Anglican Communion 101

I wrote this last year at the suggestion of my staff, but it seems, before General Convention, to be a good review. This also appeared in my parish newsletter.


To my surprise, many of you have asked me questions about the latest development in the Episcopal Church. This surprises me because - if I am to believe my adult children - only a tiny handful of people in the entire universe are interested in the church in general and the Episcopal Church in particular.

Some of you know that The Episcopal Church is a member of the Anglican Communion, but you don't know what that means, much less what it means to be suspended from it - 'effectively' or not. My staff has urged me to give you the basics - an "Anglican Communion 101" - so you'll have a better understanding. They also asked that I do this in 1,000 words or less. If the resurrection is counted as the first miracle of Easter, this would count as the second.

Primate

First, some terms: A Primate is the chief bishop of a national province in the Anglican Communion (http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/index.cfm ). The Episcopal Church USA calls our Primate the "Presiding Bishop."

Windsor Report

The Windsor Report (http://www.anglicancommunion.org/commission/index.cfm) was issued last October, the product of a worldwide commission charged with writing a response to the actions taken by the Episcopal Church in affirming the election of the Rt. Rev'd V. Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire. Bishop Robinson is the first openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion - but not the only gay bishop. Not by a long shot.

The response to the Windsor Report came from a gathering of 35 of the 38 Primates of the Anglican Communion who gathered together in Northern Ireland in February (never to accused of taking a 'junket') to discuss the recommendations of this Report. Their response has become known as the Primates Communiqué (http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/articles/39/00/acns3948.cfm ).

In March, the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church responded to both the Windsor Report and the Primates Communiqué, which has become known as The Covenant Statement (http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_60016_ENG_HTM.htm )

I'll do a little explanation of the Anglican Communion and finish with a brief interpretation of what it means for us in the pew.

Anglican Communion

When founded in the 16th century, the essential nature of Anglicanism was forged in the crucible of the Reformation. Queen Elizabeth I and other architects of our church like Thomas Cranmer and Richard Hooker, sought the via media, the "middle way" between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, maintaining its moderate and inclusive character in part by not making a lot of pronouncements about doctrine or setting many requirements for belief.

What we pray is what we believe

Rather, the guiding principle of Anglicanism is, and has been, "lex orandi, lex credendi," or "what we pray is what we believe." If, for example, you want to know our theology of marriage, you simply have to look in the book of Common Prayer and read that liturgy. So, too, with baptism or penitence or ordination.

While this is frustrating for those who like their religion writ large and spelled out clearly, the genius of Anglicanism is this: So long as we can worship together, say the historic creeds together, receive the Body and Blood of Christ together, we don't have to agree on every single jot and tittle of doctrine or practice. The peace of Christ will reign with us and among us - well, at least in theory.

Independent Provinces & the ABC

Likewise, the Anglican Communion consists of independent provinces, each of whom has its origins in the Church of England and worships according to a book whose origins can be traced by to the original 1549 Book of Common Prayer, adapted to local custom and culture. We pride ourselves on having "common prayer." (See "The Myth of Common Prayer. http://www.thewitness.org/ ).

There is no central governing authority as in the Roman Catholic Church. The Archbishop of Canterbury is respected as "first among equals," but has no legislative power over any province but his own. Each province's governing structure is self-determined, and the structure of the Episcopal Church USA reflects the democratic principles that formed our nation. It is a representative government, in which the laity and the clergy have equal voices, and our bishops are elected by the people from among the clergy, not appointed by a monarch, or prince of the Church - as is the case in England and other places.

The Lambeth meeting

How does one know whether one is a member of the Anglican Communion? It's a very simple, very British method. One - or, rather one's bishop or Primate - is invited (every ten years!) - by the Archbishop of Canterbury to his home, Lambeth Palace, for a conference that has become known, simply, as "Lambeth." (It's a tad more complicated that this, but this is the essence of it.)

During this two-week assembly, bishops and primates from around the world gather at Canterbury, England, worshipping at the altar of Canterbury Cathedral established by St. Augustine in 597 AD., and hearing reports of how Christians around the world are living out their faith.

