BISHOPS REPUDIATE IRREGULAR OHIO CONFIRMATIONS

By Jan Nunley,

Episcopal News Service

Saying that they “repudiate and deplore the unilateral actions” of five retired U.S. bishops who conducted confirmations in Ohio without the diocesan bishop’s permission, the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops declined to proceed with disciplinary action—for now. The vote on the resolution was unanimous.

Retired bishops FitzSimons Allison, Maurice Benitez, William Cox, Alex Dickson, and William Wantland confirmed 110 individuals from five congregations and celebrated Eucharist on March 14 in Akron—without the knowledge or permission of Bishop J. Clark Grew II of Ohio. They were joined by Bishop Robinson Cavalcanti of Recife, Brazil.

The House of Bishops stated:

“In so doing [they] used the sacrament of unity in Christ as an instrument of division and defiance. Secretive in its planning, their action was discourteous, disruptive and a willful violation of our Constitution and Canons.”

Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold, Bishop Grew, bishop-elect Mark Hollingsworth Jr., and the Presiding Bishop’s Council of Advice issued strong rebukes. The Primate of Brazil confirmed Cavalcanti violated Brazilian canons and promised disciplinary review.

No discipline—for now—but the House warned:

“In the future any bishop performing Episcopal acts without the permission of the diocesan bishop will be subject to discipline under our canons.”

The bishops urged dissenters to “share their views directly with their bishops” and pointed to the newly endorsed Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight plan as the proper path forward.

CRISIS IN THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION

By The Rev. Dr. Andrew Goddard

This coming year will likely prove decisive for the future of worldwide Anglicanism. Attention has shifted from disputes over homosexuality to deeper questions: What is the Anglican Communion—and how must it change to survive?

The crisis arises because one diocese (New Westminster, Canada) and one province (ECUSA) have taken actions violating the mind of the wider Communion—and, many believe, Scripture itself—without consultation or restraint.

Is This Really Novel?

Three key differences from past controversies (e.g., women’s ordination):

1. Theological: Lambeth 1998 declared homosexual practice “incompatible with Scripture”—a far stronger position than the “inconclusive” stance on women’s ordination.

2. Procedural: Past innovations followed consultation (e.g., ACC 1971); ECUSA acted unilaterally despite explicit Primates’ warnings.

3. Political: Provinces are now declaring impaired or broken communion with ECUSA—something largely avoided during the women’s ordination debate.

As Bishop Peter Selby noted:

“The language used to justify bypassing the Anglican Communion sounds not that different from the language used to justify the U.S. invasion of Iraq without waiting for the UN Security Council.”

ECUSA Schism?

The Primates have called for “adequate episcopal oversight” for dissenting minorities—but ECUSA’s leadership has largely refused. Many Global South Primates now question whether ECUSA’s claims to autonomy outweigh accountability to the Communion.

The emerging Network of Anglican Communion Dioceses and Parishes may offer a canonical alternative: remaining Anglican, orthodox, and globally connected—without recognizing ECUSA’s innovations.

Whither the Communion?

The instruments of unity (Archbishop of Canterbury, Primates, Lambeth, ACC) face existential pressure. Proposals include:

• “Observer status” for provinces acting contrary to Communion teaching

• Greater primatial authority in emergencies

• Structural reforms to prevent further fragmentation

Invitations to global meetings are not legal rights—they are at the Archbishop’s discretion. Institutional innovation may be necessary to preserve theological coherence.

What About the Church of England?

Archbishop Rowan Williams has consistently upheld Lambeth I.10. The Church of England now faces a stark choice:

• Side with ECUSA (and risk global fracture), or

• Uphold Communion teaching (and face domestic division)

The real issue is not “diversity” but whether mutual accountability and scriptural faithfulness can be maintained. If not, “mere anarchy is loosed upon the world”—and the centre may not hold.

“The best lack all conviction, while the worst / Are full of passionate intensity.” — W. B. Yeats, The Second Coming