Title: The Diocese
1(No Transcript)
2Diocese of Texas Vision
- We are One Church of Miraculous Expectation,
empowered by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, called
to be a diverse worshiping community of
missionaries reaching out and transforming lives. -
3- The Lambeth Commissions
- Windsor Report
4The Archbishops Mandate
- 1. To examine and report on the legal and
theological implications flowing from election
of Gene Robinson Diocese of New Westminster
authorization of services for use in connection
with same sex unions. Specifically - On the canonical understandings of communion,
impaired and broken communion - The ways provinces may relate to one another in
situations where the ecclesiastical authorities
of one province feel unable to maintain the
fullness of communion with another
5Archbishops Mandate cont.
- To include practical recommendations for
maintaining the highest degree of communion - Including reflection on emerging patterns of
provision for Episcopal oversight for those
Anglicans within a particular jurisdiction, where
full communion within a province is under threat - Both within and between the churches of the
Anglican Communion
6Archbishops Mandate cont.
- To make recommendations to the Primates and the
Anglican Consultative Council, as to the
exceptional circumstances and conditions under
which, and the means by which, it would be
appropriate for the Archbishop of Canterbury to
exercise - an extraordinary ministry of episcope (pastoral
oversight) - support and reconciliation
- with regard to the internal affairs of a
province other than his own for the sake of
maintaining communion
7Archbishops Mandate cont.
- 4. In its deliberations, to take due account of
the work already undertaken on issues of
communion by - The Lambeth Conferences of 1988 and 1998
- As well as the views expressed by the Primates of
the Anglican Communion in the communiqués and
pastoral letters arising from their meetings
since 2000.
8Archbishop Robin EamesPrimate of All Ireland
- I can tell you that the work I have been
privileged to lead in the Lambeth Commission has
been a pilgrimage in its truest sense. We came
together representing many nations, representing
all the so called conservative and liberal
stand-points and representing many different
attitudes to the call of the Church. Some told us
we would never complete our task, that we would
not agree and that we would never be able to
present one Report on which we could all agree. - The recommendations in the Report has the
support of all members of the Commission. All the
well-known arguments were placed on the table.
There was no shirking of issues. I saw courage
and openness in those discussions but I also saw
vision and a love for the Anglican tradition. - Oct 12, 2004
- presidential address to Armagh Diocesan Synod
9The Windsor Report States
- The Communion we enjoy as Anglicans involves a
sharing in bonds of affection - Mutual Relationships
- Communion makes demands upon all within it
10The Windsor Report States
- The historic position of the Archbishop of
Canterbury should be regarded as the central
focus of both unity and mission within the
Communion - The Archbishop has the power to call or not to
call to the Communion gatherings whomsoever he
believes is appropriate in order to safeguard,
and take counsel, for, the well-being of the
Anglican Communion
11The Windsor Report States
- The Primates Meeting, the Lambeth Conference,
the Anglican Consultative Council are the
instruments of communion - Further work is necessary on the relationship
between those Instruments of Unity
12The Windsor Report Recommends
- That consideration be given by the Archbishop of
Canterbury to the establishment of a Council of
Advice - The adoption of a Common Anglican Covenant which
would make explicit and forceful the loyalty and
bonds of affection which govern the relationships
between the church of the Communion
13The Windsor Report States
- The Episcopal Church ECUSA has breached the
core unity in consecrating a non-celibate gay man
as a bishop in the Church - ECUSA has breached the core unity in recognizing
the blessing of same sex unions as part of its
common life
14The Windsor Report Recommends
- Regret is expressed in the report for the
decisions and actions of the ECUSA and requests
the Episcopal Church to respond - Expressing regret for breaching the bonds of the
world-wide Anglican communion - Pending such expression of regret, each bishop
who had a role in Bishop Robinson's consecration
to withdraw themselves from any further
involvement in organizations of the Anglican
Communion - Declare a moratorium on any other elections of
gay or lesbian clergy
15ECUSA Recommendations cont.
