Schism begins: Fort Worth to break away

Sensational news from the US. Forth Worth is to seek 'alternative primatial oversight' from an African primate. This is the closest yet to formal schism in the Anglican Communion. Others of the Network dioceses are expected to follow suit. San Joaquin, Rio Grande, Central Florida perhaps? (Some of the Network affiliates want to continue to work it out with TEC.) (Update: Quincy is not going with Fort Worth, see end of post.)

I don't know which African Primate is to be approached, save that it is not necessarily Peter Akinola. Nigeria must be a possibility, depending on how big the finger they wish to give to their present PB , but being Forward in Faith dioceses, they might also be looking in a catholic rather than evangelical direction. Central Africa or Rwanda perhaps?

Fort Worth's standing committee and executive are meeting this afternoon, and we can expect a statement after that, around midnight GMT. According to StandFirm, what I'm saying here comes close to, but does not precisely match, what they have been hearing as well. The report has sparked a fascinating debate already at that StandFirm post, with Bolivia and the West Indies both named by commenters as possible new Primates for what one describes as this 'Anglican alphabet soup'. Also more here from StandFirm.

It was an impeccable source within TEC who told me: 'Fort Worth is in conversation with four other dioceses about seeking alternative primatial oversight outside The Episcopal Church. They have yet to come to an agreement with an African Primate.' (Btw, talking of TEC, I like the longing expressed on the recent Episcope blog, in a reflection on Dr Akinola's recent installation of Martyn Minns, for powers akin to those of the former Kings of England, who shoved dissenters in the Tower and chopped their heads off.)

The statement coming from Fort Worth tonight is expected to outline developments to date, and why they feel driven to take this drastic step. It will have a huge impact because, although individual congregations have left before, mainly for CANA, this will be the first diocese to declare its departure. And then, for four other dioceses go as well - do TEC have enough lawyers to fight this many property battles I wonder?

The developments to be charted in the statement will include last summer's fruitless appeal to the Archbishop of Canterbury for alternative primatial oversight, the dioceses' own rejection of the Presiding Bishop's offer of a primatial vicar appointed by her and their refusal even to attend the meeting where she proposed it. Then of course there was TEC's own bishops utter rejection of the solution proposed by the Tanzania Primates' meeting.

The development, the most serious fracture in the Communion to date, was welcomed by evangelical leaders in the UK.

Bishop Wallace Benn, of Lewes, President of the Church of England Evangelical Council, said: 'Bible  believing Christians in TEC have been incredibly patient and restrained. It is not at all surprising that this has taken place. In the light of the responses in TEC to the Primates' request, this is totally understandable an arguably ovedue. It has my prayerful and warmest best wishes.'

In the US, however, as word began to leak out, reaction was split. A Guy in the Pew reckons it 'sad news', a development which relieves the pressure on TEC to accept the Primates' demands. But was there ever any realistic expectation they would accept them? Somehow I think not. Brad Drell at Drell's Descants has posted on the story, backing up most of it and pledging to blog later from StandFirm should his server go down, which I fear it already has. Chelmsford Anglican Mainstream is watching it closely, remarking that if borne out by tonight's developments, it is indeed 'sensational'. Peter Ould spells out what it actually means.

Update from David Virtue: Saying that he was baffled by reports that the Diocese of Quincy and the
Diocese of Ft. Worth were seeking immediate Alternative Primatial Oversight Bishop Keith Ackerman said: "I am with the president of the Standing Committee and I am as baffled as anyone about these reports in The London Times and on the conservative blog Stand Firm. Any such announcement or action is premature."

"What I can say I know is that all of us in the Network who have requested APO have to understand what we have all along been asking for (APO) is because the HOB was less than conciliatory. The humor for me is that might lead to that some day. But to even to be talking about this now amazes me."

"If these people have more information than the Bishop of Quincy I would be more than grateful for these people to get in touch with me. I need to have more information than the people putting it out there."

"I am aware that there is much speculation about what Ft. Worth might do but nobody has told me what the outcome of that meeting may be."

"If the communiqué is rejected by the Episcopal House of Bishops, and we have done everything to comply and they do not comply and we as orthodox bishops have complied, we would be doing more than petitioning some primate. I have talked with no one."

Asked about what Ft. Worth might be doing, Ackerman said that what is true is that the Standing Committee and the Diocesan Council have been scheduled to meet today. It is on their calendar.

"They are presently meeting, and may issue a statement later this evening, but I have heard nothing from Bishop Iker to indicate that he is about to make some major announcement without informing me."

