STATEMENT ON THE MARCH HOUSE OF BISHOPS MEETING
BARRY R. HOWE
The meeting of the House of Bishops in March was the best I have ever attended during the time of my episcopate. It was characterized by dignity and concern for all, and by a strong sense of unity in the midst of differing opinions and concerns.
We spent a great deal of time sharing in the ways in which our mission as a church might find new strength as we seek to serve the Lord’s will. It was with awe and thanksgiving that we heard from one another about the good work that is being done in congregations and dioceses everywhere—work that addresses basic needs in local, regional, and international settings. And we were challenged by expert speakers in understanding a basic theology for our mission work, and in working for environmental stability.
The Communique from the Primates’ Meeting in Tanzania was the subject of much discussion and ultimate action. In our discussion, we recognized that what has been the basic understanding of the relationship of the churches in the Anglican Communion is being replaced by a new understanding. From the mid-nineteenth century, the Anglican Communion has always been understood as a group of autonomous churches who worship in the Anglican tradition, whose polity is built around the episcopate and local expressions of community, and who seek to work together in growing mission work throughout the world. It has been a mission-driven alliance under the spiritual leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury. In the past decade, a new understanding of the Anglican Communion seems to be developing which seeks to be structural in the alliance of the churches. The structure appears to be one where authority is becoming centralized, and where creedal formulas and covenants are being proposed. This is a radical shift in the relationship of thirty-nine autonomous churches.
This shift is very evident in the Communique. And our response indicates our deep concern about these changes. We were very clear that we wish to remain a vital part of the Anglican Communion, and will strive to do so, most especially in continuing to be mission partners with our sister churches. We were also certain that we would take part in the creation of a covenant among the churches—one that all the churches could support. But we could not accept the directives from the Primates that would not be compatible with our own polity and canons. In particular, the Primates’ pastoral scheme for appointing a Primatial Vicar for congregations and dioceses not willing to accept the ministry of the Presiding Bishop would violate the principles of autonomy, change the Windsor process which has been set up for participating together, and create a precedent that would have far-reaching implications for further challenges that arise in the Communion. The Primates simply have never been given the authority to make such demands upon any of the churches in the Communion. Our response was made with grace and without rancor, and noted that since the General Convention of 2003, we have responded in good faith to all the requests we have received from our Anglican partners.
The issues that threaten the basic understanding of the Anglican Communion and the relationships of the member churches have much to do with power shifts, with cultural differences made evident by globalization, and with the rise of a new fundamentalism which is occurring throughout the world. While the issue of sexuality has become a flash-point for some, it is only so within the dynamics of these larger issues.
I believe that the bishops acted very wisely, and with a strong sense of unity. I also believe that most of us are ready and eager to continue to be full partners in the Anglican Communion, and have urged our Executive Council and the House of Deputies of General Convention to express this same eagerness. In all things we made the affirmation that our attention would be focused on the essence of Christ’s own mission in the world.