The mainstream media’s initial responses to the GAFCON statement reveal a variety of interpretation. The British papers think the challenge to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s authority is extremely significant. They also seem to believe that GAFCON participants have said something new about their relationship with the Episcopal Church. That isn’t the case. Primates who have attempted to poach Episcopal Churches will continue to do so, but the list hasn’t grown. Dioceses that were itchy to leave may do so, but it is unlikely that others will join the queue.
Unfortunately, Americans looking for a church that uses the Scriptures to justify their prejudices already have a wide variety of choices. It’s not as though these guys are filling a market niche.
The Telegraph, BBC, Reuters, the Guardian and the Sydney Morning Herald are all in the mix.
Headline of the day goes to the BBC: “Conservative Anglicans form group.” Dull as dishwater, but accurate.
One looks in vain in these articles for a liberal voice to balance the evangelical cheerleading. One wonders why “orthodox” and anti-gay function as synonyms in the press. There is nothing orthodox about Peter Akinola’s frequently expressed bigotry against homosexuals.
A point for consideration by leaders in the Episcopal Church: The decision to exclude gays and lesbians from the episcopate has not brought peace to the Communion.
Paul Handley of the Church Times focuses our attention on the “Jerusalem Declaration.” He’s also got a useful interview with Archbishop Peter Jensen.
Speaking of whom, thank goodness for this speech by Michael Kirby, a judge of the High Court of Australia. After a week’s worth of listening to Jensen, it makes one feel much better about Australians.
More MSM: Christian Science Monitor, Jerusalem Post, New York Times, Guardian (dated Monday), Aljazeera, New Vision (Uganda) (which is telling its readers the group has “broken ties with the authority of Canterbury”)