A very wise person once said: "Leave them alone, if this is from God it will last. If not, it will take care of itself." (I paraphrase badly, sorry.) That wisdom is true. Very true.

So much for a unified front of orthodox Anglicanism in North America. How long before the other groups find faults with this body (such as the Reformed Episcopal Church)?

Eric

Well, wait for the monstrances to come out among the Anglo-Catholic elements and you'll get your answer...

Matt Kennedy posting this at Stand Firm added these observations:

"Below are seven personal thoughts, opinions, and observations.

"1. The AMiA has moved from full membership in the ACNA to partnership status. Despite the nicely written communique, this constitutes a real parting or, for lack of a better word, "division". Yes, we will likely remain "partners" and continue to work together in various ways but the fact remains that we are no longer "bound" on an institutional level. The ACNA and the AMiA, in other words, may continue to drive together in the same direction but we are no longer in the same car.

"2. The biggest down side of this for the ACNA is that it seems to fulfill the predictions of her many critics...that the internal disagreements between the various member organizations would make long term unity impossible. There is no way for the ACNA spin this as an entirely positive thing (while I think there may be some hidden positives in it) and I think it would a huge mistake to try. The best bet is to acknowledge the loss with grace and charity and get on with the mission of the ACNA

"3. The biggest positive stems from the fact that the AMiA has always been its own creature. Though they have been full members in name, they have also fiercely guarded their prerogatives and ethos. While other jurisdictions (Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda etc) were released by their home provinces to fully integrate with the ACNA, the AMiA never was. Of course there are constitutional reasons for this as the communique notes, but there is more to it. AMiA leaders often speak of the AMiA's unique "charism" for mission and have structured their organization in a way that they believe best meets their special calling. AMiA churches are divided into organic, geographically grouped, affinity based "Mission Networks" rather than traditional dioceses. Seeing themselves as "crack troops" when it comes to mission/evangelism they have, in my experience, been loath to integrate their structure with the wider structure of the ACNA. This is not at all to say that the other jurisdictions are at this point fully integrated but the others do tend to be on board with the idea of full integration (respecting, of course, the necessary distinctions between WO and non WO dioceses) whereas the AMiA has never really been so.

"So here's the positive: The difficulties of working around the AMiA's structural needs are no more. The already existing internal structural difficulty has now been acknowledged and dealt with. This should serve both the ACNA and the AMiA well.

"4. I have always thought that the predictions of the inevitable collapse of the ACNA were driven more by hope and spite than reality. And as one who took part in the drafting of the original constitution and canons I remain persuaded that the organic framework provides enough freedom of conscience for all member organizations to remain member organizations permanently. It is interesting that the debate with the most potential to divide, Women's Ordination, was not at issue here. The ACNA/AMiA division is not theological but ecclesiological/structural. This bodes well for the continuing unity of the remaining jurisdictions that have already bought into the theological freedom and ecclesiological structure of the ACNA as it stands. ...."

So if you are keeping score at home, and you want to know what percentage of the Episcopal Church has joined the Anglican Church in North America, you now have to subtract from the 80,000 they once claimed all of the Reformed Episcopal Church--which was in existence for many years before Gene Robinson was born--all of the AMiA and all of the Canadian membership. I don't have the math in front of me, but I think we may now be below 2 percent. If ACNA is ever recognized by the Anglican Communion it would suggest that any breakaway movement in any province would have to be recognized if it could muster a similiar following.

Re: AMiA/ACNA split. As my blessed grandmother used to say, "Careful. Dead wood always splinters."

So am I to also ascertain from a couple of comments that the REC has also left ACNA? I had not yet heard that.

What does this do to the argument that AMiA churches posited in the Virginia case to steal the Dio Virginia property?

No the REC is still a part of the ACNA, but for how long? There are some not so subtle differences between them and other members.

David - AMiA and CANA co-exist in Virginia. Only CANA is involved in the property dispute with Diocese of Va.

had a look at the numbers over at Simon's site. If you subtract the REC, which left TEC more than 130 years ago, the AMiA, which is no longer a member of ACNA and the Canadians, you end up deducting just over 37,000 members from the original figure of 81,000+. That leaves you with 44,000, which is 2 percent of the 2.2 million Episcopalinans. I suspect that both the 44,000 and the 2.2 million are somewhat inflated. But I think 2 percent holds nicely as a shorthand.

Of course you are correct John. Foolish of me to confuse Cana and AMiA. All the acronyms confuse me after awhile.

See the lastest. Commenters may want to continue this conversation there:
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/other_churches/duncan_explains_amias_fellow_t.html

This has always been a microschism. Giving ACNA 2% of TEC is generous. ACNA grossly overstates their numbers. Their movement has peaked. Only a few more will bolt for ACNA, and some individuals and congregations will return to TEC, especially when faced with losing their property. The microschism is winding down, and it is no longer a significant threat to the survival of the Episcopal Church. Now it's just up to the lawyers.

I'm just wondering how Matt Kennedy decided to spin the latest scandal at NARTH involving Dr. Rekers and the Rentboy.

As Mother Kaeton's blessed grandmother used to say, "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." (Or was that my grandmother?)