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BELLEVILLE, IL: ACA Bishops & Clergy Urge TAC Archbishop to Resign
By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
September 23, 2011
The Anglican Church in America (ACA) House of Clergy, meeting at Our Lady of the Snows, have urged their Archbishop John Hepworth to resign as Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, saying that his attempt to take his flock to Rome makes it impossible for him to continue as their leader.
"It is increasingly obvious to us and those for whom we are pastorally responsible that recent developments have made it impossible for you to continue to function effectively as Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion, and that the responsibilities of that office add immeasurably to the personal stress inevitable in your personal situation."
The ACA is the North American branch of the Traditional Anglican Communion.
"There is an urgent need for focused leadership of the TAC at this critical time in the life of the church. For the good of the church and your family, as well as for your own emotional, physical, and spiritual health, we prayerfully urge you to consider submitting your resignation as Primate forthwith.
"Because we are convinced that resolution of this matter is urgent for all parties concerned, we respectfully request a prompt response, and we await your reply.
"Our prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time."
More than three quarters of the ACA House of Bishops in North America have rejected the Ordinariate (Anglicanum Coetibus), an offer by the Pope for traditionalist Anglicans seeking unity with the Roman Catholic Church.
In other news, The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (Traditional Rite) has announced that it would not apply for an Ordinariate, neither will The Anglican Church of India. The Bishop of the Diocese of the Northeast of the Anglican Church in America is on record as saying, "This diocese and the national church structure will continue in its present form" and it is now clear that three of the four bishops of that Church will not be entering an Ordinariate.
Already one of the Bishops of the Anglican Catholic Church in Australia has resigned over this issue and two parishes have been received into the Anglican Catholic Church (Original Province). Sadly, the Anglican Catholic Church no longer exists in New Zealand.
It is known that the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada, other than her bishops, is also divided over the issue.
In Australia there are more priests and a number of the laity who will not be entering an Ordinariate and converting to Roman Catholicism. Thus, it can be seen that rather than effecting the unity of the Church, which they trumpet as being God's Will, those who are intent on becoming part of the Roman Catholic Church are, in fact, creating further division in their own Church.
This means that more than 90% of the communicant membership of the Traditional Anglican Communion (based on figures provided by the TAC) will not be entering an Ordinariate. It would appear that the TAC may cease to exist in its current form, but will not immediately disappear. What is not clear at present is the form it will take once those who are going to Rome have left.
Though it is sad to witness the fragmentation of the TAC, it may well result in the Continuing movement being more united and stronger, said a source in Australia.
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