Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Anglican Futures

There is simply no way that ++Rowan in the remainder of his tenure of office, even if that were for another twenty years, will achieve what reports of his end of Primates' Meeting interview imply, that a series of visits to absentee primates will build bridges, mend bridges across the chasm which yawns - it is getting a bit boring - through the Communion.

Eventually, after fifty to one hunded years we may see rapprochement and reunion. It has happened with the once split three ways Methodists in Britain and with the once split two ways Presbyterians in Scotland. But in the remainder of my lifetime we will not see this chasm overcome. The persistence in belief that 'this (and not that) IS the way of the Lord' on both (or more) sides is simply too strong for hopes to be realistic for an earlier achievement of new unity. (Though, in the Lord, I do not give up hope).

So expect the following for decades to come:

(1) There will be no theological, liturgical or ministry orders issue of concern to the wider Communion which will be engaged with by the Instruments of the Communion.

Deacons presiding at the eucharist? No problem at all. Lay presidency? Go for it.

(2) There will be many statements issued by the Instruments of Communion concerning any issue in the world outside of (1) above.

Whether anyone is listening will not matter.

(3) Global South will become the powerhouse of the Communion: it will represent the majority of all Anglicans around the world; life within Global South will develop with good self-discipline around the decisions it makes about common life; some Anglican dioceses outside Global South will be increasingly drawn to meet with Global South.

It is not as though no Anglicans have anything in common anymore. Those who have the most in common will meet with purpose and make decisions with significance. Future Anglican rapprochment will emerge as the powerhouse of the Communion increases in strength to the point where other Anglicans realise their future also lies with the dominant player. (It is not clear to me that GAFCON has the leadership necessary to develop a healthy Anglicanism for the 21st century. I do not write GAFCON off, but I would invest in Global South rather than GAFCON).

(4) The next Archbishop of Canterbury will be chosen for his or her bureaucratic, managerial skills. Theological acumen and visionary leadership will not be needed by the See of Canterbury for some time to come.

Mercifully for ++Rowan's future reputation, he will be seen as one of the greatest theologians on the throne of St Augustine, and people disappointed at the blandness of his immediate successors will look back wistfully on the intelligence of his writings and sermons.

(5) The zenith of TEC's influence on the life of the Communion is now. Over the next few decades its declining numbers will expose the weakness of the hand it has played: progressive theology is not a theology of renewal of generations in a church. American money will keep the ACO afloat for a while longer, but eventually the financiers will understand that money is going down the drain on meetings of no importance.

ACNA may rise in strength but it needs to find leadership able to build and maintain bridges within its own ranks.  

For us in ACANZP we need to take great care. We face many problems and have some severe structural impediments to resolute engagement with those problems. One such problem is the future viability of St John's College as a college of education and training for the mission of our church. It is not clear as I write that we are going to be able to solve the problem, though some extraordinary effort is going into doing so. For some time to come we will have leaders divided as to whether the 'American' or 'Global South' approaches to being Anglican are best for us. In the end, clarity will emerge!

19 comments:

Kurt said...

“Global South will become the powerhouse of the Communion: it will represent the majority of all Anglicans around the world; life within Global South will develop with good self-discipline around the decisions it makes about common life; some Anglican dioceses outside Global South will be increasingly drawn to meet with Global South.”—Fr. Peter Carrell

I think it far more likely, Peter, that the Global South will tear itself apart through tribal, ethnic and religious warfare, as the New World [Dis] Order of unregulated capitalist greed accelerates. This will be compounded by the effects of global warming, increasing competition for food and water, and other factors will have their greatest impacts on the Third World. Powerhouse of the Communion? More likely the charnel house of the Communion.

Kurt Hill
Brooklyn, NY

Peter Carrell said...

If you are right Kurt, then I am wrong!

Kurt said...

Well, Peter, we can always hope (and pray) for the best. Unfortunately every intelligence projection I have read in the past few years is not optimistic for the Global South.

Kurt Hill
Brooklyn, NY

Kurt said...