They also study together controversial issues of the day and "seek the mind of Christ" to come to some resolution on the matter. These resolutions become the standard of teaching - but not the doctrine - of the church. And, of course, these resolutions have no binding authority in our lives of faith. (The next Lambeth is scheduled in 2008. We'll know if we're still part of the communion if the invitation is in the mail.)

So what, you ask? So what does any of this mean for us?

The first thing to know is that, while our actions in the summer of 2003 - after the triennial General Convention of the Episcopal Church had affirmed Bishop Robinson's election and permitted his consecration to go forward - have caused severe distress in parts of the Anglican Communion, we have, in no way, been "suspended" - effectively or not.

Authority

We need to remember that no matter how many recommendations or statements that are made by the primates, they do not have the authority to suspend a member church from the Anglican Communion. They may say, "We are not in communion with you," and that would be the case between those particular provinces. That has been effectively the situation regarding the ordination of women for the last 30 years.

Indeed, there remain three diocese in The Episcopal Church that continue to refuse to ordain women - in direct violation of our canons and, are effectively not in communion with provinces and diocese (our own and all around the world) that do welcome the ministry of ordained women as deacons, priests and bishops. (NB: England does not allow the consecration of women to the episcopate.)

I believe that, by our actions in the summer of 2003, we have, somewhat inadvertently and without malice of forethought, wandered into what Martin Smith calls "the crucifyingly obscure boundaries of our faith."

Anglicanism has always demanded a certain spiritual maturity - an ability to live in the tension of paradox and mystery, embracing the unconditional love of God and trying our best to live that out with authenticity and integrity.

This makes those of us who want our faith writ plain - in rules one through ten - very anxious and most unhappy. These folks earnestly believe the Episcopal Church has sinned and nothing less than "true repentance and amendment of life" will appease them.

Throw out TEC?

In other words, they want the ordination of Bishop Robinson declared null and void, the church to cease of blessing of same sex relationships, and require that no person of homosexual orientation be ordained in any capacity. If this does not happen, then these same folks want the Episcopal Church tossed out of (or, at least, uninvited from) the Anglican Communion.

And, of course, this won't happen. Essentially, nothing will really change for most folk in the pew at our church, or in our diocese, or in most places in the Anglican Communion. This is not because the issues are unimportant but, rather, because most places around the world have been dealing with issues of human sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular for years.

It is my sincere hope that the recommendation of the Windsor Report, which was repeated in the Primates' Communique and the Bishops Covenant Statement, will be taken seriously and enacted: that conversation with God's LGBT people be encouraged, and that study and education about homosexuality be promoted.

What we need to do...

We need to be as gracious and as generous as we can possibly be, allowing time for our sisters and brothers in the so-called Developing Nations to have the opportunity to deal more deeply with these diverse (if not divisive) cultural issues which are relatively new and "foreign, Western" ideas and constructs to many of them.

As frustrating and difficult as it is, we need to extend that same generosity of spirit to those in the Episcopal Church who fan the flames of intolerance both here and abroad. Jesus taught us that his Way, his Truth and his Life are not well served by meeting intolerance with intolerance. Hate will not change hate. Only love can do that. And, the new commandment Jesus gave us is: "Love one another." This is the impossible vocation Jesus gave to us all in our baptism.

To say, "these are the times that try men's souls" is rather like creating a tempest in a teapot. It is not to say, however, that these are not seriously difficult times in our church. Most certainly, they are.

However, I do believe that, by God's grace, we will find a way to move forward. Together. Intact. But it will not be without struggle. Nothing of any importance ever is. I believe the Anglican Communion is a gift of God to the people of God. As such, it is our responsibility and deep joy, as good stewards, to do everything in our ability to care for this gift. I believe our Presiding Bishop is doing just that.

If this raises more questions than answers for you, please let me know. I am most pleased to organize an adult forum or teaching series for you. I love the church, the Body of Christ, and find Her endlessly fascinating. I'm deeply pleased to know that there are those of you who do, too.