"And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, 'Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.'" 
                                                       Luke 22:41-42

• A Message From Bishop Anderson
• A Request From the GAFCON Leadership Team
• Commentary: Flaws in Misconduct Canons
• Bishop Duncan Responds to Bishop Schori
• Bishop Mouneer Anis Reflections on the Joint Standing Committee (JSC)
• March SEWAAC Meeting to Feature David W. Virtue

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A Message From Bishop Anderson

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Old News Revisited:
With the remarks of the Archbishop of Canterbury on Sharia Law continuing to reverberate, one has to wonder what he was thinking when he made them. Could he be so inept in affairs of church and state and the reality on the street that he actually believes that allowing Sharia Law is desirable or inevitable? On the other hand, if he believes it is undesirable but inevitable, just what is he willing to do about it?

The Archbishop does not yet seem to understand that when he rambles on about explosive topics, he is no longer in a University lecture hall where you can "tease" ideas and push students to think. His remarks have not only caused unneeded uproar in the public sector in England, but have been picked up by Muslim leaders in critical areas of the world, who believe (rightly or wrongly) that he is serious.  Trevor Grundy, in an article for Episcopal News Service, reports praise for Rowan Williams from a Nigerian Islamic leader. Grundy writes, "Speaking at the Royal Institute for International Affairs in London on March 6, the leader of the multi-million strong Qadiriyyah wing of the Islamic faith, Nigerian Sheikh Qaribullahi Nasiru Kabara, told academics and diplomats that he felt "very good" when he heard what Williams had to say at a February lecture."

Does the Archbishop of Canterbury understand how his words will make life more difficult for Christians, indeed Anglicans of his own global communion, as they live in the shadow of Sharia? How can a man who sees himself as brilliant say and do such damaging things? Or, as a brilliant man, does he know exactly what he is doing and is he quite pleased with the results? Many of us are still quite simply at a loss to explain his words on this and many occasions.

In other areas Dr. Williams is clearer in his intent, and although we don't agree with it, it is at least not foggy. Lambeth Palace has been uncertain as to what to do about the probable boycott of Lambeth Conference 2008, or the organization of the Global Anglican Future Pilgrimage and Conference (GAFCON) scheduled for Jordan and Jerusalem in June. Recent indications are that he might wish to send greetings and request a report from GAFCON to be brought to Lambeth. Is this a kinder and gentler Dr. Williams, wishing to rebuild bridges with a majority of his Anglican Communion? Most likely not. He would like to characterize GAFCON as a pre-Lambeth meeting, and since the lesser reports to the greater, the report of the lesser is subject to dismissal by the greater. In fact, GAFCON is not connected to Lambeth in any way except that some who would be eligible to attend Lambeth are INSTEAD attending GAFCON, and some GAFCON attendees are otherwise eligible but uninvited and unwanted at Lambeth - such as bishops from the Anglican Mission in America (AMiA) and the Convocation of Anglicans in North America (CANA) and three bishops consecrated in Kenya and Uganda for North American missionary duty.

Since I am one of the ones who might have been invited to Lambeth as a Nigerian bishop but am not desired because I serve CANA in the United States, I have had some time to reflect on this situation from a personal standpoint. If those of us who are orthodox Anglican bishops had all been invited, and had we gone with our brother bishops from our respective overseas Provinces, how would we have entered into Eucharistic fellowship and communion with the bishops from the American Episcopal Church (TEC) who are currently teaching false doctrine, permitting and even celebrating immoral behavior, deposing clergy including bishops who disagree with them, and going to secular courts of law to bring suit against our clergy and laity? It is not a small thing that a simple "sorry" could wipe away. To be in Eucharistic fellowship with them would require a profound change of mind and heart on their part, a return to historic orthodox Christian teaching and practice, and a cessation of litigation and depositions. Could this happen? With God all things are possible, yet it may also be that, as written in Chapter 1 of the Letter to the Romans, God is giving them up to their own sins and iniquities.