Well, Peter, we can always hope (and pray) for the best. Unfortunately every intelligence projection I have read in the past few years is not optimistic for the Global South.

Kurt Hill
Brooklyn, NY

Andy S said...

Kurt perhaps you ought to review
<a href=">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+24&version=KJV> Matthew Chapter 24</a>

We live in a fallen world, not paradise - its hard for most.

The privileged of North America, and New Zealand think (foolishly) that we can create paradise on earth if only this Government policy or that United Nations initiative can be put into practice.

Indeed they think mankind can be remade by anti discrimination laws and bowing down to multiculturalism.

Its been tried in the Soviet Union and all that happened is millions died and the people got poorer.

Because there is only one road to salvation, Our Lord Jesus Christ and only he can remake man and this happens on an individual basis not collectively.

<i>Unfortunately every intelligence projection I have read in the past few years is not optimistic for the Global South.</i>

Beware the false prophets Kurt

Brother David said...

So is that your justification for doing nothing Andy, it is a fallen world and what will be will be? I guess that certainly is one Gospel. Perhaps that is the one Little Stone Bridges keeps harping about.

The Gospel I know, the one that I live, is the one that calls me, as one redeemed in Christ, who is my Savior, to participate in the in-breaking of the Realm of God, one called to answer the Prophet's call with Christ of the bringing of the Good News of God's Commonwealth, sight to the blind, freedom to captives, food, clothing and unconditional lovingkindness to the poor, the orphaned & widowed and the imprisoned. That is what we who are despised for his sake by the Global South are about, we, the called remnant, doing to others as we also would have done for us.

Which is what the primates also intend to be about;

The Primates:
- give leadership and support as the Communion lives out the Marks of Mission
• To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
• To teach, baptize and nurture new believers
• To respond to human need by loving service
• To seek to transform unjust structures of society
• To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth

There is nothing greater to be about than to answer the call of Christ! Without regard to whether you are part of the overwhelming majority.

Anonymous said...

So is that your justification for doing nothing Andy, it is a fallen world and what will be will be?

Who says I propose doing nothing David.

When I go to Church along the way I see the marginalized even in this wealthy country and I know there are many who hide themselves away - there being no place for them in our culture.

I also see when attending coffee after a Church service little cliques amongst the parishioners and the wallflowers who nobody takes the time to do more than pass the time of day with - the sixty year old schizophrenic sitting alone with her cup of tea and gingernut. And there are a few, a very tiny minority who will go up to her and speak with her but the vast majority don't give her the time of day and never have. Look right through her in fact.

She needs things and sometimes one of the few pick up on a need and address it - quietly nobody knows but her, her benefactors and God.

And this is the way we are supposed to do it - not beat our own trumpets and certainly not to agitate to get the Government to do it for us.

And for the next seven days, until next Sunday she will see no one - she wont leave here house except to scuttle to the supermarket to buy her weetbix and noodles, tea and milk.

And as for the Gay lobby in the Church - Gays in the Western World are not marginalized, they are often wealthy and powerful with a soap box and when I see Church getting involved in Gay activism whilst ignoring the old and mentally ill who surround us but for the most part remain invisible I know it is not a thing coming from God but men's hubris and self centered self absorption.

Anonymous said...

RE: "Powerhouse of the Communion? More likely the charnel house of the Communion."

Interesting -- for I think it quite possible to be both. Suffering and poverty often bring the two together.

RE: "Perhaps that is the one Little Stone Bridges keeps harping about."

Now now, you've just got to stop giving me those little love taps, HD -- people might think you've not able to stop thinking about me, not able to stop talking about me, not able to even just ignore me.

Surely you don't want to further inflate my self esteem!

RE: "That is what we who are despised for his sake by the Global South are about . . . "

The drama is slathered on a little thick there.

I don't think anyone despises revisionists -- just their faulty thinking and false ideas.

RE: "Without regard to whether you are part of the overwhelming majority."

Now there we agree -- sweet unity again!


