DENIAL OVER FOR GRISWOLD… NO FUDGE LAMBETH COMMISSION REPORT… ECUSA NEWS

“Those made alive by the Spirit grounded in sacred scripture come to these times confidently.” — Methodist theologian Thomas Oden

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Panic, or perhaps the realization that the days of denial are over, has finally dawned on Frank Griswold, the Episcopal Church’s Presiding Bishop. Confirmed reports say that Griswold is flying to London tomorrow to consult Archbishop Rowan Williams over the looming crisis. While he is scheduled to preach at St. Paul’s next Sunday, there can be little doubt that he will be talking at length with Dr. Williams about the consequences for himself personally of the Lambeth/Eames Commission report.

Two stories—one written by your scribe about the Lambeth Commission and another by Ruth Gledhill of The London Times—document the inside story, and it does not make for pleasant reading for ECUSA’s pansexualists.

The plain facts are that the Lambeth/Eames Commission report will not be an Anglican fudge. The report is going to have teeth; it will be disastrous for the Anglican Communion’s pansexualists. There will be some kind of formal suspension of The Episcopal Church, following which there will be a radical restructuring of the Anglican Communion that could see the dissolution of the Anglican Communion Office in London because of its ultra-liberal pro-Western stance.

The Queen has apparently made it clear to Dr. Williams that she will not permit the breakup of the Anglican Communion over the gay issue, and that Williams must do everything to see that the orthodox are not penalized for their views, sources in London told Virtuosity. Clearly the Primate of Nigeria, Peter Akinola, is not to be trifled with. At the end of the day he might have more power than Dr. Williams. He can galvanize 50 million African Anglicans. Williams cannot.

And to add to the pyrotechnics of the whole situation, Primate Henry Orombi of Uganda will consecrate Sandy Millar of Holy Trinity, Brompton, as “Bishop in Mission” to serve in London to look after the Alpha churches.

The Rev. Millar has helped pioneer the Alpha course that has revived evangelical Christianity in Britain and worldwide. What is going on here is a quid pro quo for evangelicals who are furious over the appointment of Jeffrey John as Dean of St. Alban’s.

Perhaps ECUSA’s revisionist bishops could take a lesson from the Bishop of London’s Book of Inclusion about how to handle marginalized orthodox priests in the U.S. He has clearly taken the high road and is prepared to make compromises in the name of greater unity.

Stay tuned.