Matthew Davies, writing at Episcopal Life Online reports on the Communion Partners statement:
A statement released April 22 and signed by Episcopal bishops and clergy challenges the polity of the Episcopal Church by suggesting that dioceses are autonomous entities and independent of General Convention, the church’s main legislative body.
The statement, which drew swift criticism for being an attack on the church’s governance, was signed by 15 active and retired Episcopal Church bishops and endorsed by three Episcopal clergy who are members of the conservative Anglican Communion Institute. It was leaked online April 22 and officially released later the same day. It suggests that Episcopal Church dioceses are “not subject to any metropolitical power or hierarchical control” but rather “the ecclesiastical authorities in our dioceses are the Bishops and Standing Committees; no one else may act in or speak on behalf of the dioceses or of the Episcopal Church within the dioceses.”….
While the church’s public affairs office declined to comment, the group’s recent statement has been challenged by those who believe its suggestions on Episcopal Church polity are flawed.
Read the challenges and more here.