Welby to GAFCON Archbishops, “I do not consider the appointment of a “Missionary Bishop” to be necessary”
by David W Virtue, VOL:
VIRTUEONLINE has obtained a copy of the letter sent by Archbishop Justin Welby to the GAFCON primates in which he argues that the appointment of a “missionary bishop” was not necessary.
The Church of England leader blasted the recent announcement by GAFCON primates to ordain the Rev. Andy Lines as a bishop, and said it was not necessary, and berated the Primates for “cross-border intervention” arguing that it was not a Church of England appointment and therefore carried no weight in the Church of England.
“Historically, there has been resistance to cross-border interventions and ordinations from the earliest years of the universal Church’s existence. Such weighty authority as canons 15 and 16 of the first Council of Nicaea in AD 325 are uncompromising in this regard and make reference to the “great disturbance and discords that occur” when bishops and their clergy seek to minister in this way.
“I would like to remind you of the 1988 Lambeth Conference resolution number 72 on episcopal responsibilities and diocesan boundaries. This resolution reaffirms the historical position of respect for diocesan boundaries and the authority of bishops within these boundaries. It also affirms that it is deemed inappropriate behavior for any bishops or priest of this communion to exercise episcopal or pastoral ministry within another diocese without first obtaining the permission and invitation of the ecclesial authority thereof. The conclusion of this resolution was that in order to maintain our unity, “it seems fair that we should speak of our mutual respect for one another, and the positions we hold, that serves as a sign of our unity.”
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