Meanwhile, Peter Ould continues: 'For Fort Worth to go for an alternative primate is to prejudge the 30th of September compliance deadline. Given that they are effectively burning their bridges by doing this, why not go for a *major* display of pyrotechnics? And remember, Bob Duncan is an anglo-catholic, but a large part of the ACN are Evangelical to greater or lesser extent. The election of Duncan therefore displayed an orthodox evangelical/anglo-catholic unity. Having Akinola as the Alternate Primate does exactly the same thing - it demonstrates that orthodoxy is the primary consideration, NOT specific churchmanship. It would also be, if I can be so crude, a tremendous one-finger salute to Schori and 815. Having Akinola as Primate would be a massive development and would completely tip the balance of power. If the main Windsor Bishop players pick him as their Primate then the post-Tanzania mood that Akinola was a bit on the outside (as someone close to the ACO hinted to me last week) would be shown to be false. So my money is on Akinola. I can’t say I definitely know for sure it will be him, but I do believe that Ft Worth et al want this is to be as big as possible.'

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Comments

[BETTY]

Trinity would not be the only Fort Worth parish to oppose Bp Iker if he tries to leave the Episcopal Church. There is, at the very least, also St. Martin-in-the-Fields who would definitely want to stay IN the Episcopal Church. http://www.stmartininthefields.org/

[Sarah]

The whole Fort Worth Diocese WILL NOT BE LEAVING THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, at least 1 parish announced by resolution of the vestry that it plans to STAY (Trinity Fort Worth).

Resolution of the Vestry - 05/19/07

The Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church wishes to express its profound disagreement with the actions of the Executive Council taken on May 16, 2007, concerning alternative primatial oversight.

Trinity Episcopal Church, while affirming its place in the Diocese of Ft. Worth and in the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, does not support any search for forming a new Anglican Province. Trinity Episcopal Church does not support transferring to another existing province of the Anglican Communion. Trinity Episcopal Church does not support seeking the status of an extra-provincial diocese. Trinity Episcopal Church affirms the place of the Diocese of Fort Worth in the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America.

This statement can be found at the parish's website
http://www.fortworthtrinity.org/vestry%20response.htm

[Donald Clair]

The property of the Diocese of Fort Worth belongs to the Diocese and not to TEC/ECUSA. The property is Incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas. TEC/ECUSA can't touch them. The property will remain with the Diocese wherever it goes. Bishop Jack Iker in in control and knows full well what he is doing. Many States don't have property laws like Texas and parishes in those states may have trouble retaining their property should they decide to leave. But not in Texas.

[Bill Channon]

PETER C:

I'm not so sure that you're right there. ECUSA has slipped many rungs farther down the ladder away from orthodoxy/traditionalism/, adherence to the authority of the Scriptures, and the uniqueness of Jesus as the one saviour of the world. Pike was one man, Spong is one man, their followers have multiplied since then (and WO) and the Episcopal Church reflects that far, far more.
I think the 'reasserter' bishops will do it sooner or later. If they don't it will only be a matter of time, a dozen retirements, and there won't an orthodox bishop in the Episcopal Church. They'll be an extinct species.

[Peter C.]

This is the exact same thing Fort Worth and the Episcopal Synod of America (now Forward in Faith/North America) were threatening to do ten years ago over women's ordination. They didn't have the stomach for it then, they don't now, and they never will. It will continue to be up to individual parishes to remain Christian as it has become abundantly clear that their bishops will never take any action to do so beyond writing strongly-worded memoranda.

[Bill Street]

Well, the statement from Ft. Worth is out and all it did was reaffirm their desire to seek Alternative Primatial Oversight. They did not announce they were leaving the Episcopal Church although it's obvious from the tone that it's just a matter of time.

[TL]

Why wouldn't Venables be considered?

[Kenneth Simmons]

> Iker can leave TEC any time, but he can't take the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth with him.

Don't be so naive. He's not going anywhere. He'll undoubtedly remain in Fort Worth. He's just dissociating from a schismatic province and likely re-affiliating with another, so as not to leave the global Anglican communion.

[Bill Channon]

"Really stupid move(s) but desperation often reflects "last ditch efforts" and grandstanding is the specialty of this tiny crowd of unhappy Christians who loath their fellows at The Body Of Christ."

Of course this really gives the lie to +Schori and those other ECUSANs who keep referring to the orthodox/reasserter/tradtionalists as a 'tiny disgruntled group of dissenters'. "Stupid moves ... last ditch efforts" ..... says who and why? The largest parishes in the United States have already left. Now 5 dioceses will take with them another few hundred parishes -with or without property.

These people are leaving because there already is a split in the Anglican Communion -it just hasn't been formalized. They are leaving because ECUSA is sliding down a path away from orthodox

Christianity. ECUSA's "new thing" has always been one which makes the assumption that they are right and everyone must follow suit. Must!!! Talk about hubris. ECUSA has "pulled down deep heaven upon themselves" ("That Hideous Strength" by C.S. Lewis).

++Rowan's every effort has been to avert schism. He is failing.

[John 316]

Reading the diocesan statement published at Stand Firm, it appears that they held a meeting in Fort Worth to discuss their options and reaffirm their commitment to eventually getting APO.

[Christopher T. Cantrell+]

Ruth,

Our statement is up on http://apostolicity.blogspot.com.

