CANADA: FIFTH ANGLICAN PRIMATE JOINS ALLIANCE OF INTERNATIONAL ARCHBISHOPS

By Paul Carter

A fifth Anglican Primate has joined an alliance of International Archbishops that has extended an offer of "temporary adequate Episcopal oversight" to churches in Canada. The Most Rev. Benjamin Nzimbi, Archbishop of Kenya, indicated his desire to assist the alliance that already includes the Primates of Central Africa, Congo, Rwanda and South East Asia. The offer of "temporary adequate Episcopal oversight" was recently made to congregations and clergy that could not, because of religious conscience, support the decision of the Diocese of New Westminster to bless same-sex unions.

The diocese's unilateral, divisive and unprecedented move, taken in 2002, was denounced throughout the Anglican Communion as contrary to Scripture, Christian tradition over 2000 years and the clear wishes of the Bishops of the Anglican Communion.

Since that time, the churches and clergy who would not support the diocese's unbiblical action have been in a state of impaired communion with their bishop and have faced threats of action against them and their parishes. Many Anglican leaders, including two successive Archbishops of Canterbury, have issued statements against the Diocese of New Westminster and in support of these churches. The congregations and clergy who accept the offer will now have the covering and oversight of five Anglican Primates and a valid connection to the rest of the Anglican Communion.

The offer of "temporary adequate Episcopal oversight" is made as a positive step forward in dealing with the crisis in the Canadian church as the Anglican Communion deals with issues of realignment around the globe.

The Rev. Paul Carter is vicar of Immanuel Church, Westside in Vancouver, BC and is active with the ACINW.