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RWANDAN PRIMATE SAYS WINDSOR REPORT IS NOT FINAL WORD
by Emmanuel Kolini
Now that the anticipated "Windsor Report" has been released publicly, it is quite important to note that this Report is recommendatory in nature and by no means the final word concerning the heretical doctrines and practices in various parts of the Anglican Communion, including the United States and Canada. The content of the Report - a product of a seventeen-person Commission - is not unexpected. Regretfully, it offers an institutional and ecclesiological response to grave theological and doctrinal matters which erode the Gospel message. A Scriptural response - and not one based in church politics - is vital at this crucial time.
It is also observed that the Report overlooks the long history of
overlapping jurisdictions within the Anglican Communion, dating back more than two and one-half centuries and even sanctioned by the British Parliament.
Numerous examples have emerged throughout the Communion over the years. These include the Church Missionary Society, the previous but longstanding presence of two Anglican churches in Scotland, 'flying' bishops in England and Wales, the Church of South India's presence in the United States, the situation in the Armed Forces, and the presence of American and English Dioceses in Europe, among others. (Read more at http://209.35.87.15/amia/resources_sub.cfm?id=14)
Furthermore in the last several years, the reality of this practice has
expanded to involve not only the establishment of the Anglican Mission in America, but also the ministry of the leadership of additional Provinces, including the actions or expressed intentions of the leadership in the Provinces of Uganda (in the USA), Southern Cone (USA), Kenya (USA and Canada - ACiC), Congo (Canada - ACiC), Central Africa (USA and Canada - ACiC), Nigeria (in North America), Tanzania (Italy) and now Brazil (USA). Humanly devised borders must not be used to keep the Gospel out of beleaguered lands. The Gospel imperative must be paramount in importance in our actions and our words!
While the Report will continue the seemingly endless process of
conversation, dialogue and discussion, we must not be deterred from the foremost mission of God's church to proclaim the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. We must forge ahead in the work of God's Kingdom.
Everyday people die without having accepted the eternal grace offered in Jesus Christ. We must not lose the urgency for the Great Commission!
The Most Rev. Emmanuel Kolini is Primate of the Province of the Episcopal Church of Rwanda
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