- The bishops of ECUSA cease any further
development of any and all rites or permissions
for the blessings of same sex union - Thought be given in future elections regarding
candidates for the episcopate and their
relationship with the global communion
16The Windsor Report Recommends
- Bishops not cross geographical boundaries with
the Anglican Communion for any reason - That each diocese within ECUSA to work out their
differences - theological and pastoral - without
the help or interference of other bishops
17The Windsor Report Confirms
- The report also confirms the stated teaching of
the Anglican Communion with respect to human
sexuality - Upholding faithful marriage and abstinence as the
only two expressions of personal sexuality - Listening to the voices of the homosexual members
of the Church - Rejecting homosexual practice as incompatible
with Scripture
18Closing Words from the Report
- "We earnestly hope that none of these will prove
necessary. Our aim throughout has been to work
not for division but for healing and restoration.
The real challenge of the gospel is whether we
live deeply enough in the love of Christ, and
care sufficiently for our joint work to bring
that love to the world, that we will 'make every
effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.' Ephesians 43" As the primates
stated in 2000, 'to turn from one another would
be to turn away from the Cross', and indeed from
serving the world which God loves and for which
Jesus Christ died."
19Remember
- The Commission consisted of individuals from the
global communion with a diversity of world views - There was no dissenting report
- Everyone on the commission signed the report
20What is Next?
- The Windsor Report was a recommendation
- February 20-26, 2005 The Primates of the
Anglican Communion meet in Newcastle, County
Down, Some 30 miles south of Belfast, Northern
Ireland. It will be the first formal time the
Primates world wide will deliberate together on
the report's recommendations. - June 18-29, 2005 The Anglican Consultative
Council will meet in Nottingham, England.
Recommendations from the Primates meeting could
be implemented at this meeting.
21In the Wake of the Report
- The report was received with varying degrees of
approval and disapproval - We have been urged by the members of the
commission, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and a
number of other primates, we must proceed
cautiously - The Bishop has asked that we read the full report
and not rely upon pundits or media to tell us
what it says
22What Does This Mean To Us?
- Our Bishops are asked, as are the bishops world
wide, to be sensitive to the Windsor Report and
to consider their preliminary recommendations. - Our Bishops are called to seek ways of
reconciliation, and to heal divisions. - Intervening provinces and dioceses across the
Communion are called to approach the document and
our relationships with one another with respect. - All provinces throughout the Communion are
expected to respond with generosity and charity
to any such actions.
23What Does This Mean For ECUSA Bishops?
- For those Bishops who did not consent to the
election and consecration, it means that they
will no doubt continue to be recognized within
the larger Anglican Communion at this time, and
not be affected by impaired communion status. - Bishop MacPherson of Western Louisiana, will
convene the bishops of Province VII to address
the Windsor Report in preparation for a meeting
of the entire House of Bishops. - The entire House of Bishops will assemble in Salt
Lake City, Utah on January 12 and 13 to discuss
the Report and prayerfully to explore the
responsive action to be taken by the bishops in
question.
24What Will Come Out Of This?
- This is unknown at this point.
- Though we must take seriously the reports
recommendations. - As the Lambeth Commission reports"There remains
a very real danger that we will not choose to
walk together. Should the call to halt and find
ways of continuing in our present communion not
be heeded, then we shall have to begin to learn
to walk apart. We would much rather not speculate
on actions that might need to be taken if, after
acceptance by the primates, our recommendations
are not implemented."
25What must we do?
- We must not be distracted by the media that
surrounds us - We must not allow ourselves to lose sight of the
mission to which God has called us - We must continue to go forward as disciples of
the Gospel, lifting up the truth of a risen,
living Christ - We must continue faithfully in our ministry
wherever the Spirit of God leads us
26The Diocese of Texas
- We are One Church
- We live in Miraculous Expectation,
- We are empowered by the Gospel of Jesus Christ
- We are called to be a diverse worshiping
community of missionaries - We are reaching out and transforming lives.
27Ephesians 2 13-22
- 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far
off have been brought near by the blood of
Christ.14 For he is our peace in his flesh he
has made both groups into one and has broken down
the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between
us. 15He has abolished the law with its
commandments and ordinances, that he might create
in himself one new humanity in place of the two,
thus making peace, 16and might reconcile both
groups to God in one body through the cross, thus
putting to death that hostility through it.
28Ephesians cont.
- 17So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were
far off and peace to those who were near 18for
through him both of us have access in one Spirit
to the Father. 19So then you are no longer
strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with
the saints and also members of the household of
God, 20built upon the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the
cornerstone. 21In him the whole structure is
joined together and grows into a holy temple in
the Lord 22in whom you also are built together
spiritually into a dwelling place for God.