Sarah

Peter Carrell said...

Hi Anonymous-recently-posting-here-without-a-name

Please supply a name - since I suspect you have already commented on this thread as 'Andy S' I have published this comment as a matter of grace. But names are ordinarily required.

Brother David said...

No one can forget you my dear, you write some of the most long winded comments on Peter's blog. You, Bryan and Brydan are probably in a dead heat for word count of late.

Andy S said...

Apologies Peter - It was an oversight that I didn't sign that last comment of mine. I think the context to some extent identifies me.

Thanks for your leniency

Anonymous said...

RE: "No one can forget you . . . "

Well I guess that explains it, if you say so. Who would have guessed it, though?

RE: "some of the most long winded comments on Peter's blog . . . "

Yes, it's frustrating for revisionists over here, I know.


Sarah

Kurt said...

“The privileged of North America, and New Zealand think (foolishly) that we can create paradise on earth if only this Government policy or that United Nations initiative can be put into practice. Indeed they think mankind can be remade by anti discrimination laws and bowing down to multiculturalism.”—Andy S.

To promote basic civil and human rights, Andy, is not an attempt to create “paradise on earth”! It is elementary justice!! Christians, of all people, should understand this!!!

Fr. Carrell, and others believe (mistakenly, but honestly, I think) that Global South Countries offer the way forward for world Anglicanism. Others, who comment here, like David, Fr. Ron Smith, Fr. Bosco Peters and me, do not think that conservative, misogynist and homophobic evangelicalism is any way forward. The two positions are now being tested in life in Uganda:
http://www.episcopal-life.org/80050_126792_ENG_HTM.htm

The recent murder—martyrdom—of David Kato is opening a new dimension to the conflict between the self-styled Global South provinces and the rest of the Anglican Communion. This heinous crime has demonstrated, in bloody deed, that the words of the Global South primates do indeed have consequences. The response of the official Anglican Church in Uganda to this murder is reprehensible behavior!

It’s only been a week since this tragedy, and already outrage is building here in America among Episcopalians and others. In the Internet Age, word travels fast, allowing people to mobilize faster than at any time in history. Some have urged that Kato be added to the Calendar of Saints. I hear rumblings now from clergy here in NYC that we (TEC) should recognize Bishop Christopher Senyonjo and his followers—in the same way that Global South primates have recognized deposed TEC bishops like Iker and Schofield. It’s being argued that any monies sent to Uganda by TEC should be channeled through Bishop Senyonjo and his people. People here are saying: “Enough is enough!” And, after the cross-boarder raids by Uganda and others—which began even before the consecration of Bishop Robinson—who can, with any integrity, condemn TEC for doing likewise? The Episcopal Church of Uganda may be being born right before our eyes. It already has its first martyr and saint.


Kurt Hill
Brooklyn, NY

Peter Carrell said...

Hi Kurt,
You are tarring quite a few Anglicans of varying shades of types of Anglican, who express a diverse range of attitudes to issues of our day, with one brush dipped into the pot "conservative, misogynist and homophobic evangelicalism." Are there no anglo-catholics in Global South!?

I think it would be an excellent idea for TEC to make a saint of David Kato having discerned him as a martyr. This would vivdly express the theological acumen of TEC's hierarchy. Establishing an Episcopal Church of Uganda would also assist Anglicans in that country who feel disenfranchised by the leadership of the Anglican church there.

Andy S said...

To promote basic civil and human rights, Andy, is not an attempt to create “paradise on earth”! It is elementary justice!! Christians, of all people, should understand this!!!

Of course Kurt

"One Death is a tragedy, a million deaths a statistic"
      Joesph Stalin

According to the Ugandan the tragic death of David Kato was at the hands of his driver one Arnold Ssenoga, arrested and an accomplice still at large with robbery being the motive.

This is not an unusual crime in Kampala, a violent city in a third world country where such things happen on a daily basis there unremarked by the outside world.

It is the Gay narrative which sees this story in distorted form gain a wider attention.