Current Events:
A news story in "The Living Church" reports that The Episcopal Church in America, which either has great wealth or is short of money, depending on what the issue and request might be, is terminating stipends and travel reimbursements to overseas missionaries. Although the article is not crystal clear about how deeply the cuts go, and how many missionaries the cuts will hurt, the article gives as stated reasons the rising costs of the benefit packages. This story, coming out of the Quito, Ecuador meeting of the Executive Council of TEC seems to contradict the huge allocation of $500,000 of income from Trust Funds for suing and pursuing orthodox bishops such as John-David Schofield of San Joaquin diocese, Bob Duncan of Pittsburgh, and Jack Iker of Fort Worth. Additionally Bishop Pierre Whalon just returned from Africa where with TEC money he bought Land Rovers and handed the keys to several bishops. While this latter case would seem far more noble than the former case, it is understood that keys to Land Rovers don't come without strings attached. One might say, "Well, the Israelites took Egypt's gold with them, why not take some of TEC's gold, too?" The problem is that the Israelites took the gold, then soon afterwards made a golden calf out of it. It may be hard to take TEC's gifts and not have it lead one astray.

In any event, both examples raise this question: if there is money for these two purposes (suing Christian bishops and buying Land Rovers), why is there not money for missionaries to be fully funded? Or to cite a remark I made in a previous Update, why are TEC seminaries closing or restructuring for lack of money? It should make people wonder.

The TEC House of Bishops, meeting at Camp Allen in Texas, attempted to depose former TEC bishops John-David Schofield and William J. Cox. Bishop Cox is in his 80s, and his courage and conviction in the face of threats terrible remind one of Polycarp and his reply to his tormentors. If they both transferred out of TEC, and are enrolled in good standing in another Anglican province, how can TEC depose them and deprive them of their Holy Orders in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church? If someone who has worked for General Motors quits and moves over to Ford, and tells General Motors of the action, can you imagine General Motors screaming at them, "No, No, you can't quit, you're FIRED!" Sorry, TEC, you got there too late. A factor complicating the HOB's rush to execution is covered by George Conger and Steve Waring in the "Living Church": the meeting in Camp Allen lacked sufficient numbers to meet canonical requirement for a lawful deposition. It is being reported that "Slightly more than one-third of all bishops eligible voted to depose bishops John-David Schofield and William J. Cox during the House of Bishops' spring retreat, far fewer than the 51 percent required by the canons." What now? I promise you TEC will find a way; their anger and hatred will not be denied. All this is brought to you by the inclusive, tolerant, and "listening" TEC.

TEC is also moving rapidly to depose additional bishops before they can leave. Practicing their best Donald Trump voice, they are preparing to say to  Bishops Duncan, Iker and retired Bishop McBurney, "YOU'RE FIRED"  or more accurately, "YOU'RE DEPOSED," before they can leave TEC. The word out on the street is that Presiding Bishop Jefferts Schori is most anxious to depose Duncan, and since her first attempt was thwarted weeks ago, she is now planning to send a "mail in ballot" to the House of Bishops later this spring to hurry the process along. It seems she doesn't like the Bishop of Pittsburgh, which speaks well of my friend Bishop Duncan.

With the action taken against Schofield and Cox one wonders why the often called "Windsor Bishops" have remained silent, and why they have not accounted for how they voted, and spoken clearly of the wrongness of this action. We would earnestly urge them to issue a Minority Report, and set forth why from both Christian as well as Windsor standards this action was absolutely wrong. This is a time to hear from you.

Internationally:
It is puzzling why Michael Poon of Singapore has made such a vitriolic attack on the Global Anglican Future Conference and Primate Peter J. Akinola. Poon's recent writings seem to have taken leave of all sense. Could he not use some of this excess anger against those revisionists who are removing the theological and spiritual content from Anglicanism? If he is speaking for himself and not on behalf of his Province, we would urge saner and more reasoned minds to remind him of how his words reflect on his province. The Singapore that we know is the exact opposite of Michael Poon's writings, and is instead loving, reasoned and orthodox.

This is Holy Week. I pray that the writers of vitriol and the perpetrators of outrageous actions would pause and reflect with us on what Jesus has done for us, and what the implications of the Atonement and shed blood of Jesus are. May this Easter celebration remind us that our bondage to sin and Satan was broken by a life given in our place, the life of the Son of God himself, Jesus the Messiah.

Blessings and Peace in our risen Lord,

The Rt. Rev. David C. Anderson, Sr.
President and CEO, American Anglican Council
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A Request From the GAFCON Leadership Team

Source:  GAFCON Leadership Team (Via Email)

Date:  March 18, 2008 

GAFCON is organised to enable the Anglican Orthodox to think, discuss and pray about the future of the Anglican Communion.