[Grandmère Mimi]

I doubt that Bishop Katharine takes to heart snubs by Bishop Iker. She has been snubbed many times by the likes of Bishop Iker and seems to remain calm in the face of them.

My major concern is that TEC give immediate oversight to the loyal Episcopalians within the diocese, since Iker will no longer be their bishop, if what you say is true. Iker can leave TEC any time, but he can't take the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth with him.

[William Tighe]

Ms. Gledhill, You can really do better than this. Fort Worth, Quincy and the mysteriously-absent San Joaquin are all FIF/NA dioceses whose bishops (or at least two of the three) are all "impossibilists" on the subject of women's "ordination." So it is simply daft even to suggest that they might be looking for primatial oversight to women-ordainers such Kolini of Rwanda (an Evangelical to boot) or Gomez of the West Indies for primatial oversight. Malango of Cental Africa is the best bet, but here's where you should be looking, and nowhere else:

PROVINCES THAT DO NOT ORDAIN WOMEN TO THE EPISCOPATE, PRIESTHOOD OR DIACONATE:

Central Africa (AC)
Jerusalem and the Middle East (Evo)
Melanesia (AC -- but its Abp., Ellison Pogo, is trying to bring in WO)
Nigeria (Evo)
Papua New Guinea (AC)
Southeast Asia (Evo)

PROVINCES THAT ORDAIN WOMEN ONLY TO THE DIACONATE:

Indian Ocean (I know nothing about this Province)
Southern Cone (Evo)
Congo (Evo - It may now have priestesses, too; I don't know)
Pakistan (Evo)

All things considered, it would most likely be to either Central Africa or Papua New Guinea (a Church Province that explored going "over to Rome" en masse in the late 1970s and early 80s) to which they are looking.

[Leonardo Ricardo]

Really stupid move(s) but desperation often reflects "last ditch efforts" and grandstanding is the specialty of this tiny crowd of unhappy Christians who loath their fellows at The Body Of Christ.

Leave the keys and "we will leave a light burning" as ++Katharine Jefferts Schori suggests as The Episcopal Church WELCOMES YOU (you means you, everyone of YOU) and we will try to "love them anyway" as +V Gene Robinson asks us to do.

[Kurt Hill]

If your sources are correct, this is a blessed day for us non-fundagelical Episcopalians! I say good riddance!

[RAMcClain]

NLNH wrote "All they had to do was bide their time for a few more months." Hello????? Bide their time??? I think the orthodox have finally "bided" all they are going to do, and are sick of being told to wait.
I left TEC for the Anglican Church of Kenya in '04, and frankly, am surprised many have waited this long.

[nlnh]

Yes, Peter, an ENORMOUS snub! Why, I bet KJS will just *scratch* Iker's eyes out! And then she'll leave an ugly message on Akinola's My Space page!

Chuck Blanchard has the interesting question. As a mainstream Episcopalian, I thought that events have been on the side of the schismatics for some time now. All they had to do was bide their time for a few more months. Now, however, they are jumping the gun right and left, putting their allies and potential sympathizers in a very difficult situation and doing everything they can to assure that a split, if it comes, will involve not just TEC but the whole communion.

Dumb move, but hubris does that to people.

[NBS]

I wish I had a nickel (or whatever the English equivalent is) for every time I've read the phrase "doesn't this move place Archbishop Williams in a tough spot?"

It's practically the Daily Office of the Anglican blogosphere.

[William]

Ruth, whats so amazing about it exactly? If I read your article right, all of these parishes and dioceses will remain firmly within the Episcopal Church. The TEC PB Schori has little if any authority over a Diocesan anyway. It appears to be a way to keep all your goodies and say you've left without really leaving.

[Chuck Blanchard]

If true (and I trust you know your sources), I think that this largely ends the debate over the Communique withing the Episcopal Church. I am stunned that the proponents of this move did not wait until September to make this move. Why the quick action now? Doesn't this strengthen the position of the TC among the Primates (outside of the Global South group, of course)? And doesn't this move place Archbishop Williams ia a tough spot?

[Mark]

"(Btw, talking of TEC, I like the longing expressed on the recent Episcope blog, in a reflection on Dr Akinola's recent installation of Martyn Minns, for powers akin to those of the former Kings of England, who shoved dissenters in the Tower and chopped their heads off.)"

Just to be clear, though, Episcope was quoting from a Washington Post op-ed column by conservative Christian Michael Gerson, the former Bush speechwriter who coined the phrase "axis of evil." Maybe both sides dream of head-lopping powers. . .

[John r. Robison]

Let all the poisons the roil in the mud hatch out.
Let them go. Just leave the keys to the property behind. Theft is such an ugly thing, especialy when carried out in Episcopal purple.

[Peter Ould]

This is amazing. What if Iker et al do choose Akinola as the Primate? Given TEC's extreme dislike of CANA it would be an ENORMOUS snub of Schori and the whole of the 815 leadership.