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EVANSVILLE, IN: Anglican bishop seeks healing
By JIMMY NESBITT
Courier & Press staff writer
October 12, 2005
Episcopalians who broke away from their parishes must now begin a time of healing, said Anglican Bishop Frank Lyons of the Diocese of Bolivia.
Lyons spoke Tuesday night at All Saints Anglican Church of Evansville, which has aligned itself with the South American diocese. "The Lord has something special for this congregation - a new beginning," Lyons said.
All Saints Anglican Church is one of 11 churches that have aligned with Lyons since the Episcopal Church in 2003 ordained an openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson, in New Hampshire. Anglican bishops in Africa, Asia and Latin America, have denounced that action and withdrawn from the American church. "Jesus is not unaware of what we've been through," Lyons said. "He stood for the truth, and he was spit on."
Lyons is touring those 11 churches, with Evansville being his first stop. Lyons said he will keep those congregations under his care until a structure can be formed in the United States that represents an Anglican community. What happened in Evansville is not uncommon throughout the world, Lyons said. "The Internet has knocked down whatever geographical boundaries there were before," and some people are
aligning and worshipping based on ideas and not geography, he said.
"I also think we see Christians of many denominations getting together (and) not necessarily worrying about the denominations."
The Rev. Robert Giffin, rector of the All Saints Anglican Church, said his parish has grown by about 25 percent since the church was formed. Giffin said he hopes "American Anglicanism will find an orthodox form at some point."
Aligning with the Bishop of Bolivia " will allow us to keep our focus on the gospel (instead of focusing) on the secular things that Americans typically find to be more important ... ," he said. Lyons, who was born in Denver and educated in the United States, understands the country's political system, Giffin said. "That's very important to have that understanding. He knows what's at stake, and he's seen how things have fallen apart, not just in the Episcopal church but across mainline denominations that ... don't really have a comprehensive theology, understanding or gospel.
"That's reflected in their declining numbers. We believe if we remain faithful and attach to Godly bishops, we can transform the world."
Copyright 2005 The Evansville Courier Co.
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