Many Anglican Orthodox leaders have come to the conclusion that the 2008 Lambeth conference as it is structured and led is fundamentally compromised and will not provide the environment and process to struggle with the challenges threatening the future of the communion.

The GAFCON gathering does not mean schism. It seeks to set out a clear biblically faithful and orthodox vision for the future of the Anglican Communion, share with the rest of the communion in all available forums and work at shaping the communion towards that end.

The Conference and Pilgrimage will identify the biblical and theological truths that unite and empower us, work on ways of equipping the whole church for ministry and mission, identify approaches and resources for the economic empowerment of the Church in the Global South, share experiences and resources of churches in their work addressing poverty, HIV/Aids, human rights, engagement in advocacy and policy and ministry in contexts of religious hostility and plurality.

Your support will enable Bishops and their wives to join with others not only in addressing the issues facing the future of orthodox witness in the Communion but particularly to chart a new path for developing enterprise solutions to poverty in many dioceses with important implications for their future well being.The cost of hotel, board, local travel, visits to holy sites and conference registration is set at 1300 pounds for a couple. Each participant is encouraged to provide their own travel costs but in some cases help will be needed. For some, travel costs will average 1100 pounds per couple. 

As many as 300 Bishops with their wives are expected to attend.  A small number will need full subsidy of costs. Most will need up to 50% subsidy, so we are seeking a significant total in all. We believe this is one of the most important meetings involving the Anglican Communion that we have seen in our lifetime today. History is poised potentially to turn on its hinges if this gathering of world Anglican leaders is successful.

Cheques may be made to: Anglican Mainstream, 21 High Street, Eynsham, 0X29 4HE, UK or to  The American Anglican Council 2296 Henderson Mill Road, NE Suite 406 Atlanta, GA  30345-2739, USA.  Please  designate  your gift to GAFCON.

Sincerely in Christ

The Gafcon Leadership team

Donate to GAFCON by clicking here or going to www.gafcon.org
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Commentary: Flaws in Misconduct Canons

Source:  The Living Church
 
Date:  March 17, 2008

By: Steve Waring
 
Barring a tidal wave of negative letters being sent to the task force charged with rewriting The Episcopal Church's "misconduct canons," clergy and lay leaders may have to stop and ask themselves whether anyone might be offended before publishing a critical opinion piece or posting an edgy blog entry on the internet.
 
That's because among the changes being proposed by the "Title IV Task Force II" are those that would expand the definition of conduct unbecoming a member of the clergy to include virtually any public criticism of the church and its policies, and others permitting misconduct complaints to be filed "in any manner and in any form." The task force recently released a draft of its work. Public comment on the 40-page document concludes June 30. The task force's final report will be submitted for consideration to the 76th General Convention in 2009.
 
In an interview with Episcopal News Service, Steve Hutchinson of Utah, chairman of the task force, said the group sought to move away from a criminal justice model. He said the group recognized "that a reconciliation model is more consistent with our theology," and that it should consider other professional-misconduct models, such as the American Medical Association's code. There is "an emphasis on pastoral resolution" at all stages, Mr. Hutchinson told ENS, yet there is also a requirement that any pastoral resolution between a bishop and priest or deacon be reviewed and approved "so that there's not the appearance of fair or unfair allegations or sweetheart deals..."
 
Read the entire article by clicking here.
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Bishop Duncan Responds to Bishop Schori

Source:  Diocese of Pittsburgh

Date:  March 14, 2008

Dear Katharine,
In response to the request set forth in your letter of January 15th (which enclosed the certification of the Title IV Review Committee), I state that I consider myself "fully subject to the doctrine, discipline and worship of this Church."

In particular:

1. I have striven to follow the Lord Jesus with all my heart and mind and soul and strength, all the while relying on God's grace to accomplish what my sinfulness and brokenness otherwise prevent.

2. I have kept my ordination vows - all of them - to the best of my ability, including the vow I made on 28 October 1972 to "banish and drive away all strange and erroneous doctrines contrary to God's Word."

3. I have preached and taught nothing but what faithful Anglicans and mainstream Christians have always preached and taught, with the exception only that I have supported and encouraged the ministry of women in Holy Orders.

4. I have been present to all but two meetings of the House of Bishops (out of twenty-four) during the last 12 years. In those meetings I have clearly and openly opposed the theological and moral drift of the Episcopal Church, often in the face of great hostility and sadly, at times, derision.

