“Support for the Bishop and Provincial Council’s decision”

In case you have not read the January 15, 2008 issue of www.standfirminfaith.com, I suggest you find it and give it a read. I was pleased and gratified to find so many supported my position both from the inside and outside the APA. Is being part of a developing new “Ecclesiastical Structure” in North America (CCP) that no one can predict where it will go and how it will unfold worth dividing the APA? Are we so insignificant as a Church and what we are as Classical Anglicans so passé that some in the CCP would say, if you don’t like what the APA is doing we will take you in? These are important questions to ask. I strongly believe that our Classical Anglican position and witness must remain alive and well. I believe in time as we see what develops with the Anglican Communion and if a counter- Communion is what is required and it remains Anglican in more than name, we will know the way forward.

The decision making process…

There has been a lot of talk over the past months about a vote of the Provincial Synod in July 2008, to join or not join the CCP. There is no canonical process given to affect such a relationship because it would imply a sacramental relationship and that falls under the authority of the Bishop. For example, there was no vote of the Provincial Synod to establish an intercommunion agreement with the REC or to have the Anglican Rite Synod of America (ARSA) or the Anglican Independent Communion (AIC) became part of the APA. These were matters left to the Presiding Bishop and the House of Bishops. Historically, bishops have sought the advice of their clergy and lay leaders realizing how important it is to know the sensum fidelium (sense of the faithful) in shepherding the family of God. This should not be confused with Western Democratic rule where decisions are made by taking a vote. The Bishop knows that the sensum fidelium takes time unlike our present election process in the U.S. where we go through a campaign season and then have an election. The American model most certainly brings conflict to the church because campaigning distracts clergy and laity from their duties of ministry in their parishes and campaigns always separate people. How many grew up in a functional family where your father asked for a vote of the family members before making a major decision? Most of us remember our father making decisions forthe good of the family in his own mind even if the rest of us did not agree. Had your father in the family relied upon others to make a major decision it would have most certainly undermined his authority. The same is true as the Bishop and the House of Bishops are the fathers in our church family. To change this would weaken the Episcopal Office and the duties of the Presiding Bishop and thus alter Catholic theology and practice. There will be a sensum fidelium at our Provincial Synod in July, but it will be the Presiding Bishop and the House of Bishops who will make the decision in this regard and any matter dealing with Inter -church relationships.

“Bringing together the faithful…”

At the end of January, I was invited to attend a meeting of clergy and laity of the Communion of Christ the Redeemer (CCR) in Ocean City, Maryland. The CCR were formerly part of the Charismatic Episcopal Church from which they have departed. This Meeting was hosted by their Diocese of Delmarva and Bishop Richard Lipka. One of the member bishops of CCR, the Rt. Rev. Fred Fick had previously requested reception of his churches and himself in our Diocese of St. Augustine under Bishop Larry Shaver. I invited Bishop Shaver and Archdeacon, Erich Zwingert as our Canonist to attend along with me. We were treated graciously by this wonderful body of Christians, who wish to be Classical Anglicans. We spent the better part of three days with them getting to know the people and during the plenary sessions, answering a series of printed questions. After we left the Meeting, the people had a positive discussion and wish to continue the process hopefully establishing an official intercommunion statement. We praise and thank God for bringing us together with these faithful people who want to be a part of a church that has a strong catholic faith and order in the Anglican Tradition.

Registering for the DEUS and the APA Synods

The on-line registration for the APA Synod to be held July 24, 2008 at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville, Illinois (across the river from St. Louis) is up and running. Space is limited at the hotel on the grounds, so make your registration early. There are off sight hotels available for any overflow. It is a one day Synod but you will need to arrive on July 23 since we will begin early on the 24th. The Synod will last all day, with an evening banquet so do not plan to leave until July 25th.

The on-line registration for the DEUS Synod to be heldthe week of June 2 through June 6, 2008 hosted by St. Paul’s Church, Crownsville, Maryland is now available. If you have any difficulty, please contact Archdeacon Erich Zwingert for help. The Synod will begin at 1:00 PM on Wednesday June 4 and will end at 12:00 Noon on June 6th. We will once again, plan several break-out sessions which I feel will be of interest to you. The subject of these will be announced shortly.

Again, I wish each of you a blessed Lenten Season and a joyous and glorious Easter celebration.

Love and Peace,
+Walter