Attacks unleashed against the AAC
A letter to AAC members from the Rev. Canon David Anderson

1/18/04

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

This past week a series of attacks were unleashed against the AAC in a thinly veiled effort to derail the Network Convocation. There is an attempt to divide the participants by painting the American Anglican Council, and those who uphold the biblical faith, as the cause of the current crisis in the Episcopal Church.

Here's how the attacks began: A draft strategy paper drawn up by an AAC subcommittee on Adequate Episcopal Oversight (AEO) was given to at least three media outlets (Washington Post, Religion News Service, and the UK's Guardian) by an unknown source this past week. The draft strategy paper was reported by a Washington Post article as supposed proof of a hidden AAC agenda to "supplant" the Episcopal Church.

While this makes a good storyline, there was almost nothing in the draft strategy paper that the AAC and others haven't said publicly before. It is no secret that the AAC has been pursuing Adequate Episcopal Oversight as a way to provide relief and pastoral care for orthodox congregations in hostile dioceses. Since October, we have had an oversight application form and guidelines posted on our website! More importantly, the Anglican Primates said unanimously in October that adequate oversight must be implemented in ECUSA. It is also no secret that ECUSA has abandoned the historic faith and doctrine of the Church and has tragically broken its fellowship with most of the Anglican Communion. And it is also no secret that, because of ECUSA's actions, there now needs to be a new structure formed through which orthodox Episcopalians can remain in full fellowship with Anglicans worldwide.

As for a desire to "replace" ECUSA, it is the mainstream Anglican Primates, themselves, who have suggested it. Will there ultimately be such a "replacement" jurisdiction? We can't know, and even if we desired it, it is not up to the AAC or orthodox Episcopalians to make that decision. It is up to the Anglican Primates.

Expect more of these types of attacks. They will probably get nastier and more personal in the days ahead. Don't believe what you hear and be assured that these attacks will not deter the AAC. The plain truth is this: the General Convention of ECUSA brought this pain and division on our Church.

Stand firm and remember that Jesus is the only truth, and His truth will prevail.

Faithfully in Christ Jesus,

The Rev. Canon David C. Anderson
AAC President and CEO