Meanwhile in your own city of New York how many have died violent deaths so far this year Kurt un-remarked.

And approximately sixty homeless citizens of your own NYC have died alone during last three chilly months - a few even in Brooklyn.

We have our own horrors here; infants tortured to death by their extended families, I'm not sure the number so far this year but several.

I could list a whole litany of ghastliness and cruelty, women and children trafficked in Europe for sex slavery, crucification of Christians in the Sudan, and so forth.

We pray for this broken world to be healed, we spread the gospel and try to live it. And try and get people to see that sex trafficking, murder, and gay bashing etc is against God's will. And some of it takes. Countries with a long Christian heritage tend to be far more humane than those without it.

And when vandals break the old women next doors window we replace it for her because we can't fix Kampala or the homeless of NYC, but a broken kitchen window is within our power to put right.

Anonymous said...

RE: "It’s only been a week since this tragedy, and already outrage is building here in America among Episcopalians and others."

Hah hah.

Actually, it was less than a day when revisionists TECans decided to use the death of this man for their own gain, just as liberals in the US decided to try to blame talk radio for the killings in Arizona by a crazy Marx-loving loon who didn't even bother to vote. There was -- predictably -- a backlash against such grotesque and vulture-like picking at the bones of dead people and there has been just such a reaction among Episcopalians regarding the ghastly use of David Kato's death as well.

Really -- how incredibly depraved is it to pounce on a dead body like carrion and drag it through the streets figuratively in support of your own ideology?

One of the more repulsive displays from the Episcopal left, particularly when both initial and later reports make it rather highly likely that Mr. Kato was not killed because of his ideology at all.

Honestly, if I were to be murdered I'd certainly hope that my conservative friends would not loudly denounce the "hate speech" from the Episcopal left. I hope they'd never dare to use my death in service of their cause in such a calculating and callous manner.

Having failed to gain traction here in TECusa except amongst the predictable leftist activists [the rest of us have just calmly waited for evidence, while observing the appalling behavior of the leftists], they now attempt to export it to other Provinces.

My prediction -- they'll look foolish again.

Why not be smart? Why not wait until you actually have some shred of evidence that David Kato was killed by people who hated his ideology? . . . Oh yes -- because there's that little fear that . . . he really wasn't killed for that reason. Can't let a dead body go to waste, huh?

Sick. Seriously mentally ill behavior.

The moment that there is actual real evidence that this man was killed by people because of his ideology is the day that Uganda will issue an appropriate statement concerning his death. And -- hopefully -- not a moment sooner. We'll just all observe the lashings of rhetoric from the users of Mr. Kato's death in revulsed wonder.


Sarah

Peter Carrell said...

Hi Folks,
The point is now made on this thread that the murder of David Kato in Uganda is not proven to be ideological at base.

I would prefer comments to focus on Anglican futures.

If and when some definitive evidence - one way or the other - emerges about the background to the murder, then may be some further discussion is appropriate.

Brother David said...

Returning to Anglican Futures, Peter I think that you are off with #4. For some time the CoE has been alternating with Evangelical and Catholic ABCs. The next would be slated to be an Evangelical, so I seriously doubt he would be chosen for bureaucratic and managerial skills. He, and I do mean he, will likely be similar to Tom Wright.

Peter Carrell said...

Hi David,
There is something in what you say re alternating theological identities for ABCs, although that alternating is a recent thing, beginning with Coggan (Runcie, Carey, Williams).

My response to your assertion is this: 'there is no evangelical bishop in the C of E today [noting that +Tom is an academic in Scotland these days] who is both likely to be considered as ABC and who is not a manager/bureaucrat.'

An exception to my prediction, arguably, is ++Sentamu, Archbishop of York. But he may be deemed too old to be considered. Of course there may be an evangelical equivalent to ++Rowan, a brilliant theologian, who will be announced on Monday as the Bishop of X, all nicely timed to succeed ++Rowan. But, again, I am unaware who that theologian might be ...