SOUTHERN CONE REPORT OFFERS SUPPORT FOR FAITHFUL EPISCOPALIANS CAUGHT IN REVISIONIST DIOCESES

News Analysis

By David W. Virtue

WEST CHESTER, PA (11/13/12004)--Though couched in diplomatic language, a recent report from the Eighth Synod of the Southern Cone meeting in Santa Cruz, Bolivia made it very clear that this province will continue to offer a safe place for beleaguered orthodox parishes and dioceses in the Anglican Communion that are under siege by revisionist bishops.

At their meeting, leaders of the Synod's reaction to the Windsor report was guardedly positive saying it “provides valuable tools for the church to deal with the rebellious and unilateral actions” of American and Canadian churches.

Several former ECUSA parishes have successfully sought ecclesiastical protection from the Southern Cone Province after leaving the Episcopal Church. Many more are scheduled to follow their lead.

Bishops of the orthodox province were critical of the Windsor Report because it failed to direct liberal churches to the repentance necessary to restore broken communion, as required by the bishop’s pastoral letter earlier in the year. The Synod also requested that the Primates meeting establish structures and limits by which the Communion can assure its future.

The carefully worded report from the Southern Cone indicated that the Windsor Report has the tools needed to hold both the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Church in Canada accountable for its actions.

VirtueOnline has learned that a declaration will shortly be forthcoming from this province.

Present at the meeting in Santa Cruz, which met on the first week of November, was Canon Bill Atwood, General Secretary of Ekklesia, an Anglican organization that liaisons with a number of Primates in the Global South. He was present at the CAPA meeting of all the African Bishops in Lagos recently.

Primate Gregory Venables was reelected to lead and represent the Anglican Church of the Southern Cone for a further period. In addition, he was given unanimous and unqualified support for those responsibilities and consultations related to the Anglican Communion crisis and to ensure that “dioceses, bishops, churches and individuals who remain faithful to the life and testimony” of the Communion receive pastoral care.

Hector “Tito” Zavala continues as the vice chair. The Southern Cone of the Americas includes the seven dioceses of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Northern Argentina, and Uruguay. The Province was formed in 1983.

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