"There are lots of triumphs for the Anglican Communion Network in its first few months of existence," Bishop Duncan said. "Half of the communion has openly recognized the Network, and the other half, from the accounts of the Primates' Meeting, have actually admitted that it is a fact on the ground, a fact to be dealt with, and it is the orthodox fact in North America."

Internally, said Bishop Duncan, much has also happened since the Network's founding to reunite the Anglican Diaspora in North America.

"This united missionary movement that we believe we were called to be has actually come about," Bishop Duncan said.

The Network, he added, has also found ways to respect the differences in its own ranks over other issues: "Think about the healing in our relationship over the ordination of women...The Network has provided a way for us to go forward together like the rest of the Communion has gone forward together."

Those many positive developments won't come without a cost, Bishop Duncan cautioned. Already, in the wake of the Primates' historic affirmation of mainstream Anglicanism, many who disagree are targeting orthodox minorities for persecution. Bishop Duncan pointed in particular to six Connecticut rectors in Network-affiliated congregations who were threatened with inhibition and deposition in the last week of March.

"Unfortunately, in between surviving and thriving is suffering," Bishop Duncan said. That suffering, he explained, may well include threats to other orthodox clergy members, attempts to claim congregational buildings and other resources, and demonization by those who disagree with mainstream Anglicanism. However, these events don't mean God is not at work, even though the incidents are discouraging.

"God will use the days ahead as we struggle and suffer," Bishop Duncan said. The bishop went on to point to two specific goals for the Network and its affiliates as part of their coming challenges.

First, "I think what the Lord wants for us is that we learn to work better with our Common Cause partners," Bishop Duncan said. In the past, he said, we've believed, "We haven't really needed them. I think God is going to break that spirit in us as we go through this very hard time."

Secondly, the challenges faced by Network affiliates, especially clergy, are an opportunity for the laity to take a greater role by organizing new dynamic, lay-driven congregations, and thereby building up orthodox Anglicanism in North America. Until this point, said Bishop Duncan, much of direction of the Network has "been dominated by what the bishops and clergy can do. Brothers and sisters, there is a sleeping giant and that's the laity."

Looking forward, Bishop Duncan encouraged all those in attendance at the weekend conference to remain committed, to stay steady in what is likely to be a time of difficulty and distress.

"Turtullian says the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Let's accept our vocations to be martyrs, witnesses," the bishop said. "Courage breeds courage. Remember those words from Plano? Brothers and sisters, courage is what is being asked of us just now."

END