Truce collapses as Ingham closes church

Church of England Newspaper

Jan 8, 2003

The truce brokered by the Canadian House of Bishops on Oct 31 between Bishop Michael Ingham and traditionalists in the diocese of New Westminster has collapsed following the closure of Holy Cross Church in Abbotsford, British Columbia, by the Bishop.

On December 18, Bishop Ingham banned the Rev James Wagner, vicar of Holy Cross, from ministering to the three-year-old congregation of 50 forcing it to close. Archdeacon Ronald Harrison told the National Post Holy Cross brought the closure upon itself. At its October meeting, the New Westminster diocesan council voted to disestablish Holy Cross and terminated its funding for having requested alternative Episcopal oversight. Bishop Ingham told Holy Cross that funding would be restored if the congregation rescinded its request for alternative Episcopal oversight.

On December 5 the wardens of Holy Cross rebuffed Bishop Ingham saying they would remain part of the Anglican Communion in New Westminster [ACiNW], a traditionalist coalition of parishes within the diocese of New Westminster that comprise 23 per cent of the dioceses communicants, and would soldier on without diocesan financial involvement.

In response Bishop Ingham wrote to Mr Wagner on December 18 stating he may not undertake any continuing or permanent Anglican ministry for which a licence would be required The diocese also declined to offer another priest to Holy Cross.

Though it withstood having its funding cut off, Holy Cross could not continue without a priest and the mission closed. Holy Cross last service took place on Christmas Eve at Mr Wagners home.

By refusing to submit, Archdeacon Harrison said the mission had declared itself independent of the diocese forcing the decision upon Bishop Ingham.

Holy Cross senior warden Bill Glasgow denied the congregation wanted to be independent asking whether it is our church or the Diocese of New Westminster that has in fact declared itself independent.

The blessing of same-sex unions is the tip of the iceberg Mr Wagner told The Church of England Newspaper. The issues at stake were the revelation of God, inspiration of Scripture, uniqueness of Christ and the ministry of the Spirit.

Bishop Inghams introduction of same-sex blessings creates a sixth lesser sacrament that our Lord didn’t institute or practice, Mr Wagner noted.

The demand that Holy Cross accept this new theology and submit to Bishop Inghams unconditional authority was at odds with the Primates October 15 and the Canadian Bishops October 31 statements endorsing an adequate provision for Episcopal oversight for traditionalist congregations, Mr Wagner stated.

A spokesman for the ACiNW denied that the request for alternative oversight was, in itself, schismatic. Chris Hawley told The Church of England Newspaper: the request for alternate episcopal oversight is not leaving the Diocese of New Westminster or the Anglican Church of Canada, or a declaration of independence. Holy Cross wants to remain in the Anglican Church of Canada and the Anglican Communion.

Bishop Inghams new policy, critics charge, is at odds with his earlier statements of latitude. Addressing the Anglican Consultative Council in Hong Kong on September 18, 2002, on the situation within his diocese Bishop Ingham assured the ACC that, There will be no discrimination in terms of employment or advancement or licensing or ordination against any person who in conscience cannot support the decision of the diocese to support same-sex blessings.

His primary concern was to care for people of every point of view within the diocese; to make sure that everyone was pastorally supported.

Acting Warden Church of the Holy Cross, Abbotsford responds

Letter To the Editor

Church of England Newspaper

Dear Editor,

I would like to clarify a few points with regard to your on the closing of our Mission church, Church of the Holy Cross.

The Christmas Eve service which you referred to as taking place in Rev. Wagners home actually took place on Christmas Day. It was held there because our usual meeting place, a local recreation centre, was closed for the holiday.

Secondly, and more importantly, this was not our final service. We have continued to meet for Sunday morning services and have made arrangements for a clergy presence during these services.

Contrary to the declaration of Bishop Ingham, we consider ourselves genuine Anglicans and see no reason why we should cease to act as such. Church of the Holy Cross is a community, not simply a legal entity. Every decision we make is designed to keep us in full communion with the worldwide church. We have been in contact with a number of Bishops and at least one Primate to explain our situation and seek a way forward through this difficult time.

I feel strongly that this is a critical time for the Anglican Church of Canada. The unilateral declarations initiating rites which are contrary to the proclaimed mind of our national church and international communion display remarkable arrogance and insensitivity. The self-destructive actions taken by our leadership, such as the declaration of the closing of our church amidst a time when restraint and patience have been agreed upon, will eventually lead to the severe crippling and probable dissolution of our diocese. Clergy and laity, straight and gay are all fearful and confused as to the course mapped out and actions taken by the bishop of New Westminster.

Bishop Ingham has demonstrated by his words and actions that he has no interest is honouring the clear statement from the Primates, and the Anglican Church of Canada is unable to hold him to account for failing to do so. At a January 7, 2004 gathering of laity and clergy in the diocese of New Westminster which I attended, one question that was raised repeatedly to a visiting primate was: why won’t the Archbishop of Canterbury help us? Our options are running out.

Bill Glasgow

Acting Warden

Church of the Holy Cross, Abbotsford

formerly of the Diocese of New Westminster British Columbia, Canada

P.O. Box 102

Abbotsford, B.C.

V2S 4N9

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