5. I have made no submission to any other authority or jurisdiction.

6. I have gathered Anglican fragments together from one hundred and thirty-five years of Episcopal Church division, vastly increasing understanding and cooperation, though preserving the jurisdictional independence of all.

7. I have, with the clergy, people and para-church organizations of my diocese, built missionary relationships all over the world, fielding both missionaries and resources on five continents.

8. I have faithfully served and shepherded the clergy and people of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh through what has, by God's grace, been one of its greatest periods of extension and blessing. My intention is to continue in this call for what remains of my active ministry.
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Bishop Mouneer Anis Reflections on the Joint Standing Committee (JSC)

Source:  Global South Anglican

Date:  March 3, 2008

By the time I finished the meetings of the JSC, I realised that I lost many of the hopes which I had before the meeting. Several friends discouraged me to attend the JSC meeting but I insisted to go as I don't believe in withdrawal. Jesus is our best example in this regard.  He spoke the truth boldly everywhere He went. Some accepted the truth, some refused and some wanted to murder Him, but He never stopped speaking the truth and meeting His friends as well as His enemies.

My hopes diminished for the following reasons:

• I cannot see any desire to follow things through as decided before.
  The Windsor Report (TWR) recommendations, which was accepted by everyone since it was produced in 2004 is a very good example. These recommendations were affirmed during the Primates meeting in 2005, everyone waited for TEC and Canada to respond. TEC's responses were unclear and the Primates at Dar es Salam requested a clear response by the 30th of September.  The response was clearly inadequate as Archbishop Rowan mentioned in his Advent letter.  What action did we take or recommend in the JSC meeting?  The answer is nothing.  Moreover, the very people who cause the current crisis are invited to Lambeth Conference and this contradicts with TWR as will as Dar es Salam recommendations. This widens the gap and distrust between the two sides within the Communion. 

This makes me ask, "Are we ready to take decisions as Anglican Councils"? I do appreciate the "via media" in worship but not when we are dealing with a crisis.  When will we become decisive?

• The first thing that upset me is that while we emphasise the importance of listening, very little time was given to discussing the important issues. Such issues were pushed to the last day of the meeting. I had expected that the very issues that are tearing the Communion apart would be given more time and priority.

I came to listen and share but there was not enough time for that. I expected that we would engage in constructive listening and discussion, especially while the Presiding Bishop of TEC was with us. How can we expect our congregations to be involved in the listening process when we ourselves are not?

•  While the presence of the Presiding Bishop of TEC was so important during discussions, her presence as we decided about resolutions of assessment of the response of TEC inhibited other members from speaking freely. This was clear from the comments of some other members outside the meetings.
   
•  I was shocked when the time line of the covenant process was presented. The plan that it would be enacted in 2015 gives the impression that we are NOT in a state of crisis and that there is no desire to move towards a solution. In my opinion, if we wait until 2015 or even 2012 the Communion will be fragmented. If we truly are in a situation that makes us "seriously concerned", as mentioned in the JSC resolution, how can we wait another four or seven years?
   
• I was also very surprised that some now speak of the ambiguity of the Windsor recommendations and the meaning of "moratorium". Where have these people been since 2004?  Why were these questions not raised in Dar es Salam? 

I am sorry to share my heartaches in this report, but I hope that this will encourage all of us in the Communion to pray especially for Archbishop Rowan and the Windsor Continuing Group so that the right decisions would be taken.

I realise that the forthcoming Lambeth Conference may add to my disappointment but I am determined to go, to listen and share with an open heart and firm stand.

+Mouneer

The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Anis
Bishop of Egypt, North Africa and the Horn of Africa
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March SEWAAC Meeting to Feature David W. Virtue

David W. Virtue, DD, founder of VirtueOnline.org, will be the guest speaker at the next General Meeting of the Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the AAC (SEWAAC).  The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 29th at Zion Episcopal Church in Oconomowoc, beginning at 10:00 a.m.  A Holy Eucharist in the Church will precede the meeting, starting at 9:15 a.m.  The General Meeting will take place in the Great Hall.

VirtueOnline is the Anglican Communion's largest biblically orthodox news service, read by 4 million readers in 140 countries each year. A prolific writer and journalist, Virtue has been writing about Anglican issues for twenty years, covering the news at every major meeting of church leadership throughout the world.

The title of Virtue's topic is: "The Anglican Communion: Whither Bound?"