ROUGH ROUGH
The Windsor Continuation Group report released yesterday with the Primates’ Communique plays a central role in the communique. Jim Naughton and Tobias Hallerflagged that for us. And then the ABC flagged it in his press conference: There is a
need for a shift of focus in the life of the communion from autonomy of provinces with communion added on, to communion as the primary reality with autonomy and accountability understood within that framework. So that’s the way the major shift is flagged up. I think that reflects very much the tone of the Lambeth Conference as well.
He goes on to highlight the two other major ways the WCG report found its way into the communique: Bolstering all four instruments of communion to make them “adequate to the situation”; And, “the enormous difficulties of parallel jurisdiction” but the “implication of the desire of these groups to be Anglicans and be in relationship with the Anglican Communion.” For this “sensitive area” the recommendation is mediation and pastoral visitors.
“I think the focus of this meeting has not been the presenting issue [gays in the church] but much more issues of ecclesiology about what kind of church we are.”
Speaking as convener.
It’s not a new province What is a group that has a constitution desire to Anglicans very very unclear.
recognizes the desire of these groups to be Anglicans and be in relationship with the Anglican Communion
The report is at pains to erode the autonomy of these churches [the provinces], but at least this fact is acknowledged up front. … The desire of its authors for a greater centralization of authority is evident. If you are a lay person, the effect, and perhaps the intent of this [WCG] report, written by five bishops and one retired cathedral dean, is to disenfranchise you.
Haller shares those concerns and concludes:
I make no bones about my traditional Anglican preference for a group of churches in communion, as opposed to a single world-Church. If I wanted the latter, I could have joined one; and I see no need to create another one, since the Roman Catholic Church does a very effective job of being one.
If you’ve not listened to the concluding press conference, perhaps you should. Here’s the link that takes you to the ACNS summary where the 16 minute audio is embedded.
On the theme of “need for a shift of focus in the life of the communion from autonomy of provinces with communion added on, to communion as the primary reality” the Archbishop said:
Three
“A set of recommendations of instruments of communion. All four need some looking at in terms of are they adequate to the prese”
“WCG reports notes the desire of these groups to be Anglicans. Mediation. Pastoral forum pastoral visitors