted by John B. Chilton | October 26, 2009 11:34 AM

As an ecclesial-refugee from the Global South (I now live in Atlanta and I'm canonically resident in ECUSA) I am not sure whether to be relieved or confused. I would have thought Akinola would have jumped at the chance. As John Chilton notes, it is possible that he is changing his stance somewhat.

Posted by Charles D. Bush | October 26, 2009 12:19 PM

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