AMIA HALES "COMMON CAUSE" WITH OTHER ANGLICAN ORTHODOX GROUPS

By Jay L. Greener

The Anglican Mission in America, in tandem with five other groups, is today announcing an unprecedented level of cooperation among leading orthodox Anglican entities in the United States.

In a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury leaders of the Anglican Mission (AMiA), along with the leadership of the Anglican Communion Network (ACN), Reformed Episcopal Church (REC), Forward in Faith North America (FIFNA), Anglican Province in America (APA) and the American Anglican Council (AAC) affirmed a commitment "to make common cause for the gospel of Jesus Christ and common cause for a united, missionary and orthodox Anglicanism in North America."

The Rt. Rev. Chuck Murphy, Chairman of the Anglican Mission in America, welcomed the new day of cooperation, "Even as we watch with some sadness the painful yet necessary realignment in the Anglican Communion, I am encouraged by the willingness of a growing number of orthodox groups and voices to work together to shape a new Anglican witness for the 21st Century."

Bishop Bob Duncan of Pittsburgh, who serves as moderator for the Anglican network (ACN), will chair this new cooperative alliance. "To see orthodox Anglican groups move from competition and divisiveness to cooperation signifies a new season in the life of the Church," observed Bishop Duncan. "This is not a declaration of organic unity—far from it—but it is a proclamation that we can function as allies in the cause of Jesus Christ."

Orthodox leaders are coming together in the face of a growing crisis within the Episcopal Church USA and the importance of working cooperatively for creative solutions to fulfill the mission of the Church.

"For the Anglican Mission, our focus will continue to be on the call we have been given to plant and strengthen congregations and reach out to the un-churched," stated the Rev. Jay Greener, AMiA's Communications Officer. "This is not a merger—each group will remain distinct. But there is a new level of cooperation and mutual appreciation that is honouring to the gospel, and consistent with the missionary values of the AMiA. We look forward to participating in this important 'roundtable' of orthodox Anglican groups."

Jay L. Greener, Communications Officer The Anglican Mission in America 719-487-3258 jay@anglicanmissioninamerica.org