Primate has been suspended from decision-making, but has not been expelled
OTTAWA (CCN)
The suspension Jan. 15 of the Episcopal Church by the primates of the Anglican Communion for devising a same-sex marriage canon has implications for Anglicans.
The Anglican Church of Canada is examining a change in its marriage canon to be debated in its synod this July. Anglican primates from the Global Anglican Future Conference wanted the Anglican Church of Canada also to be sanctioned for “unilaterally permitting the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of those in active homosexual relationships.”
While the Episcopal primate has been suspended from decision-making and from some participation, he has not been expelled from the Anglican Communion which, according to the primates’ statement, is determined “to walk together, however painful this is, and despite our differences, as a deep expression of our unity in the body of Christ.”
For now, the move forestalls schism in the Anglican Communion centred in Canterbury, England, where the primates’ meetings occurred.
The conservative Anglican Primates of the Global Anglican Future Conference wanted the sanction to include sharper rebuke and a call for repentance. Many bishops from the global south had threatened to walk out of the meetings.
Bishop Donald Bolen of Saskatoon, the Catholic co-chairman of the Anglican – Roman Catholic Dialogue of Canada, said in an email he was “grateful the final statement of the primates’ meeting reiterated a desire of the Anglican provinces to continue to walk together.”
As a Catholic involved in ecumenical relations, Bishop Bolen said, “I see it as a good sign that the communion takes it seriously when ‘unilateral decisions on matters of doctrine and polity are taken that threaten our unity.'”
Bishop Bolen noted the sanctions on the TEC “are a way of saying the action of a particular province is impairing the Communion.”
“No sanction was placed on the Anglican Church of Canada, presumably because its discernment is still ongoing. In that regard, I found it hopeful the Anglican Church of Canada invited a contribution to their internal discernment on their marriage canon from the Canadian Anglican – Roman Catholic dialogue.”
