You are here
Civil war brewing over Eames recommendations
From Church of England Newspaper
Liberals have warned that the Church of England would break into "civil war" if the American Church is disciplined for its consecration of the Anglican Communion's first active homosexual bishop.
There could be mass resignations amongst clergy who are sympathetic to the action taken by the Episcopal Church of the USA (ECUSA), according to the Dean of Southwark, the Rt Rev Colin Slee.
He said that recommendations from the Eames Commission that propose the exclusion of bishops supportive of Canon Gene Robinson's consecration from future Anglican summits would be devastating for the unity of the Communion Church of England.
"There would be outrage," Dean Slee commented. "I think a lot of clergy would consider resigning. This would be interference with the proper processes of an independent province, forced on them by other provinces who have no jurisdiction there."
A delegation of bishops flew in from America to meet with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, as it appeared that the Eames Commission, meeting this week, was moving towards taking action against ECUSA.
Under the likely resolution, the American Primate, the Most Rev Frank Griswold, would be barred from attending future Primates' Meetings as he presided at Canon Robinson's consecration. It would be a major blow to Bishop Griswold, who is already furious at the interference in his province of Ugandan bishops, who are providing oversight to conservative parishes in Los Angeles that have broken with their bishop.
Primates from the Global South have called for ECUSA to be expelled from the Communion, but they would welcome recommendations that exclude bishops supportive of Canon Robinson's consecration until they repent of their action.
The Most Rev Greg Venables, Primate of the Southern Cone (South America), said: "It's now beyond doubt that the majority of Anglicans worldwide aren't in agreement with what has happened in America and Canada. The commission will have to reflect that reality or there is little hope for the future of the Communion."
However, the Rev Dr Giles Fraser, Chair of the pressure group, Inclusive Church, said: "The idea you can sort things out by scapegoating Americans is absolutely preposterous. I can't believe it's going to happen. It would bring civil war in the Church of England."
The Rev Robert Van de Weyer, a Cambridgeshire vicar, said that he would consider looking for American supervision if the hardline proposals were imposed. "I personally would find myself unable to be a member of an ecclesiastical organisation which effectively condemned homosexuality as sinful," he said.
"The churches in America are seeking Ugandan and Nigerian supervision, we might seek American supervision. And that's probably what we might find ourselves forced to do. This is very speculative but that is the kind of scenario that would unfold if the American Episcopal Church is excluded."
The Eames Commission, which includes both conservative and liberals, is due to deliver its final report to Dr Williams by the end of the month, which will then be discussed at the Primates' Meeting in October. END
