Ghost of a flea: Bring it

June 30, 2008

Bring it

Three hundred bishops and archbishops meeting at the Global Anglican Future Conference at Jerusalem have declared their intention to form a “church within a church”. While gay marriage is a central issue of concern to those dissenting from the Canterbury line, this Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans is more than a single-issue protest and will have its own bishops, clergy and theological colleges. Long time Flea-readers will know I have no objection to same sex unions but share a robust contempt not only for the current Archdruid of Canterbury but for the entire crumbling edifice of hypocrisy, apology and weakness he represents. I am delighted to see a return to a proper Book of Common Prayer - shades of Pope Benedict and traditional mass - and can only hope for an old fashioned, militant Anglicanism. The world is in great need of moral clarity, an unapologetic defense of civilization and, if necessary, a sword.

In a statement last night they challenged the role of the archbishop as primus inter pares of the bishops of the Anglican communion. “While acknowledging the nature of Canterbury as an historic see, we do not accept that Anglican identity is determined necessarily through recognition by the Archbishop of Canterbury,” it said.

The new fellowship will return to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and the 39 articles of religion, train its own priests and insist on more orthodox practices in its churches. Although the instigators claim they are focused on reform from within it is said to represent the worst blow to church unity in the West since the Protestant reformation of the 16th century.

Central to the announcement was a “Jerusalem declaration”, which will form the basis of the new fellowship. In the declaration the archbishops and bishops said: “We reject the authority of those churches and leaders who have denied the orthodox faith in word or deed.” It accused the leaders of the Episcopal Church of the United States and the Anglican Church of Canada of proclaiming a “false gospel”.

Related: "I don't know of a Christian today who literally interprets the warfare imagery in the Bible." I must be the exception (via Five Feet of Fury).

Posted by Ghost of a flea at June 30, 2008 07:23 AM

Comments

I would enjoy a return to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

I wonder if any Canadian congregations are going to go all schismatic too.

Posted by: Chris Taylor at June 30, 2008 05:20 PM